Nutrition Protocols for the Prevention of Cardiovascular Disease

Abstract

Cardiovascular disease is the number one cause of death in the United States, and prevention of cardiovascular disease is at the top of the public health agenda. Evidence shows that reducing the incidence of coronary heart disease with diet is possible. More than a half century of evidence from epidemiologic, experimental, and clinical trials pinpoints a positive correlation between lifestyle and dietary factors as they relate to blood lipids, blood pressure, and coronary heart disease risk, and a number of evidence-based nutrition guidelines have emerged. The National Cholesterol Education Program's Therapeutic Lifestyle Changes diet includes unsaturated fats, fiber, and plant sterols/stanols. The whole foods approach incorporates increased consumption of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and fish; and the American Heart Association guidelines emphasize functional foods like soy protein, nuts, and alcohol. These guidelines display the rationale for nutrition intervention as a primary prevention for cardiovascular disease. In addition, body weight, body mass index, waist circumference, and waist-to-hip ratio are examined as risk factors for cardiovascular disease. This article highlights key nutrients and lifestyle factors in preventing cardiovascular disease and identifies practical applications for clinicians.

Fatty acid composition and fat content in milk from cows grazing in the Alpine region

“…Milk and milk derivatives are important sources of beneficial monounsaturated FA (MUFA) and polyunsaturated FA (PUFA) [15][16][17][18][19]. In particular, linoleic acid (cis-9,cis-12-octadecadienoic acid), α-linolenic acid (cis-9,cis-12,cis-15-octadecatrienoic acid) and their positional and geometric isomers are the main constituents of PUFA.…”

Effect of morin, a flavonoid against DOCA-salt hypertensive rats: a dose dependent study

“…In recent years, dietary agents such as increased consumption of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and fish have been shown to be important in the control of CVD including hypertension [12] . Flavonoids are polyphenolic compounds that can be found in dietary components such as food products, beverages and herbal medicines with different health benefits shown in a large number of studies [13] .…”

The flavonoid morin restores blood pressure and lipid metabolism in DOCA-salt hypertensive rats

“…9 Several cohort studies suggest that generous consumption of fruits and vegetables has been associated with reduced risk of CVD including hypertension. 10 Morin (3,5,7,2 ′ ,4 ′ -pentahydroxyflavone) is a flavonoid that belongs to the class of flavonols, which is widely distributed in plants and foods of plant origin; 9 it is especially abundant in guava leaves, 11 onion, and apple. 12 Morin has been reported to possess a variety of biological properties including antioxidant, 13 antiallergic, 14 anti-inflammatory, and anticarcinogenic effects.…”