Dietary supplements as modifiers of cardiovascular risk in components of the metabolic syndrome in adults

Objective To analyze dietary supplements with long chain fatty acids, micronutrients and antioxidants in adult population as possible modifiers of cardiovascular risk in patients diagnosed with metabolic syndrome or any of its components. Methods Literature review of databases Medline and Embase using terms “Metabolic Syndrome” AND “Dietary supplements” and ‘Metabolic Syndrome’/exp AND ‘Dietary supplement’/exp, respectively, on the role of dietary supplements in modifying cardiovascular risk in adults with metabolic syndrome or any of its components. Results Out of 475 articles, the 37 selected studied the possible benefit of dietary supplements in metabolic syndrome. Some studies reveal a potential in long chain fatty acids and antioxidants (vitamin D, vitamin E) in reducing cardiovascular risk of patients with metabolic syndrome, evidenced in the decrease of parameters such as total cholesterol, blood sugar, body mass index and abdominal perimeter. Conclusion The use of dietary supplements with long chain fatty acids and antioxidants could have beneficial effects in reducing cardiovascular risk in patients diagnosed with metabolic syndrome or any of its components. The use of supplements with other components must be studied more deeply to make further recommendations.