A Mediterranean Diet Nutrition Education Program for the Reduction of Cardiovascular Disease Risk in the Southeastern U.S.

A 12-week, randomized nutrition intervention for the reduction of cardiovascular disease risk factors in a high-risk population in the southeastern United States. The primary objective of this pilot study was to assess the efficacy of a Mediterranean diet intervention (education + extra-virgin olive oil (EVOO) and mixed nut supplementation) versus that of an American Heart Association (AHA) nutrition intervention (education) on serum blood lipid levels as markers for cardiovascular disease risk. Researchers conducting this trial hypothesize that a greater reduction will be seen in cardiovascular disease risk factors in the Mediterranean diet intervention.