Can age be a modifiable risk factor? the impact of dietary patterns on the molecular mechanisms that underlie cardiovascular aging

Aging is the number one risk factor for the development of cardiovascular disease (CVD). Therefore, an evaluation of therapies for the prevention of CVD should focus on factors that slow down aging, particularly cardiovascular aging. There are various proposed mechanisms that advance cardiovascular age; in this review, we focus on chronic inflammation, oxidative stress and epigenetics as the primary drivers of aging. Furthermore, we will evaluate several dietary patterns on their impact on these aging mechanisms. The traditional "heart-healthy" dietary patterns such as the Mediterranean diet, plant-based diet and intermittent fasting will be evaluated for their performance to slow down the aforementioned aging mechanisms. The aim of this review will be to guide practitioners and patients on the dietary components that can slow down the effects of aging to prevent CVD