[Alternative and complementary medicine. Past, present, future. Part 1]

Part 1 highlights general problems of alternative and auxiliary medical treatment and presents the evidence base of dietetic nutrition of patients with cardiovascular diseases. Many studies demonstrated effect of dietetic factors on arterial pressure (AP). It drops with a decrease in body weight due to rational nutrition, reduced salt and alcohol consumption, elevated intake of potassium, and compliance with DASH regimen. Effect of other factors influencing AP is either dual, less significant or inexplicable. Reduction of the burden of cardiovascular diseases requires the development of new strategies including dietary treatment.