GUT MICROBIOTA AND CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASE: MECHANISMS, NUTRITION, AND THERAPEUTIC PERSPECTIVES

Abstract

The gut microbiota has emerged as a crucial regulator of cardiovascular health, influencing disease development through metabolic, inflammatory, and immunological pathways. This article reviews current evidence on the role of gut microbiota in cardiovascular disease (CVD), with a focus on microbial metabolites such as trimethylamine-N-oxide (TMAO), short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), and bile acids. The interaction between diet and microbiota is explored as a key determinant of cardiovascular risk. Additionally, therapeutic strategies including dietary modification, probiotics, pharmacological interventions, and fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) are discussed. Despite promising findings, limitations remain regarding causality and clinical application. Future research should focus on personalized microbiome-targeted therapies.