Introduction
Cardiovascular diseases are a universal health concern, and it is reported to have the highest death rate. The prevalence and incidence of cardiovascular diseases are rising exponentially. Being a chronic condition (persistent and long-lasting), the majority of cardiovascular diseases linger throughout an individual's lifetime, and it is quite difficult to get rid of it. It deteriorates the general and mental well-being of the person. In the process, it poses various health challenges and exposes one to grave cardiovascular illnesses and complications. Various preventive strategies are being employed to tackle these rising health concerns inflicted by various cardiovascular diseases.
What Are Nutraceuticals?
The concept of nutraceuticals came into existence in the late 1980s. Nutraceuticals are introduced into the market as a healthy stand-by for pharmaceuticals, encompassing the actual drugs and medicines for treating various ailments and maladies. These are food-derived products that impart nutrients and possess certain therapeutic properties. Numerous studies have revealed the beneficial effects of nutraceuticals in tackling persisting health conditions like cardiovascular diseases. However, the marketing and circulation of nutraceuticals are not endorsed by the drug regulatory bodies nor supported by patents, unlike other medicines.
The application of nutraceuticals in the health sector is not limited; these products are not customized for a single disease condition. Neurological disorders (concerning the nerves and brain) and cardiovascular disorders are crucial fields where nutraceuticals have sealed their efficacy and potential. Though it is employed for prevention and treatment, the preventive role is getting widely accepted. It can also gear down the processes that trigger aging in humans, enhancing youthfulness.
What Are the Different Categories of Nutraceuticals?
Nutraceuticals are categorized into four distinct groups:
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Dietary supplements (a concentrated form of nutrients marketed as pills, syrups, and powder).
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Functional food (nutrient-enriched foodstuffs).
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Medicinal food (taken only under physician's guidance).
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Farmaceuticals (genetically modified plant products).
What Are the Different Classes of Nutraceuticals That Are Beneficial for Cardiovascular Disease?
Nutraceutical classes that provide remarkable protection against cardiovascular conditions include the following:
1. Plant Sterols: These are plant-derived products that can effectively reduce the blood's fat or cholesterol level. Enhanced blood cholesterol is an alarming condition as it can bring about various blood vessel disorders by gathering up in the inner aspect of the blood vessel walls. Hyperlipidemia (boosted blood cholesterol) condition is considered the stepping stone toward cardiovascular diseases like atherosclerosis (cholesterol deposits adhering to the blood vessel walls compromising the passage for blood flow).
In addition, it also helps to tackle obesity (overweight), which is a known risk factor for various cardiovascular diseases. Plant sterols mimic cholesterol structurally, so they get competitively taken up into the circulatory system. The metabolism of plant sterol automatically eradicates cholesterol molecules, thereby bringing down the bad cholesterol level in the blood, which is beneficial for cardiovascular health.
2. Polyphenols: These are plant-based compounds abundantly found in certain vegetables and fruits. Polyphenols bear antioxidant properties and eat up all the free radicals responsible for impairing the cells. It can bring down bad cholesterol, blood pressure, and blood sugar levels. In addition, it also checks the assemblage of platelets, which in turn give rise to clot formation. Free-floating blood clots with circulation can precipitate health complications and even risk one's life. These are also available and marketed in the form of food supplements.
3. Spirulina: It is a typical form of algae used for dietary purposes over the years. It contains carotenoids, phycocyanin, proteins, and other essential nutrients. It can also modify the blood cholesterol picture and possess lower blood pressure properties. All these properties work to check cardiovascular disorders' development and progression. Spirulina is known for being an effective antioxidant, which contributes significantly to the prevention of various chronic conditions. In addition to its role in heart health, it also enhances the production of blood cells, which helps tackle anemia (depleted red blood cell count).
What Is the Role of Nutraceuticals in Cardiovascular Disease Prevention?
Nutraceuticals are reported to have numerous desirable and beneficial properties that can effectively tackle many cardiovascular conditions. It is the ingredient that determines nutraceuticals' effectiveness in dealing with cardiovascular conditions. In addition to prevention, it is also advised to restrict the progression of active chronic diseases.
Nutraceuticals alter the body's lipid (fat) profile by significantly contributing to healthy fat. At the same time, it is involved in driving out the bad cholesterol responsible for attracting cardiovascular complications. Balancing the lip profile is critical concerning cardiovascular diseases, and it can be achieved with the help of nutraceuticals.
Inflammatory changes in the blood vessels and heart can considerably influence the patency in circulation. Any obstruction in the blood flow to the heart muscles can bring severe complications in the heart's functioning. Nutraceuticals are proven to tackle inflammation and associated changes. This helps preserve blood vessels and health.
Obese individuals are vulnerable to developing cardiovascular conditions. Therapeutic interventions utilizing nutraceuticals are widely advised to keep the body weight within the stipulated limits and ensure the healthy functioning of other body systems. In addition to obesity, it also works well for diabetes (enhanced blood sugar). An extended period of diabetes can worsen the cardiovascular status of a person. Therefore, by balancing the blood sugar level, cardiac complications can also be dealt with effectively with nutraceuticals.
Cardiovascular diseases are often supported and backed up by various risk factors. Nutraceuticals facilitate the alteration of the risk factors so that they become unfavorable for the precipitation of cardiovascular diseases. The prompt management of risk factors like obesity, hyperlipidemia (raised cholesterol level), diabetes, and hypertension itself offers excellent protection against heart diseases. Hence nutraceuticals work to bring down the workload on the heart and preserve the health and wellness of the body systems.
Conclusion
The rising concern of cardiovascular disease entails the need for effective and promising preventive approaches. In addition to different levels of pharmacological preventive approaches with the help of exercises and medicines, nutraceuticals are also considered a promising preventive strategy to keep hold of disease progression and prevention. Nutraceutical is reported to be a healthy way to tackle cardiovascular complications. Nutraceutical intervention offers diverse health benefits apart from rendering nutritional supplementation. It creates a complete check on the free radical-mediated damages and inflammation-induced changes in the vital organs and systems.
