Product Description

The author's goal is to help overweight people lose weight while eating Mediterranean-style, ultimately leading to better health and longevity. The traditional Mediterranean diet is rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes, nuts, olive oil, fish, judicious amounts of wine, with minimal saturated fats. Scientists in the mid-20th century found that this diet, coupled with an active lifestyle, was associated with longer life and less chronic disease. Over the last 10 years, nutrition researchers have identified which components of the Mediterranean diet, and in what amounts, lead to the observed health and longevity benefits. Dr. Steve Parker (M.D.), enhances the traditional Mediterranean diet by incorporating these latest scientific breakthroughs.

The book begins with a review of nutrition and physiology, then discusses the the consequences of overweight and obesity, and the benefits of exercise. Next is a review of psychological issues surrounding body weight, and determination of an individual's reasonable goal weight. After this foundation is laid, Dr. Parker explains the details of his weight-loss plan. Most diet books allow for only one or two levels of caloric intake. Here, four different eating plans are laid out: 1100, 1500, 1900, and 2300 calories. The recommended caloric intake is determined by the individual's sex and current weight.

This is not a low-fat or low-carbohydrate diet. The eating plan approximates the traditional Mediterranean diet by suggesting the optimal intake of fruits, vegetables, nuts, legumes, whole grains, dairy products, olive oil, meat, chicken, eggs, and fish. Wine is optional. Dieters choose from an extensive list of doctor-approved foods that are readily available at supermarkets. Easy recipes are provided but are optional. The author specifies how much of which nutrients confer the health and longevity benefits. For example, fish is in the traditional Mediterranean diet, but how much and what kind yield the health benefits? The author's clear answer: two servings per week of, preferably, cold-water fatty fish such as trout, salmon, or tuna.

After explaining how physical activity helps with weight loss and prevention of weight regain, Dr. Parker teaches even the most sedentary reader how to implement a mild-to-moderate exercise program. He also emphasizes the importance of physical activity for prevention of diseases such as cancer, diabetes, dementia, and heart attacks.

A chapter is devoted to adaptation of the program by people with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Later chapters explain the pros and cons of weight-loss (bariatric) surgery and weight-loss pills and nutritional supplements. The last chapter discusses long-term weight control issues and prevention of weight regain. The appendix has a recommended reading list (bibliography), list of helpful Internet resources, and recipes. Two hundred specific scientific journal articles and books are listed as the basis for the author's opinions and recommendations. An index is provided.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #20148 in Books
• Published on: 2007-12-07
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Perfect Paperback
• 304 pages

Review
Obesity is an epidemic plaguing America, the rates outright doubling in the past 25 years. The Advanced Mediterranean Diet: Lose Weight, Feel Better, Live Longer presents the reader with proven 'Mediterranean Diet' - said to prolong life and reduce rates of chronic disease. It is not a diet for bland tastes either, trumping a focus on many things - whole grains, nuts, fruits, fish, wine, and much more. Dr. Steve Parker has nearly a quarter of a century of experience in practicing medicine, and has had a focus on effective weight loss strategies. Enhanced with indexes, bibliographies, quick and easy recipes, and more, The Advanced Mediterranean Diet: Lose Weight, Feel Better, Live Longer is highly recommended to anyone trying to get themselves into better shape and community library health collections. --Midwest Book Review

About the Author
Steve Parker, M.D., has 24 years' experience practicing Internal Medicine and counseling people on effective weight-loss strategies. He is also a medical school professor teaching students, interns, and residents. Dr. Parker maintains a full-time practice of medicine as a hospitalist in the Phoenix, Arizona, metropolitan area.

Customer Reviews

More than Just a Diet Book
The Advanced Mediterranean Diet is a great book and I can not recommend it highly enough for those looking for a change in the way they live their lives. The Advanced Mediterranean Diet is more than just a "diet" book, it provides detailed explanations of human physiology, explains in great detail the impact of different foods on the body. The Mediterranean diet is explained well, and the author does a fantastic job of highlighting the many benefits of it and how it can even reverse the effects of medical conditions like high blood pressure and diabetes. The book also puts a heavy emphasis on the importance of exercise, and even gives you a variety of ideas to keep exercising from becoming boring and tedious. On the Dieting side of things, this book offers four different dieting plans based off gender, current weight and activity level, ultimately giving you a diet that will produce results without leaving you starving. On top of all of this, the website for the book is great and offers an opportunity for interaction with the author via Dr. Parker's blog, which is updated regularly. All in all, it seems as if Dr. Parker has gone to great lengths to make The Advanced Mediterranean Diet a refection of his passion for making healthy living in our hustle bustle world both easily manageable and enjoyable. Once again I cannot recommend this book enough!!! Kudos, Dr. Parker!

A Comprehensive Plan to Live Longer!
As someone who has always struggled with weight, I am always looking for books on healthy eating plans that are based on facts and scientific studies. As a physician, I am also looking for books that I can recommend to my patients, no matter how much weight they want to lose or what other health problems they have. "The Advanced Mediterranean Diet" not only gave me a diet plan, it helped me to really understand how diet can help prevent and treat many diseases, even cancer - things I never learned in medical school! It is written in language everyone can understand and contains stories of real people who have been helped by the plan.

It also contains information on diet pills and bariatric surgery pros/cons, the importance of excercise, food choices and recipes that follow the plan (the Santa Fe soup is fantastic!).

I highly recommend this book as a comprehensive plan for everyone, no gimmicks or fad diets. This is a great plan for life!

Best Book about Diets
I am very familiar with diet books , This is the first book which makes it very easy and enjoyable to learn about the mediterranean diet. It is a joy to read , Dr.Parker has done a superp job in talking about what's on every person mind about diet.
Dr.Parker even touch on gastric bypass surgery and other ways to loose weight...the book has many tables and charts which make organizing someone's diet is very easy......it is a must read for any one serious about getting better way to eat and live healtheir...This book is a wonderful gift...