Fetal and early postnatal programming of dyslipidemia and potential intervention with dietary nutraceuticals

The tremendous impact of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) on the health and well-being of Americans cannot be overemphasized as it presents major challenges to society on several fronts. First, CVDs including acute myocardial infarction, ischemic heart disease, peripheral vascular disease, high blood pressure, and stroke causally underlie >33% of all U.S. deaths annually (Writing Group et al. 2016). Second, the fiscal burden of CVDs in the United States is staggering with total direct and indirect annual costs estimated to exceed $400 billion. Third, as the leading cause of premature, permanent disability in the United States, CVD has an immeasurable impact on the daily quality of life of Americans by significantly limiting everyday activity, reducing annual incomes, and contributing to depression and an overall low perception of life satisfaction (Writing Group et al. 2016).