the good news: chronic disease is preventable and reversibleing cultures, such as the Okinawan centenarians, Nicoyans in Costa
Rica, Sardinians in Italy, Seventh Day Adventists in the greater Los
Angeles area, and others from around the world—or Blue Zone
populations (see The Blue Zone by Dan Buettner, 2008). These
cultures are examples of the fact that it is possible, practical, and
pleasurable to lead healthy and functional lives into advanced age,
with reduced chronic disease, if only we would slow down, edu-
cate ourselves, and apply some basic principles.
What’s a Good Diet?
Top experts in global health agree. In fact, the WHO recommen-
dations on diet are almost exactly the same as the Unified Dietary
Guidelines (UDG) outlined by the American Heart Association,
American Cancer Society, American Dietetic Association, American
Academy of Pediatrics, National Institutes of Health, and American
Society of Clinical Nutrition.^2
WHO Recommendations on Diet- Achieve energy balance at a healthy weight.
- Limit energy intake from total fats and shift fat consumption
away from saturated fat to unsaturated fats and toward the
elimination of transfatty acids. - Increase consumption of fruit and vegetables, legumes, whole
grains, and nuts. - Eliminate the intake of free sugars.
- Limit salt (sodium) consumption from all sources. Use iodized
salt.
Global Strategy on Diet, Physical Activity and Health: Diet, World Health Organization.
http://www.who.int/dietphysicalactivity/diet/en/index.html
(accessed Feb. 26, 2011)