Dietary fibers and nutraceuticals for primary cardiovascular prevention in children and adolescents: a critical review

The roles of dietary fibers and nutraceuticals for primary prevention of cardiovascular disease from childhood are re- viewed. Nutrition as an epigenetic modifi er and the roles of endothelium, risk factors, epidemiological evidence and Mediterranean diet are critically analys ed. Overfeeding in childhood can lead to the development of obesity and/or atherosclerosis in adult life. In particular , a high intake of nutrients affects the in utero programming with the adverse consequences of insulin resistance an endothelial dysfunction that lead to early atherosclerosis. Dietary fibers have im- portant health benefits in childhood a nd research suggests that they may prev ent obesity and lower blood cholesterol levels with a favourable impact on the risk of future cardiova scular disease incidence. However, it is for further studies to assess whether also in Southern European Countries, practicing Mediterranean diet as a normal habit, dietary fibers may contribute to modify the relatively low proportion of hyperlipemia observed in our population.