NUTRITION AND EXERCISE IN THE PREVENTION OF RISK FACTORS FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF ATHEROSCLEROSIS

To evaluate the importance of a balanced and healthy nutrition associated to regular physical exercise in the prevention of atherosclerosis. Review: Atherosclerosis gradually changed from a chronic degenerative disease model and, exclusively of advanced age patients, to a subclinical chronic inflammatory disease model, already present in childhood. Due to this alarming situation, strategies are being defined for the control of non communicable chronic diseases. One of these strategies would point to a balanced and healthy diet, with an increase in unsaturated fats, and a reduction in saturated fats, which would be beneficial not only for prevention and treatment of atherosclerosis, but also for prevention and control of other associated risk factors, such as arterial hypertension - SAH and diabetes mellitus - DM. Another strategy is the regular practice of physical exercise that can act as a preventive mechanism, since in addition to the improved cardiovascular function, it also promotes significant biochemical and hemodynamic alterations (reduction in arterial pressure, increase in high density lipoprotein cholesterol - HDL - C, reduction in low density lipoprotein cholesterol - LDL - C and in plasmatic triglycerides, and increase in glucose tolerance), which results in the improvement of the health of the individual. Conclusions: Balanced and healthy nutrition associated to regular physical exercise has a great importance in the prevention of risk factors of atherosclerosis development.