Adherence to a Mediterranean diet and plasma concentrations of lipid peroxidation in premenopausal women

Background A Mediterranean diet has been associated with a reduced risk of cardiovascular disease and mortality A possible mechanism is through a decrease in lipid peroxidation (LPO) how ever evidence linking the Mediterranean diet with lower LPO in premenopausal women is sparse Objective We investigated whether adherence to a Mediterranean diet was associated with lower LPO concentrations in premeno pausal women Design Two hundred fifty nine healthy women aged 18-44 y were followed for <= 2 menstrual cycles Plasma concentrations of F-2 isoprostane (8 iso PGF2 alpha) 9 hydroxyoctadecadieneoic acid (9 HODE) and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) were measured <= 8 times per cycle at visits scheduled by using fertility monitors Diet was assessed <= 4 times per cycle by using 24 h dietary recalls The alternate Mediterranean Diet Score (aMED) (range 0-9) was calculated on the basis of Intake of vegetables legumes fruit nuts whole grains red and processed merit fish and alcohol and the ratio of monounsaturated to saturated fat Results A 1 unit increase in aMED was associated with a 4 50% decrease in 8 iso PGF2 alpha concentrations (95% CI -6 32% -2 65%) and a 14 01% decrease in 9 HODE concentrations (95% CI -17 88% -9 96%) after adjustment for energy intake age race body mass index plasma ascorbic acid and serum cholesterol No significant association was observed between aMED and TBARS A 1 unit Increase in aMED was associated with a 1 39% Increase (95% CI 0 07% 2 72%) in plasma ascorbic acid concentrations Conclusions Adherence to a Mediterranean diet is associated with lower LPO and higher ascorbic ricid concentrations These results confirm that decreased LPO is a plausible mechanism linking a Mediterranean diet to reduced cardiovascular disease risk Am J Clin Nutr 2010 92 1461-7