Obesity causes serious chronic diseases and affects quality of life of all age
groups. It is associated with vascular and metabolic alterations and chronic
inflammation leading to the development of the metabolic syndrome. Adipose tissue
expansion occurs mainly through hypertrophy (increasing the volume of preexisting
adipocytes) and/or hyperplasia (generating new small adipocytes). Adipocytes produce
adipocytokines or adipokine, which modulate adipocyte growth and metabolism
through a combined action of endocrine, paracrine, and autocrine mediators. These
mediators are increasingly secreted during the progression of obesity and are closely
associated with the development of obesity-related diseases.
Weight loss and increased physical activity were reported by numerous scientific
papers to prevent/treat obesity and related chronic heart disease. Herbs, diet and their
extracts/constituents exert their weight reducing effects through six principal pathways:
Inhibiting pancreatic lipase activity, controlling appetite, preventing adipogenesis, and
stimulating lipolysis, thermogenesis and lipid metabolism. The cardiovascular
beneficial effects of the traditional Mediterranean diet are well documented in
numerous animal as well as in clinical studies. This dietary pattern distinguished by
relatively high amounts olive oil, vegetables, nuts, fruits, grains, a moderate intake of
fish, and a low intake of red meat or processed meats. This diet prevents the
development/progression of heart disease, hypertension, diabetes, obesity, breast
cancer, colorectal cancer, and erectile dysfunction. This chapter will highlight the role
of diets and medicinal plants in prevention and treatment of obesity and its related
cardiovascular diseases.
Keywords: Cardiovascular disease, Diabetes, Hypertension, Inflammation,
Medicinal plants, Mediterranean diet, Metabolic disease, Obesity.
