A Mediterranean diet is high in vegetables, fruits, whole grains, and olive oil and low in meat, sweets, and saturated fat. It is linked to lower risks of cancer and relief of some symptoms and imbalances common among people with cancer.

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This section does not replicate the other information on this topic but provides additional details or context most relevant to professionals.

Clinical practice guidelines for professionals

It is recommended that primary care clinicians should counsel survivors to achieve a dietary pattern that is high in vegetables, fruits, whole grains, and legumes; low in saturated fats; and limited in alcohol consumption.

The 2021 NCCN survivorship care guidelines recommend that health professionals take these actions with cancer survivors, consistent with a Mediterranean diet:

  • Assess dietary pattern for daily intake of fruits, vegetables, and unrefined grains, as well as red and processed meats, alcohol, and processed foods or beverages with added fats and/or sugars.
  • All survivors should be encouraged to eat a diet that is at least 50% plant-based, with the majority of food being vegetables, fruit, and whole grains.

Recommended sources of dietary components:

  • Fat: plant sources such as olive or canola oil, avocados, seeds and nuts, and fatty fish
  • Carbohydrates: fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and legumes
  • Protein: poultry, fish, legumes, low-fat dairy foods, and nuts

Modes of action

Epigenetic changes

An epigenetic mechanism may explain how a Mediterranean diet leads to a decrease in inflammatory markers. Greater changes were found in the methylation of genes associated with inflammation and lower concentration of CRP and TNF-α among people with type 2 diabetes or cardiovascular risk factors who were given a Mediterranean diet intervention compared to a low-fat diet.1Arpón A, Riezu-Boj JI et al. Adherence to Mediterranean diet is associated with methylation changes in inflammation-related genes in peripheral blood cells. Journal of Physiology and Biochemistry. 2016 Aug;73(3):445-455.

Microbiome/metabolome changes

Diet can alter the microbiome, which in turn interacts with the immune system to affect health outcomes, possibly through modulation of the overall inflammatory state of the body terrain.

Strong evidence shows that switching from a diet with low fiber, low poly- and mono-unsaturated fatty acids, and greater saturated fatty acids to a Mediterranean diet leads to alterations in the gut microbiota. These changes are less associated with dysbiosis (dominance of taxa associated with disease) and more aligned with eubiosisdominance of microbial taxa associated with lower risk of disease. The mechanisms and interactions of the human microbiome with mental and physical health are immensely complex but largely involve metabolism of dietary components by the microbiota to produce metabolites which in turn interact with the immune and nervous systems to alter the body terrain in an ongoing dance of homeostasis. The Mediterranean diet is mentioned specifically in the context of encouraging a eubiotic state for the human gut microbiome.2García-Montero C, Fraile-Martínez O et al. Nutritional components in western diet versus Mediterranean diet at the gut microbiota-immune system interplay. implications for health and disease. Nutrients. 2021;13(2):699.

Most studies on the Mediterranean diet and its modulation of the microbiome have involved participants with generally healthy functioning immune systems. The interaction of diet, microbiome, and a pathologic immune system are discussed among HIV+ people.3Pastor-Ibáñez R, Blanco-Heredia J et al. Adherence to a supplemented Mediterranean diet drives changes in the gut microbiota of HIV-1-infected individuals. Nutrients. 2021;13(4):1141.

No difference was detected in the variation of gut microbiota within a Mediterranean-diet group or between the Mediterranean-diet group and control-diet group after a year-long intervention of a Mediterranean diet in a randomized controlled trial. However, researchers then shifted to a cross-sectional study of the participants, which revealed several significant associations between specific factors including, diet, nutrients, and BMI, but not age or cognition and the relative abundance of specific taxa with pro- or anti-inflammatory profiles.4van Soest APM, Hermes GDA et al. Associations between pro- and anti-inflammatory gastro-intestinal microbiota, diet, and cognitive functioning in Dutch healthy older adults: the NU-AGE study. Nutrients. 2020 Nov 12;12(11):3471.

The Mediterranean diet’s effects on colorectal cancer risk are summarized in a narrative.5Donovan MG, Selmin OI, Doetschman TC, Romagnolo DF. Mediterranean diet: prevention of colorectal cancer. Frontiers in Nutrition. 2017 Dec 5;4:59.

The endocannabinoid system may play a role in the connection between the Mediterranean diet, microbiome changes, and better metabolic regulation.6Tagliamonte S, Laiola M et al. Mediterranean diet consumption affects the endocannabinoid system in overweight and obese subjects: possible links with gut microbiome, insulin resistance and inflammation. European Journal of Nutrition. 2021;60(7):3703-3716.

Preclinical evidence

Notable preclinical evidence is presented here. Clinical evidence is summarized in How a Mediterranean diet help you? What the research says ›

Your microbiome

Helpful link for professionals

Mirabelli M, Chiefari E et al. Mediterranean diet nutrients to turn the tide against insulin resistance and related diseases. Nutrients. 2020 Apr 12;12(4):1066.

Keep reading about a Mediterranean diet

Authors

Andrew Jackson, ND

Research Associate
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Andrew Jackson, ND, serves as a CancerChoices research associate. As a naturopathic physician practicing in Kirkland, Washington, he teaches critical evaluation of the medical literture at Bastyr University in Kenmore, Washington. His great appreciation of scientific inquiry and the scientific process has led him to view research with a critical eye.

Andrew Jackson, ND Research Associate

Nancy Hepp, MS

Lead Researcher
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Ms. Hepp is a researcher and communicator who has been writing and editing educational content on varied health topics for more than 20 years. She serves as lead researcher and writer for CancerChoices and also served as the first program manager. Her graduate work in research and cognitive psychology, her master’s degree in instructional design, and her certificate in web design have all guided her in writing and presenting information for a wide variety of audiences and uses. Nancy’s service as faculty development coordinator in the Department of Family Medicine at Wright State University also provided experience in medical research, plus insights into medical education and medical care from the professional’s perspective.

Nancy Hepp, MS Lead Researcher

Curator and reviewer

Laura Pole, MSN, RN, OCNS

Senior Clinical Consultant
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Laura Pole is senior clinical consultant for CancerChoices. Laura is an oncology clinical nurse specialist who has been providing integrative oncology clinical care, navigation, consultation, and education services for over 40 years. She is the co-creator and co-coordinator of the Integrative Oncology Navigation Training at Smith Center for Healing and the Arts in Washington, DC. Laura also manages the “Media Watch Cancer News That You Can Use” listserv for Smith Center/Commonweal. In her role as a palliative care educator and consultant, Laura has served as statewide Respecting Choices Faculty for the Virginia POST (Physician Orders for Scope of Treatment) Collaborative as well as provided statewide professional education on palliative and end-of-life care for the Virginia Association for Hospices and Palliative Care.

For CancerChoices, Laura curates content and research, networks with clinical and organizational partners, brings awareness and education of integrative oncology at professional and patient conferences and programs, and translates research into information relevant to the patient experience as well as clinical practice.

Laura sees her work with CancerChoices as a perfect alignment of all her passions, knowledge and skills in integrative oncology care. She is honored to serve you.

Laura Pole, MSN, RN, OCNS Senior Clinical Consultant

Last update: December 12, 2023

Last full literature review: November 2021

CancerChoices provides information about integrativein cancer care, a patient-centered approach combining the best of conventional care, self care and evidence-informed complementary care in an integrated plan cancer care. We review complementaryin cancer care, complementary care involves the use of therapies intended to enhance or add to standard conventional treatments; examples include supplements, mind-body approaches such as yoga or psychosocial therapy, and acupuncture therapies and self-care lifestyle actions and behaviors that may impact cancer outcomes; examples include eating health-promoting foods, limiting alcohol, increasing physical activity, and managing stress practices to help patients and professionals explore and integrate the best combination of conventionalthe cancer care offered by conventionally trained physicians and most hospitals; examples are chemotherapy, surgery, and radiotherapy and complementary therapies and practices for each person.

Our staff have no financial conflicts of interest to declare. We receive no funds from any manufacturers or retailers gaining financial profit by promoting or discouraging therapies mentioned on this site.

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