Liver and kidney health in cardiovascular patients: Epidemiological studies on biological pathways and the role of nutrition

The number of cardiovascular patients worldwide is growing. Despite advances in medical treatment, these patients still face an elevated risk of dying from cardiovascular diseases. Healthy eating lowers patients’ mortality risk beyond medication use, but the exact mechanisms are unknown. Fatty liver disease and impaired kidney function are disorders linked to cardiovascular diseases and may explain the association between diet and cardiovascular disease. However, little is known about how fatty liver disease and impaired kidney function contribute to the relationship between diet and cardiovascular diseases in patients with cardiovascular conditions. This thesis shows the importance of a healthy liver and kidneys through diet for cardiovascular patients and how fatty liver disease and impaired kidney function may be connected to cardiovascular diseases.