目前科學證據支持在動脈硬化瘢形成過程當中（每一階段）血管發炎是扮演核心角色。而居中關鍵的“中間人”就是內皮系統。在動脈硬化的早期，內皮功能失全是最早發生，特別是西方式飲食人群中早期可發現。發炎的循環指標與發生心血管事件息息相關。發炎所誘發的反應物質不僅標示心血管事件增加，意味著病理病程變重。因此由食物及微營養策略來降低冠狀心臟疾病之發生率是可行的。最基本的策略是減少飽和脂肪以及反式脂肪之吸收、充足的Omega-3脂肪吸收以及高纖、低脂的水果、蔬菜、堅果以及全穀類的攝取。伴有天然的抗氧化物及微營養的補充諸如：胺基酸、牛磺酸、茄紅素、異黃酮、花青素（葡萄子）以及紅麴或紅酒之攝取。每一項策略目標是針對血管的發炎降低以及增強人體抗氧化的能力。本篇回朔性論文旨要探討流行病學以及臨床證據、食療、微營養以及發炎相關證據、整體的關照，特別是新陳代謝症候群似乎可明顯減低前發炎激素之產生。因此降低冠狀心臟疾病可經由多種生化、生理路徑進行。這包含了氧化性壓力、次臨床發炎、內皮功能失全、胰島素敏感度、血壓以及抗栓塞活性多方面著手。因此選擇健康的食材：好的碳水化合物、脂肪以及蛋白質、全天然的抗氧化物攝取及微營養的補充策略伴以規律的運動、戒菸，將可有效的對抗慢性血管性疾病以及糖尿病、粗／細血管病變。

Current evidence supports a central role for vascular inflammation in all phases of atherosclerotic process. A pivotal target for modulation is the endothelium. Endothelial dysfunction is a key early event in atherogenesis and occurs early in populations consuming a Western diet. Circulation markers of inflammation correlate with propensity to develop ischemic events. Moreover, circulation phase reactants elicited by inflammation may not only mark increased risk for vascular events but in some cases may also contribute to their pathogenesis. Thus, decreasing the incidence of coronary heart disease with diet and nutrients is possible. The main dietary and nutritional strategies include reduction of saturated and trans-fats, adequate omega-3 fatty acids intake, and consumption of a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, nuts, and whole grains, together with natural anti-oxidants and micronutrient supplies such as L-arginine, taurine, folic acid, lycopene, flavones, grape seed extracts and red yeast rice and wine. Each of these strategies may be associated with lower generation of vascular inflammation and increasing power of anti-oxidant activity in human being. This review examines the epidemiologic and clinical evidence concerning diet, nutrients, and inflammation. The whole dietary and nutritional approach seems particularly promising to reduce proinflammatory cytokines associated with the metabolic syndrome. Thus, the effects of diet and nutrients on coronary heart disease can be mediated through multiple biologic pathways including oxidative stress, subclinical inflammation, endothelial dysfunction, insulin sensitivity, blood pressure, and antithrombotic activity. Therefore, the choice of healthy source of carbohydrate, fat, and protein, together with natural anti-oxidant and micronutritional supply, associated with regular physical activity and avoidance of smoking, is critical to fighting the war against chronic vascular disease and DM micro/macro angiopathy.