A Heart-Healthy Diet for Cardiovascular Disease Prevention: Where Are We Now?

Abstract

Purpose of Review The relationship between cardiovascular health and diet is evolving. Lifestyle modifications including diet changes are the primary approach in managing cardiometabolic risk factors. Thus, understanding different diets and their impact on cardiovascular health is important in guiding primary and secondary prevention of cardiovascular disease (CVD). Yet, there are many barriers and limitations to adopting a heart healthy diet. Recent Findings Diets rich in fruits, vegetables, legumes, whole grains, and lean protein sources, with minimization/avoidance of processed foods, trans-fats, and sugar sweetened beverages, are recommended by prevention guidelines. The Mediterranean, DASH, and plant-based diets have all proven cardioprotective in varying degrees and are endorsed by professional healthcare societies, while other emerging diets such as the ketogenic diet and intermittent fasting require more long-term study. The effects of diet on the gut microbiome and on cardiovascular health have opened a new path for precision medicine to improve cardiometabolic risk factors. The effects of certain dietary metabolites, such as trimethylamine N-oxide, on cardiometabolic risk factors, along with the changes in the gut microbiome diversity and gene pathways in relation to CVD management, are being explored. Summary In this review, we provide a comprehensive up-to-date overview on established and emerging diets in cardiovascular health. We discuss the effectiveness of various diets and most importantly the approaches to nutritional counseling where traditional and non-traditional approaches are being practiced, helping patients adopt heart healthy diets. We address the limitations to adopting a heart healthy diet regarding food insecurity, poor access, and socioeconomic burden. Lastly, we discuss the need for a multidisciplinary team-based approach, including the role of a nutrition specialist, in implementing culturally-tailored dietary recommendations. Understanding the limitations and finding ways to overcome the barriers in implementing heart-healthy diets will take us miles in the path to CVD prevention and management.

Genetic, lifestyle and metabolic factors contributing to cardiovascular disease in the Italian population: a literature review

“…On the contrary, dietary patterns rich in fruits, vegetables, legumes, whole grains, and lean protein sources, with low consumption of processed foods, trans-fats, sugar-sweetened beverages, sodium, and alcohol have proven cardioprotective effects ( 9 , 10 , 43 ). The MedDiet, rich in fruits, vegetables, legumes, nuts, whole grains, and unsaturated fatty acids, is a dietary model widely known for its positive effects on health, including CVD prevention ( 1 , 9 , 10 ).…”

Initiatives to Reduce the Content of Sodium in Food Products and Meals and Improve the Population’s Health

“…Its main assumptions include at least four or five meals a day composed of unprocessed fruits and vegetables, cereal products, low-fat dairies, fish and nuts. The total supply of salt with the DASH diet should not exceed 2300 mg sodium/day [ 42 ]. For DASH users, salt intake increased up to 8.8 g/day did not significantly increase their blood pressure levels [ 41 ].…”

Electrophilic Compounds in the Human Diet and Their Role in the Induction of the Transcription Factor NRF2

“…Eating certain diets can exacerbate many diseases such as cancer, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and high blood pressure. Conversely, some diets have been shown to reduce the likelihood of developing certain diseases [ 3 ]. Switching to a plant-based diet has been shown to have several benefits, such as reducing the risk of cancer, helping to cure certain diseases, and protecting against certain diseases [ 4 ].…”