Abstracto

Managing dyslipidaemia with functional foods and dietary supplements

Sheriff Bill

Cardiovascular disease risk factor dyslipidaemia is characterised by elevated blood levels of total or LDL cholesterol and triglycerides, or lower HDL cholesterol levels. Dyslipidaemia is very common throughout the world, and many patients are using non-pharmacological methods instead of pharmaceuticals to control their lipid levels. To lower cardiovascular risk in all patients, lifestyle modification should be emphasised. It can be started before pharmacotherapy in the primary prevention of cardiovascular disease. There has been research done on numerous natural health products and functional foods for lipidlowering potential. The biochemical effects of soy protein, green tea, plant sterols, probiotic yoghurt, marine-derived omega-3 fatty acids, and red yeast rice on plasma lipid levels are well supported. Other products like seaweed, bebeerine, hawthorn, and garlic might have a little therapeutic effect in some patient populations. Even while none of these products can lower cholesterol levels as much as statins, most of them are safe to use alongside other pharmacological treatments and lifestyle changes. There is little conclusive proof that natural health supplements sold to people with dyslipidaemia, like policosanol, guggulsterone, and resveratrol, have a positive effect on biochemistry. In order to evaluate relationships with cardiovascular end points, additional research in this area is necessary. This should involve sizable, high-quality randomised controlled trials with protracted follow-up times [1-5].