New diet trials and cardiovascular risk.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: The prevalence of cardiovascular disease (CVD) is increasing to epidemic proportions and current management centred on treatment with drugs is not enough to stop this pandemic. CVD prevention is of paramount importance. In this context, diet and behavioural intervention programs are the first step and have the advantage of lesser cost and side effects than pharmacological approaches. In this review, we will examine the most recent evidence related to dietary prevention of CVD risk.

RECENT FINDINGS: Healthy dietary patterns such as the dietary approaches to stop hypertension, the vegetarian, the low-fat high carbohydrates and mainly the Mediterranean diet have substantial evidence to be recommended for CVD prevention.

SUMMARY: The evidence in this area needs to be adequately communicated to health professionals and the general public. Diet is the cornerstone of CVD prevention as well as overall health promotion.