The Role of the Gut Microbiota in Vascular Physiology and Health

Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) are the leading cause of global morbidity and mortality. There are many well-known risk factors (dyslipidemia, atherosclerosis, diabetes mellitus, obesity) for these diseases, but there are also other factors with important implications in the pathogenesis of vascular diseases (VD). One of these is the gut microbiome, a metabolically active “organ” with many roles in physiological processes that are linked to VD. Moreover, in recent years, the microbiota has been studied as a “target” in the treatment of various diseases, from gastrointestinal diseases to cardiovascular or even neuropsychiatric diseases. Thus, nutraceuticals may have an important role in modulating the gut microbiota and preventing or treating VD. The aim of this review is to highlight the relationship between the intestinal microbiota and the development and progression of cardiovascular diseases, as well as the possible intervention by using nutraceuticals (vitamins, minerals, dietary supplements) to positively modulate the intestinal microbiota and thus to reduce the risk of VD.