Nutraceuticals in the Prevention and Therapeutic Treatment of Cardiovascular and Cerebrovascular Disease

Abstract

Purpose: 

This review overviews and highlights arterial stiffening as a key physiological process and target for the prevention and/or lowering of cardio- and cerebrovascular disease (collectively CVD) risk.

Methods: 

We identified nutraceutical approaches from randomized controlled trials and discussed the associated mechanisms by which these compounds lower age-related arterial stiffness. Age-related CVD are the leading cause of mortality in modernized societies. Arterial dysfunction, specifically stiffening of the large elastic arteries during midlife, is a key physiological process resulting in increased CVD risk. Current pharmaceutical approaches for lowering age-related arterial stiffness have limited efficacy, thus highlighting the need to identify novel approaches for lowering arterial stiffness and thereby CVD risk. Lifestyle interventions are a historical first-line approach to prevent and/or lower the adverse arterial stiffening effects observed with aging. Nutraceutical interventions, defined as a food or part of a food providing health benefits, are a nonpharmacological, novel lifestyle approach to lower age-associated arterial stiffness. Therefore, identifying nutraceutical approaches to lower CVD risk is clinically significant.

Summary: 

This review provides a basic, yet essential, understanding for emerging nutraceutical strategies for the prevention and therapeutic treatment of CVD.

In Brief

Higher cardiovascular and cerebrovascular disease risk with aging is associated with stiffening of the large elastic arteries. Lifestyle interventions, including nutraceuticals, are a first-line defense to lower arterial stiffness. This review overviews the emerging cardioprotective effects of nutraceuticals to lower arterial stiffness and future cardiovascular and cerebrovascular disease risk.