Before you start scratching your head, there are some basic principles about this diet you need to know and this article will explain the Mediterrannean diet in that fashion.

Once you're through with that brief though thorough piece you should look at this diagram of the Mediterranean Diet Food Pyramid. Note: There is a list there of the principal food items you should also run your eye over.

A definite link from our western diet to prominent diseases such as cancer, stroke, heart attacks and diabetes has been identified at the University of Granada, Spain.

This new study brings attention to the latin, Quod me nutruit me destruit. What nourishes me, kills me.

When you consider that almost 80% of western diseases can be eradicated (meaning heart attacks, strokes, blood pressure, obesity, cancer) the prevention of cancer by adopting the Mediterranean diet has been proven by these researchers.

Scientist have been working closely with fruits and vegetables, olive oils, and antioxidants and their affects on cancer cells in the pancreas. The primary ingredients found in the Mediterranean diet can positively affect the cell membranes.

"We can dramatically reduce issues such as heart attacks, diabets type 2, strokes, high blood pressure and high cholesterol simply by adopting a healthier lifestyle, regular exercise and a Mediterranean type diet."

A direct link has been identified between what we consume and our lack of resilience to pancreatitis and many forms of cancer. The outcomes of successful disease prevention worldwide in Western societies is staggering. With the inclusion of foods from the Mediterranean diet pyramid, and the resultant ability to remove the unwanted current unhealthy lifestyle, we would near eradicate what is seen to be a potential pandemic of illnesses on the Western world. Compare this to the sobering thought that WHO (World Health Organization) predicts that diabetes type 2 sufferers will probably double over the next 15 years if our unhealthy diet selections and poor lifestyle choices continue.

Perhaps that piece of information wasn't enough to have you thinking about adjusting to new ways of eating. It would only be an advantage to read more and practice the mediterranean diet. Whatever you do, don't be foolish enough to do nothing!

Cancers can be reduced by up to 40% and improve heart health by a significant 80% simply by healthy eating. A Mediterranean type diet can have an extremely positive outcome on membranes of cells responsible for some cancers with simple inclusions of vegetables, fruits, extra virgin olive oil, fish oils and grains. Cancer? Diabetes? Heart attack? No thanks. I think I'll skip the cardiac bypass and chemotherapy and stick with a Greek Salad.