Nutraceutical Intervention in Cardiometabolic Disorders

Abstract

Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) remain a leading cause of global morbidity and mortality, with lifestyle and dietary factors playing a critical role in disease progression. The five analyzed review articles collectively evaluate the cardioprotective potential of traditional and functional nutraceuticals, emphasizing their role in prevention and adjunctive therapy. Nutraceuticals such as garlic, lycopene-rich tomatoes, spirulina, curcumin, polyphenols, and omega-rich plant sources demonstrate beneficial effects on major cardiovascular risk factors including hypertension, dyslipidemia, oxidative stress, inflammation, insulin resistance and endothelial dysfunction. Mechanistically, these bioactive compounds exert antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antiplatelet, lipid-lowering, and vasodilatory actions, thereby improving vascular function and myocardial health. Several human and animal studies report significant reductions in blood pressure, total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein levels, and inflammatory cytokines following nutraceutical supplementation. Despite promising findings, the articles highlight limitations such as variability in bioavailability, inconsistent clinical outcomes, and a lack of large-scale randomized controlled trials assessing hard endpoints like mortality. Overall, the evidence supports nutraceuticals as safe, cost-effective, and complementary strategies for cardiovascular risk reduction. However, standardized formulations and robust clinical trials are necessary to validate their therapeutic efficacy and integrate them effectively into clinical practice.