Nutraceuticals and atherosclerosis: human trials.

Abstract in brief

• The text discusses how modern lifestyle factors like sedentary habits and diets high in saturated fats and sugars contribute to obesity, atherosclerosis, and cardiovascular disease, emphasizing the importance of healthy diets such as the Mediterranean diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and healthy fats.
• It highlights that certain nutrients and phytochemicals found in fruits, vegetables, and wine—such as fiber, vitamins, antioxidants, and omega-3 fatty acids—are linked to reduced cardiovascular risks, and that combining drug treatments with nutritional strategies, including nutraceuticals, shows promise in preventing or managing atherosclerosis.
• However, the effectiveness of some antioxidants in cardiovascular health remains uncertain, as some large clinical trials have not confirmed their protective effects, suggesting that interactions between these natural compounds might influence their overall impact on heart disease.