The Role of Calorie Restriction in the Prevention of Cardiovascular Disease

Abstract

Purpose of review: Calorie restriction (CR) has emerged as a non-pharmacological treatment to prevent cardiovascular disease (CVD). This article reviews recent progress regarding the role of CR in CVD prevention via reduction of cardiometabolic risk factors and promoting atherosclerotic stability.

Recent findings: Calorie restriction may be an approach to reduce the development of atherosclerosis. CR promotes eNOS activity and SIRT1 expression which in turn improves vasodilation resulting in greater regulation of blood pressure and blood flow. Modest CR in nonobese young and middle-aged adults results in improved cardiometabolic risk profile. The evidence for CR in CVD prevention has accumulated in the recent years. Most evidence, however, is from rodent or small human trials. Our understanding of the magnitude of calorie reduction that leads to the long-term therapeutic effects on cardiovascular health is limited. More well-designed controlled trials conducted in diverse populations with larger sample sizes and longer follow-ups are warranted.

Keywords: Atherosclerosis; Calorie restriction; Calorie restriction mimetics; Cardiometabolic health; Cardiovascular disease; Vascular endothelium.