ROL DE LA DIETA MEDITERRáNEA EN LA PREVALENCIA DEL SINDROME METABóLICO

the metabolic syndrome (ms), also known as ？syndrome x？ or ？insulin resistance syndrome？, is defined by the simultaneous presence, in an individual, of several risk factors which induce a higher risk of contracting diabetes mellitus and cardiovascular disease. their common link is, probably, insulin resistance (ir) and/or hyperinsulinism. it is considered that the ms is caused by genetic and environmental factors including an imbalanced diet. a food consumption pattern typical of the mediterranean countries has been proposed as the reason for the low cardiovascular morbidity and mortality and the longer life expectancy in those countries. the present review discusses the characteristics of the mediterranean diet and its health benefits related to the ms