ABSTRACT
Vascular biology has a primary and pivotal role in the initiation and progression of hypertension and cardiovascular disease. Nutrient-gene interactions, genomics, nutrigenomics, epigenetics and gene expression patterns are very important factors in hypertension and cardiovascular disease.
Oxidative stress, inflammation and vascular immune dysfunction are the three finite vascular responses to numerous insults that induce hypertension and cardiovascular disease. Nutrition, nutraceutical supplements, antioxidants, antiinflammatory compounds, anti-vascular immune agents, vitamins and minerals can prevent and treat hypertension through a variety of mechanisms related to vascular biology. These effects may mimic those of the various classes of antihypertensive drugs. There is a role for the selected use of single and combined nutraceutical supplements, vitamins, antioxidants and minerals in the treatment of hypertension based on prospective randomized placebo-controlled studies and meta-analysis as a complement to optimal nutrition and other lifestyle modifications. A clinical approach that incorporates optimal nutrition with scientifically proven nutraceutical supplements, exercise, weight reduction, smoking cessation, alcohol and caffeine restriction, and other lifestyle strategies can be systematically and successfully incorporated into clinical practice for the prevention and treatment of hypertension.
