Resveratrol, inositol, vitamin D and K in the prevention of cardiovascular and osteoporotic risk: a novel approach in peri- and postmenopause.

The prevention of cardiovascular and osteoporotic risk is a topic of great importance in the peri- and postmenopausal periods. This paper reviews the role of resveratrol, inositol, vitamin D and K in the prevention of cardiovascular and osteoporotic risk in peri- and post-. The phytoestrogen-like activity of resveratrol has potential clinical implications in the gynecological practice. In particular transresveratrol inhibits low-density lipoprotein oxidation, which is a recognized risk factor for cardiovascular diseases. Resveratrol has also a documented antiplatelet effect and may prevent cardiovascular diseases inhibiting the cardiac fibroblasts proliferation. With regard to bone health, in in vitro studies resveratrol has shown activities in osteoblastic MC3T3-E1 cells. Resveratrol also interacts with vitamin D in promoting bone health. Resveratrol is considered a caloric restriction mimetic and potentially effects factors involved in the metabolic syndrome. Myo-inositol has documented in clinical studies its effectiveness in improving the metabolic syndrome in post menopausal women. Thus the supplementation with inositol and resveratrol may be useful in the prevention of insulin resistance and consequently metabolic syndrome and cardiovascular diseases risk. Finally vitamin K2 effects calcium metabolisms and subjects with higher levels of calcium in the bones tend to have a lower frequency of vascular calcifications and a lower cardiovascular risk. Vitamin K2 also has a key role in the bone homeostasis. A supplement including resveratrol, inositol, vitamin K and vitamin D offers a novel opportunity to the woman in peri- and postmenopause.