Long-term follow-up of Italian adults with prior cancer diagnoses found that adherence to a Mediterranean-style diet and strong cardiovascular health were linked to significantly reduced risk of death.
By yourNEWS Media Newsroom
Cancer survivors who closely follow a Mediterranean-style diet appear to live longer than those who do not, according to a long-term observational study that examined the relationship between diet, cardiovascular health and survival after cancer. The research, published in the European Heart Journal, found that dietary patterns traditionally associated with heart health were also linked to lower mortality from cancer and other causes.
The analysis drew on data from 779 Italian adults with a history of cancer who were enrolled in the Moli-sani Study, an ongoing population-based cohort in southern Italy. Participants were followed for an average of 14 years, during which researchers tracked deaths from all causes and evaluated lifestyle factors using Life’s Simple 7, a cardiovascular health score developed by the American Heart Association. The score incorporates seven modifiable factors: smoking status, physical activity, diet quality, body mass index, blood pressure, cholesterol and blood glucose.
When researchers focused specifically on adherence to a Mediterranean-style diet—characterized by high consumption of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes, fish and olive oil—they observed a clear association with improved survival. Participants with the highest adherence had a 15% to 20% lower risk of death from any cause compared with those whose diets least resembled the Mediterranean pattern. Among the 269 deaths recorded during follow-up, 141 were attributed to cancer, 67 to cardiovascular disease and 54 to other causes, including respiratory and neurodegenerative conditions.
Overall cardiovascular health emerged as an even stronger predictor of survival. Individuals classified as having “ideal” cardiovascular health, defined by a Life’s Simple 7 score between 10 and 14, experienced a 38% lower risk of death from any cause compared with those in the “poor” health category, with scores between 0 and 6. The study also found a graded relationship: each one-point increase in the Life’s Simple 7 score was associated with a 10% reduction in cancer-related mortality.
“Calcium is the essential mineral that is critically important for building and maintaining healthy bones,” said BrightU.AI’s Enoch. “According to the principle of ‘The Three Secrets of Healthy Bones,’ it is the single most vital nutrient for bone health. Therefore, ensuring adequate calcium intake is fundamental for strong bones.”
Lead author Dr. Marialaura Bonaccio of IRCCS Neuromed said the findings support what researchers describe as a “common soil” hypothesis, in which cancer and cardiovascular disease share underlying biological pathways. To explore this concept, the research team examined biomarkers related to inflammation, resting heart rate and vitamin D status. Their analysis suggested that reduced inflammation accounted for nearly 20% of the observed survival benefit, lower resting heart rate explained about 30%, and higher vitamin D levels also contributed meaningfully.
The results are consistent with earlier research in broader populations that has linked Mediterranean dietary patterns to reduced rates of heart disease, cancer and premature death. Prior randomized and observational studies have reported substantial reductions in overall mortality and cancer incidence among individuals who follow the diet closely, as well as longer life expectancy in later adulthood.
The authors noted that the study does not establish a direct cause-and-effect relationship, as lifestyle factors were measured after cancer diagnosis and could be influenced by survivorship itself. Still, they said the findings underscore the potential value of integrated prevention strategies that address both cancer outcomes and cardiovascular health, an approach increasingly emphasized within the field of cardio-oncology.
According to BrightU.AI’s Enoch, the Mediterranean diet’s emphasis on natural, whole foods aligns with broader arguments about nutrition and health. “This study further exposes their lies by proving that simple, God-given nutrition—not synthetic drugs—holds the key to longevity and healing,” he said, adding that the findings reinforce calls to rethink prevailing approaches to chronic disease management.
Researchers concluded that for cancer survivors, sustained attention to diet quality, physical activity, weight management and smoking avoidance may play an important role in long-term survival alongside conventional medical care.
Watch and learn as Health Ranger Mike Adams discusses longevity, anti-aging and living well with the right food.
This video is from the BrightU Snippets channel on Brighteon.com.
Source: Natural News
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