The French and Inuit Paradox in Cardiovascular Diseases – Do Scientists Have the Answer?
Max Müller
2026-03-24
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Cardiovascular diseases are easier to prevent than to treat, which is why the scientific community has been trying for years to determine the most important elements of a healthy preventive diet. Today, it has been proven that the basis of prevention is regular check-ups, an active lifestyle, and above all, a balanced diet. However, not everything in nutrition is straightforward and there are certain paradoxes that even experienced scientists find difficult to understand. Why does the French diet seem to be more advantageous than other diets around the world? And does it have to do with the Inuit diet?
Cardiovascular diseases (CVD): epidemiology, pathophysiological mechanisms, and preventive approaches
Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) encompass a diverse spectrum of pathological conditions, including but not limited to acute coronary syndromes, ischemic cardiomyopathy, and cerebrovascular accidents such as strokes. The unifying pathological substrate across these disorders is progressive atherosclerosis—a chronic inflammatory process characterized by the accumulation of lipid-laden and cellular deposits (known as atherosclerotic plaques) within the vascular endothelium, ultimately resulting in luminal narrowing or complete vascular occlusion. This pathological remodeling impairs tissue perfusion, which, in severe cases, may culminate in necrosis—such as myocardial infarction or ischemic stroke—as evidenced by research conducted by Richardson and colleagues (2022). Epidemiological data consistently demonstrate that CVD remains the leading cause of global mortality, with incidence rates steadily increasing due to demographic aging, widespread consumption of diets high in refined carbohydrates and saturated/trans fats, and the growing prevalence of sedentary lifestyles (Richardson et al., 2022). The cornerstone of mitigating this trend lies in the adoption of comprehensive primary prevention strategies, which emphasize routine health screenings, risk factor modification (particularly dietary habits), and the promotion of physical activity. Consequently, researchers worldwide are intensively investigating dietary components whose regular consumption may substantially reduce the risk of developing cardiovascular diseases, representing a critical focus of contemporary preventive medicine.
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