A dietary supplement that combines fish oil, cocoa extract, and phytosterols could prevent atherosclerosis, according to a Welsh study.
Atherosclerosis, or hardening of the arteries, is the leading cause of heart attacks and strokes.
It is characterized by deposits of plaque on the inner walls of arteries that cause them to narrow and restrict blood flow. The plaques can also burst and form blood clots.
The study, published in the journal PLOS ONE, found that combining the three ingredients inhibited key processes associated with the progression of atherosclerosis.
"A variety of active food ingredients have been shown to impart beneficial effects on cardiovascular disease although little is known regarding their actions when taken in combination," said study coauthor Dr. Dipak Ramji of Cardiff University's School of Bioscience.
"Therefore we set out to examine what happens when you combine omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (found in marine fish oil), flavanols (found in cocoa) and phytosterols."
Phytosterols are compounds found in plants that are similar in structure to cholesterol. They compete with the body in absorbing cholesterol, thus reducing the risk of heart disease by lowering cholesterol.
"The study found, in cell-based models, that combining the three ingredients could, potentially, help halt the progression of atherosclerosis," Ramji said. "The challenge now is to take our findings and examine whether they translate into humans.
"Ultimately, our common goal is to help prevent people from developing atherosclerosis," he said. "This work opens up new avenues for further research on the use of nutritional products in the prevention and treatment of the condition."
According to the American Heart Association, cardiovascular diseases, including heart attack and stroke, account for one out of every three deaths in the U.S.
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