Cardiovascular Disease (CVD) is the leading cause of death globally, but can nutrition play a role in reducing its prevalence?

The UK National Health Service has identified CVD as the single biggest condition where lives can be saved over the next decade.

It says, often, cardiovascular disease can be prevented by leading a healthier lifestyle.

It is worth making that point again, the biggest cause of death in the world can be prevented through lifestyle choices.  

It begs a couple of questions: how did we end up here in the first place? And what is preventing us from fixing it?

It is obviously complex, something we don’t shy away from on this podcast, but perhaps we need to look again at the science and what people are being advised to do.  

What advice can modern nutritional science bring, with its understanding of macronutrients and whole-diet approaches?   

And how important can diet be in reducing our personal risk factors?

Thomas Sander, Emeritus Professor of Nutrition & Dietetics, King's College London

Thomas Sander is a scientist who has spent his career working in the field of human nutrition.

He was appointed to the established chair in Nutrition and Dietetics at King's College London in 1994 from which he retired at the end of September 2014. 

He remains involved in research and publishing as well as TV, radio and consultancy.

Thomas Butler, Senior Lecturer Nutrition and Health, Edgehill University.

Dr Tom Butler joined the faculty in 2020 following previous appointments at the University of Chester and Manchester Metropolitan University. Tom completed his undergraduate degree in Human Biology at the University of Hull, before undertaking his PhD at the same university with a thesis titled "Impact of dietary manipulation on cardiac hypertrophy". 

Following this, Tom completed a PD diploma in Nutrition and Dietetics at the University of Chester, subsequently becoming a Registered Dietitian with the Health and Care Professions Council and registered nutritionist with the Association for Nutrition. 

Tom's research interests are broadly focussed on nutrition and cardiovascular health, including both primary and secondary prevention of cardiovascular disease.  

Recent research projects have considered the impact of sarcopenic obesity on health, in addition to the role of portion distortion and energy intake of various breakfast cereals. 

He has a special interest in the role of nutrition in the management of heart failure.