Monsieur Cholesterol

     Ancel Keys was known for 2 things: creating the K-rations used by troops in battle and the Seven Countries Study that gave rise to the Mediterranean Diet.  In his multicountry epidemiological longitudinal study he studied the relationships between lifestyle and diet to coronary heart disease and stroke.  He wondered why coronary deaths in the United States and northern Europe greatly exceeded those in southern Europe and suspected that serum cholesterol was the main cause.  And that is why the maitre d' of the small Brussels hotel that he would visit always greeted him with the moniker, "Monsieur Cholesterol."

     It was while Dr. Keys was a professor in the School of Public Health at the University of Minnesota and the director of the Laboratory of Physiological Hygiene there that he investigated the possible link between eating habits of those living along the Mediterranean coast and better health.  And while some have refuted his methodology, the facts are clear.  Places like southern Italy are home to more centenarians than anywhere else on earth.  So while Dr. Keys enjoyed living in the Twin Cities during July and August, his other residence was near Naples, Italy.  He lived to be just two months short of his 101st birthday.

     The Mediterranean Diet is low in saturated fats and high in monounsaturates and dietary fiber.  Combined with physical activity (and a daily glass of wine) following the diet can lead to a long and healthy life.    Here is the food pyramid if you would like to give the Mediterranean Diet a try: