The Role of Food Supplementation in Microcirculation-A Comprehensive Review

Abstract

(1) Background: Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a major public health concern worldwide and a key cause of morbidity and mortality in developed countries. Accumulating evidence shows that several CVD forms are characterized by significant microcirculatory dysfunction, which may both cause and be caused by macrovascular disease, often preceding clinical manifestations by several years. Therefore, interest in exploring food supplements to prevent and restore microcirculation has grown. Given the continuous need to expand the available therapeutic arsenal for CVD, the food supplements market has recently grown and is expected to continue growing. (2) Methods: We provide an authoritative up-to-date comprehensive review of the impact of food supplementation on microcirculation by analyzing the European and American legal food supplements framework and the importance of food safety/food quality in this industry. We review the main literature about food bioactive compounds with a focus on microcirculation and some main food supplements with proven benefits. (3) Results: Despite a lack of scientific evidence, diet and microcirculatory function are clearly connected. The main food supplement examples in the literature with potential beneficial effects on microcirculation are: Ruscus aculeatus L., Centella asiatica L., Ginkgo biloba L., Salvia miltiorrhiza Bunge, Crataegus spp., Ginseng, Mangifera indica L., Aesculus hippocastanum L., Hamamelis virginiana L., and Vitis vinifera L. (4) Conclusions: Further clinical trials are necessary to better explore the effects of these food supplements.

Keywords: cardiovascular; food quality; food safety; food supplements; microcirculation; nutrition.

Figure 1

The range of RASFF notifications in the “dietetic foods, food supplements, fortified foods” category from January 2015 to February 2021.

Figure 2

RASFF notifications by RASFF member countries, identified as the origin of the notified product expressed as number of notifications per country of origin in 2019 [42].

Figure 3

Ruscus aculeatus L. photo.

Figure 4

Hawthorn (Crataegus oxyacantha L.) photo.

Figure 5

Centella asiatica L. photo.

Figure 6

Panax ginseng C.A. Meyer photo.

Figure 7

Aesculus hippocastanum L. photo.

Figure 8

Hamamelis virginiana L. photo.

Figure 9

Vitis vinifera L. photo.

Figure 10

Ginkgo biloba L. photo.

Figure 11

Salvia miltiorrhiza L. photo.

Figure 12

Mangifera indica L. photo.