[Nutrition, dietary supplementation and coronary heart disease]

During the last decade, lipid lowering agents, in particular statins, have become increasingly important in the treatment of cardiovascular diseases and dyslipidaemias. This might imply that emphasis on diet and supplementary nutrients do not receive sufficient attention.

On the basis of studies of the literature, the scientific documentation for a possible beneficial effect of the following elements are reviewed: intake of fat, fish and fish oil, alpha-linolenic acid, folic acid, vitamin B6 and vitamin B12, nuts, plant sterols and psyllium.

Reduced intake of saturated fat causes improvement in serum lipid values and prevents cardiovascular events. Intake of fish, fish oils and alpha-linolenic acid has positive effects on several clinical end points, often without marked decrease in serum cholesterol. Homocysteine appears to be an independent risk factor for cardiovascular diseases, but a causal relationship remains to be proven. The cofactors folic acid, vitamin B6 and B12 reduce the homocysteine level, but effects of this intervention on hard clinical end points are lacking. There are indications that intake of nuts can prevent coronary events. Plant sterols and psyllium in the diet reduce cholesterol levels.

Thus, dietary intervention is important in the prevention and treatment of coronary heart disease. Also when drug treatment is indicated, a focus on diet and nutrient supplementation is highly warranted. Some nutrients may have preventive effect in relation to coronary events, despite their small effect on cholesterol levels.