Tackling Atherosclerosis via Selected Nutrition

Area of Science:

• Nutritional Science
• Genetics
• Cardiovascular Health

Background:

• Atherosclerosis development is significantly influenced by lifestyle, especially nutrition.
• Personalized nutrition is emerging as a key strategy for atherosclerosis prevention.
• Individualized dietary approaches consider genetic predispositions, gut microbiota, and environmental factors.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore factors influencing personalized nutrition for atherosclerosis prevention.
• To identify genetic markers, microbiota states, and environmental influences relevant to individualized diets.
• To review effective dietary patterns and bioactive substances for atherosclerosis management.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of genetic characteristics, including single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and epigenetic factors.
• Assessment of gastrointestinal tract (GIT) microbiota.
• Review of established diets (ketogenic, Mediterranean, DASH) and bioactive substances (BAS).

Main Results:

• Genetic features, such as SNPs affecting nutrient metabolism, are crucial for assessing atherosclerosis risk.
• Chrono-nutrition and telomere length are emerging areas of study in relation to atherosclerosis.
• Effective diets are rich in vegetables, fruits, and antioxidants, but accessibility varies; functional foods and BAS offer alternatives.

Conclusions:

• Personalized nutrition requires analyzing genetic markers (SNPs) related to nutrient metabolism and assessing GIT microbiota.
• Optimal diets exclude detrimental nutrients and incorporate functional foods and BAS with anti-atherosclerotic potential.
• Challenges in personalized nutrition include weak evidence for some genetic factors, high costs, and complex result interpretation.