Natural antioxidant compounds in risk factors for CVD.

The benefits of drug treating hypertension, hyperglycemia and hyperlipidemias in terms of reduction of CVD morbidity and mortality are well established. However, there is epidemiological evidence that consumption of certain foods results to a reduction in myocardial infarction markers. Given in many reviews is the impact of dietary antioxidants pertained to LDL oxidation and to vascular endothelial dysfunction. The potential of a diet rich in these compounds on the management of hypertension, hyperglycemia and hyperlipidemias is hereby criticized. Although their clinical use not always translates into clinical benefit, data are motivating. In the future, these agents may be very important complementary treatment options for subjects with high risk for CVD.