Unlocking the Power of the Mediterranean Diet with Dr. Simon Poole

We were honored to host many world-renowned health and wellness experts at our Manassas, VA tasting room and retail shop for our first annual Training Event. The experts presented on a variety of topics and we would like to share their wisdom with you!

Dr. Simon Poole has three decades experience as a medical doctor, teacher and researcher in Cambridge. Dr. Poole literally “wrote the book” on EVOO with Olive Oil for Dummies with co-author Amy Riolo. He also wrote The Real Mediterranean Diet and champions this way of eating to fight inflammation and protect from heart disease, cancers and dementia.

Unlocking the Power of the Mediterranean Diet with Dr. Simon Poole:

Olive Oil At The Heart of Healthy Living

Rooted in centuries of tradition, the Mediterranean Diet isn't just a meal plan, it's a holistic lifestyle. Over the past 60 years, research has consistently shown that it reduces the risk of heart disease, cancers, cognitive decline, and inflammation.

The heart of the Mediterranean diet is extra virgin olive oil (EVOO). EVOO is rich in polyphenols and oleocanthal, compounds with powerful anti-inflammatory properties. These substances help reduce inflammation, lower blood sugar, and protect LDL cholesterol from oxidation, a lead factor in heart disease.

Quality Matters

Dr. Poole points out that high-grade EVOO contains polyphenols exceeding 250 mg per kilogram, which is recognized by the European Food Safety Authority for health claims. “I look for the harvest date to make sure it’s fresh and then I look for the polyphenol count, shares Dr. Poole. “I trust Laconiko because they share the certificate of analysis and their Estate EVOO exceeds the minimum containing 538 mg/kg.”

Measuring Health with Fingers, Feet, and Forks

Dr. Poole advises that health can be measured by “fingers, feet, and forks.” Avoid smoking (fingers), stay active (feet), and eat nourishing foods (forks). He also emphasizes the importance of mental health, good sleep, and avoiding harmful substances as pillars of a healthy lifestyle.

Simple Steps to Better Health

1. Adopt the Mediterranean Diet: Fill your fridge with whole grains, fruits, vegetables, nuts, herbs, seeds, and high-quality EVOO. Limit red meat and ultra-processed foods.

2. Increase Daily Activity: Take walks, stand more, or try light exercises. Even minor activity boosts overall health.

3. Build Community: Connect with friends and family, as social support enhances well-being.

New England Journal of Medicine

Many people ask if there is scientific evidence supporting the health benefits of the Mediterranean diet and EVOO. The gold standard is the 2013 PREDIMED study, published in The New England Journal of Medicine. It was a large-scale, randomized trial investigating the effects of a Mediterranean diet on cardiovascular disease (CVD) prevention.

The study compared a standard low-fat diet to a Mediterranean diet supplemented with EVOO and nuts. Results showed a 30% reduction in heart disease, stroke, and early death, with even greater decreases in diabetes and breast cancer risk. The study’s early stopping after 7 years reflected the powerful evidence supporting EVOO’s health effects.