Diet and Cardiovascular Diseases in Europe
D. Kromhout

Abstract: In spite of the decreasing trend in age-adjusted cardiovascular disease mortality in Western European countries, an increase in the cardiovascular morbidity is expected because of the ageing of the population. Consequently the health care cost for these diseases will increase. This article focuses on the role of diet in the occurrence of cardiovascular diseases.Total and HDL cholesterol are major determinants of coronary heart disease. Saturated and trans fatty acids have a total and LDL cholesterol elevating effect and unsaturated fatty acids a lowering effect. N-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids seem to have a protective effect on coronary heart disease occurrence independent of cholesterol. Dietary antioxidants could be of importance because they may prevent oxidation of the atherogenic cholesterol rich LDL lipoproteins. There is however no convincing evidence that either vitamin E, carotenoids or vitamin C protect against coronary heart disease. Observational research has shown that flavonols, polyphenols with strong antioxidant properties present in plant foods, may protect against coronary heart disease. Blood pressure is a major determinant of coronary heart disease and stroke. Historically salt is viewed as the most important dietary determinant of blood pressure. Recent research shows that also a low-fat diet rich in potassium, calcium and magnesium lowers blood pressure substantially. This suggests a multifactorial influence of different nutrients on blood pressure. It can be concluded that a diet low in saturated and trans fatty acids and rich in plant foods in combination with regular fish consumption is associated with a low risk of cardiovascular mortality.

Key words: Antioxidants, cardiovascular diseases, diet, epidemiology, fatty acids, life style.