[Hyperlipidemias. Concern with the Mediterranean diet].

Prevention and treatment of dyslipidemias are major aims in the prevention of cardiovascular diseases. The primary therapeutic objective in secondary prevention should be to avoid vascular and cardiac complications as well as reducing or normalizing lipid levels. THE MEDITERRANEAN DIET: There is no single definition of the Mediterranean diet. In terms of nutriments, it can be defined as a diet poor in saturated and polyunsaturated fats but rich in oleic acid. Despite their low amount in the diet, omega-3 fatty acids are characteristic compounds of the Mediterranean diet as antioxidants of various sources and vitamins of the B group, in particular folates. BENEFICIAL EFFECT: Adoption of a Mediterranean diet results in a significant reduction of total and LDL-cholesterol with also a significant effect on triglycerides and a small positive or no effect on HDL-cholesterol. However, the Mediterranean diet has been shown to be cardioprotective (for instance, prevention of sudden death) through biological effects (probably induced by omega-3 fatty acids) independent of its effect on blood lipoproteins. PUBLIC HEALTH ISSUE: The association of these cardioprotective and beneficial effects on blood lipids, in addition to gastronomic properties, renders this type of diet extremely attractive for public health purposes.