Influence of intestinal microbiota on cardiovascular diseases: the role of nutrition in optimizing treatment

Abstract

Cardiovascular diseases are the leading cause of death in Brazil and worldwide. In the last 5 years, about 1 million Brazilians died as a result of some cardiovascular disease. The imbalance of the intestinal microbiota affects the homeostasis of the host, favoring the development of several pathologies, in evidence cardiovascular diseases. The present study is a literature review with the objective of comparing the intestinal microbiota of healthy individuals and individuals with cardiovascular diseases, as well as analyzing possible nutritional interventions in order to modulate the intestinal microbiota and enhance nutritional treatment in these diseases. The results demonstrate a clear distinction between the microbiota of individuals with cardiovascular diseases and healthy people, such as an increase in the Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes ratio, as well as a decrease in the genus Faecalibacteruim, reported in the literature as a genus capable of producing anti-inflammatory metabolites. Modulation of the microbial composition of the gut microbiota through diet, prebiotics and probiotics can beneficially alter the profile of the host microbiota. Several studies have demonstrated the link between the gut microbiota and cardiovascular diseases, however more research is needed to elucidate the link.