Table of Contents
- Introduction
- Co-Hosts for this Episode
- Overview
- Related Resources
- Premium Content
- Detailed Study Notes
- Transcript
Introduction
The Lyon Diet Heart Study (LDHS) is often cited as one of the pivotal studies that helped establish the Mediterranean diet as a recognized and recommended dietary pattern for cardiovascular health.
A clinical trial conducted in Lyon, France, the LDHS showed significant reduction in cardiac death could be achieved in secondary prevention patients using a dietary intervention.
Conducted between 1992 to 1996, the study involved 605 participants who had previously experienced a heart attack (myocardial infarction).
LDHS showed an incredible 75% lower risk of cardiac death in these patients. This remarkable reduction was unexpected and led to considerable attention from the medical and scientific communities.
LDHS is interesting to dig into for several reasons. First, it’s clever methodology was able to account for some challenges of doing nutrition research. Second, the dietary intervention, whilst named as a “Mediterranean diet”, should perhaps be considered differently.
In this episode, Alan and Danny dig into all the details, highlighting some important lessons we can take from LDHS.
Co-hosts for this Episode
Dr. Alan Flanagan has a PhD in nutrition from the University of Surrey, where his doctoral research focused on circadian rhythms, feeding, and chrononutrition.
This work was based on human intervention trials. He also has a Masters in Nutritional Medicine from the same institution.
Dr. Flanagan is a regular co-host of Sigma Nutrition Radio. He also produces written content for Sigma Nutrition, as part of his role as Research Communication Officer.
Danny Lennon has a master’s degree (MSc.) in Nutritional Sciences from University College Cork, and he is the founder of Sigma Nutrition.
Danny is currently a member of the Advisory Board of the Sports Nutrition Association, the global regulatory body responsible for the standardisation of best practice in the sports nutrition profession.
Overview
- Overview Details
- Background Context Leading to LDHS
- Participants & Intervention
- Control of Bias in LDHS
- Nutrient Changes in Diets
- Results of LDHS
- Interpretation & Placing in Context
Related Resources
- Receive our free weekly email: the Sigma Synopsis
- Discussed publications:
- de Lorgeril et al., 1999 – Mediterranean Diet, Traditional Risk Factors, and the Rate of Cardiovascular Complications After Myocardial Infarction
- de Lorgeril et al., 1996 – Effect of a mediterranean type of diet on the rate of cardiovascular complications in patients with coronary artery disease insights into the cardioprotective effect of certain nutriments
- de Lorgeril et al., 1994 -Mediterranean alpha-linolenic acid-rich diet in secondary prevention of coronary heart disease
- Related podcast episodes:
Premium Content
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