The effects of a new plant mixture on lipid levels in patients with metabolic syndrome

The metabolic syndrome describes a condition characterized by the presence of coexisting traditional risk factors for cardiovascular disease such as hypertension, dyslipidemia, glucose intolerance and obesity, in addition to non-traditional cardiovascular disease risk factors such as inflammatory processes and abnormalities of the blood coagulation system (Cefalu et al., 2008). It is an important pathological entity, associated with the risks for cardiovascular and cerebrovascular morbidity and mortality. Prevention and treatment are therefore of great importance (Grundy et al., 2004). Overall mortality in Serbia, compared to the other countries in the region, is among the highest and more than 60% higher than in the EU (European Mortality Database, WHO, 2009) (Strategy, Ministry of Health of Republic of Serbia, 2009). Diseases of the circulatory system and ischemic heart disease are the leading causes of mortality in the Serbian population. Lifestyle changes, in combination with natural supplements, could improve these worrying statistical data.