Abstract
Background: Cardiovascular Diseases (CVD) are, currently, the major contributor to global
mortality and will continue to dominate mortality rates in the future. Hyperlipidemia refers to the elevated
levels of lipids and cholesterol in the blood, and is also identified as dyslipidemia, manifesting in
the form of different disorders of lipoprotein metabolism. These abnormalities may lead to the development
of atherosclerosis, which can lead to coronary artery disease and stroke. In recent years, there
is a growing interest in the quest for alternative therapeutic treatments based on natural products, offering
better recovery and the avoidance of side effects. Recent technological advances have further improved
our understanding of the role of epigenetic mechanisms in hyperlipidemic disorders and dietary
prevention strategies.
Objective: This is a comprehensive overview of the anti-hyperlipidemic effects of plant extracts, vegetables,
fruits and isolated compounds thereof, with a focus on natural products from the Mediterranean
region as well as the possible epigenetic changes in gene expression or cardiometabolic signaling
pathways.
Methods: For the purpose of this study, we searched the PubMed, Scopus and Google Scholar databases
for eligible articles and publications over the last five years. The keywords included: “hyperlipidemia”,
“plant extract”, “herbs”, “natural products”, “vegetables”, “cholesterol” and others. We initially
included all relevant articles referring to in vitro studies, animal studies, Randomized Controlled
Trials (RCTs) and previous reviews.
Conclusion: Many natural products found in the Mediterranean diet have been studied for the treatment
of hyperlipidemia. The antihyperlipidemic effect seems to be dose and/or consumption frequency
related, which highlights the fact that a healthy diet can only be effective in reversing disease markers
if it is consistent and within the framework of a healthy lifestyle. Finally, epigenetic biomarkers are increasingly
recognized as new lifestyle management tools to monitor a healthy dietary lifestyle for the
prevention of hyperlipidaemic disorders and comorbidities to promote a healthy life.
Keywords:
Mediterranean diet, hyperlipidemia, plant extracts, vegetables, epigenetics, Randomized Controlled Trials (RCTs).
Graphical Abstract
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