Andrea Poli (NFI) in his speech at the Nutrizione Spazio Congress: when appropriate, food supplementation can considerably contribute to the decrease of cardiovascular and coronary diseases.
Many studies show how, as LDL cholesterolemia increases, the frequency of events such as heart attacks are increasing. Therefore, from the earliest stages of life, is essential to keep these values under control, through a balanced diet and, if necessary, through targeted food supplementation. This is the main topic that stands at the core of the speech conducted by Andrea Poli, NFI – Nutrition Foundation of Italy, at Spazio Nutrizione; one of the main healthy nutrition event in Italy, held in Milan on 25 and 26 September, which was attended by Integratori Italia (the Italian trade association linked to Confindustria and part of Unione Italiana Food) committed to support the correct use of food supplements and conscious consumer choices.
“The diet plays an important role in the prevention of coronary heart disease, but its effectiveness in reducing cholesterolemia is actually often limited – clarifies Andrea Poli. “The food supplements for the management of cholesterol, when appropriately used, can therefore strengthen the effects of the diet in reducing cardiovascular and coronary diseases”.
The accessibility on the Italian market of safe and effective products of this type is extensive. Some of the active ingredients available, such as phytosterols and beta-glucan, inhibit the intestinal absorption of cholesterol. Others, such as monacolin K present in the extracts of fermented red rice, interfere with the synthesis of cholesterol, in the liver, by inhibiting the activity of the HMGCoA enzyme. Others (such as berberine) improve the lipid profile by decreasing the levels of triglycerides and cholesterol in the blood.
“The importance of controlling the plasma cholesterol rate, and above all LDL, in cardiovascular prevention is now supported by a large number of studies – carries on Poli. – These studies have, on the one hand, found that as LDL cholesterolemia increases, the incidence of clinical events such as heart attack increases too and, on the other hand, the reduction in cholesterol levels, however obtained, instead induces a decrease of these events”- goes on Poli.
The mentioned molecules are effective and safe when used in accordance with the guidelines, and can help maintaining LDL cholesterol values, one of the main cardiovascular risk factors, in greater safety. “Their use, especially if supervised by a doctor or a health professional, can support, from the outset, the interventions to correct the diet, which acts on other risk factors, in order to maximize their effectiveness in cardiovascular prevention ” he concludes.
