Researchers have found that a dietary supplement can reverse the symptoms of heart disease that develops as a result of coronary artery disease. Hope for patients?
- The coronary arteries supply the heart with blood, oxygen and nutrients.
- Mortality in Western men from coronary artery disease is almost one in 100 between the ages of 55 and 64, according to the MSD Manual.
- In women, mortality increases after menopause and, at the age of 75, it equals or even exceeds that of men.
In high-income countries, coronary heart disease, also known as coronary artery disease, is the leading cause of death for both men and women, accounting for about a third of all deaths, according to the MSD Manual. This cardiac pathology can be defined as an alteration of blood flow in the coronary arteries which is often caused by atherosclerosis, a buildup of plaque inside the walls of the arteries. These shrink, become clogged or stiffen.
Coronary artery disease: a pathology that can lead to serious consequences
Coronary artery disease can lead to several disorders such as angina pectoris (severe chest pain occurring behind the sternum), myocardial infarction or cardiac arrest, which is one of the complications of myocardial infarction, according to theHealth Insurance.
According to Heart + Stroke, there is no cure for coronary artery disease. Current solutions reduce the symptoms and slow the progression of the pathology. These are medications, surgeries or the adoption of a healthy lifestyle, such as the regular practice of a sport, a healthy and balanced diet, a limited consumption of alcohol, etc. But, according to a study published on December 30 in theEuropean Heart Journala dietary supplement, called tricaprin, may also reduce the symptoms of this disease.
The researchers explain that taking it regularly could reduce the plaque that builds up in the arteries and reduce the risk of patients with cardiomyovasculopathy with triglyceride deposition. This disease, which is one of the possible consequences of coronary artery disease, is due to the deposit of triglycerides, a lipid, on the arteries.
Cardiomyovasculopathy: a dietary supplement as a new solution
“The coronary arteries are clogged with triglyceride deposits (…)says Ken-ichi Hirano, one of the authors of the study, in a Press release. This mechanism distinguishes triglyceride deposition cardiomyovasculopathy from classic cholesterol-induced atherosclerosis and represents patients resistant to standard treatments for coronary artery disease.“.
During their work, the researchers therefore wanted to test tricaprin, a dietary supplement that promotes the breakdown of lipids by heart muscle cells. The goal was to find out if it could be effective for patients with triglyceride deposition cardiomyovasculopathy. Results: Tricaprin relieves symptoms and lowers the number of triglycerides in the arteries. Thus, ultimately, this study could allow researchers to develop a new treatment for these patients with triglyceride deposition cardiomyovasculopathy.
