Is it always Alzheimer's? Let's talk to our patients about "cardiocerebrovascular" prevention.

Unlike Alzheimer's, vascular dementia can, in part, be prevented. The preventive approach foresees treatment for high blood pressure, atrial fibrillation, diabetes, high cholesterol, low HDL cholesterol, sedentary lifestyle, smoking, alcohol abuse, obesity, and sleep apnea. Moreover, also a well-balanced diet and physical activity are cornerstones of prevention, with beneficial effects on the brain and cognition.

Nutraceuticals: Definition and Epidemiological Rationale for Their Use in Clinical Practice.

Cardiometabolic risk factors, such as hypercholesterolemia, hypertriglyceridemia, metabolic syndrome, diabetes, and arterial hypertension, are major predictors of the premature development of cardiovascular diseases (CVD). Since CVD prevention needs a life-course approach, beyond dietary and pharmacological treatment, non-pharmacological treatment should be considered an important alternative for patients in primary prevention with mild-moderate cardiometabolic risk factors at low-moderate global risk of CVD. Several functional foods and nutraceuticals are efficacious, safe and well tolerated. However, only some (monacolins of red yeast rice and omega-3 fatty acids) have showed, in long-term randomized clinical trials, a reduction of cardiovascular events.

Healthy diet to prevent cardiovascular diseases and osteoporosis: the experience of the 'ProSa' project.

The ProSa (PROmozione e tutela della SAlute) Project ('Health Promotion Project') is a workplace programme geared to promote health among the Roman staff of the National Research Council of Italy. 789 employees of both genders (450 men, 339 women) have participated in the cardiovascular prevention programme (screening, computerized calculation of the risk level, dietary and pharmacological intervention) and 245 women have participated in the osteoporosis programme (calcaneal ultrasonometer test, dietary and pharmacological intervention). Menopause increases the risk of cardiovascular diseases and osteoporosis. In order to lower dietary fat content, dietary intake of calcium and vitamin D could be reduced. However, supplementation of both may not be necessary if we follow an integrated dietary approach. Therefore, for women in menopause with mixed hyperlipidaemia (hypercholesterolaemia and/or hypertriglyceridaemia) and/or overweight/obesity, dietary intervention was aimed at promoting the choice of foods low in fats and rich in calcium based on a list of recommended products distributed to all the participants. The dietary intervention was accompanied by a programme of regular physical activity with adequate exposure to sunlight. By following a balanced diet it is possible to improve the prognosis not only for hyperlipidaemic patients, but also for patients with signs of osteopaenia or osteoporosis.