Carotenoids and Cardiovascular Diseases

Cardiovascular disease alarmingly increases day by day due to malnutrition and unhealthy lifestyle. Dietary intervention may be the initial step for CVD prevention but great importance should be attributed to the life style improvement: increase of physical activity, avoidance of tobacco exposure, limiting alcohol intake and consumption of healthy diet containing monounsaturated fats, vegetables fiber, cereals, essential oils and fruits. It is generally considered that “prevention is better than cure” and recent scientific data suggested the carotenoids as preventing agent for several chronic disorders. Carotenoids are well known for their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities. Clinical trials displayed a decrease in inflammatory disease risk after carotenoids supplementation. Oxidative pressure and irritation is major contributor for the development of cardiovascular diseases. Numerous epidemiologic studies reveled that cheap means to prevent and treat cardiac problems is the use of antioxidants. Mixed results have been found from interventional trials which are effective and many are invalid findings. These findings also suggested danger in certain vulnerable populations. The purpose of this section is to review the works existing around the practice of carotenoids in the action of cardiovascular disease.