Role of Nutraceuticals in the Prevention and Treatment of Hypertension and Cardiovascular Diseases

Abstract

Introduction: Hypertension is the most prevalent risk factor for cardiovascular disease, including coronary heart disease, heart failure, myocardial infarction, stoke, end-stage renal disease and erectile dysfunction. Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are the leading cause of death worldwide, and although their etiology were multifactorial, eating habits have been associated with its development. There has been a great deal of interest in studies associating the beneficial effects of food with prevention and treatment of many diseases. Prevention and treatment of diseases can be provided by nutraceuticals, which are defined as foods or part of food that provides health benefits, as well as by isolated nutrients and dietary supplements. Methodology: Narrative review of literature. The search for the articles was done in the databases PubMed, Cochrane, Virtual Health Library and academic google, without language restriction or period of publication. The descriptors used in the search strategy were: nutraceuticals, diet, treatment, clinical trials, cardiovascular diseases and hypertension. In addition to these, the terms “flavonoids”, “vitamins”, “lycopene” and “garlic” were used. Objective: In this review, we discuss if there are benefits in the use of nutraceuticals for the prevention and treatment of cardiovascular diseases, and its relationship with risk reduction and maintenance of physical and mental well-being. Results and conclusions: Vitamins, garlic, lycopene and tomato have already been shown to be able to reduce the blood pressure and prevent or delay cardiovascular diseases; however, further studies are needed to confirm their effects, especially with respect to supplementation in humans.