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Best Supplements for Heart Health

5 Best Supplements for Heart Health

Here are the best supplements for heart health according to credible research studies.

Cardiovascular diseases are the leading cause of death in the world. In the United States alone one person dies every 36 seconds from a cardiovascular illness, and someone has a heart attack every 40 seconds. It is well-known that the best way to prevent heart disease is to eat healthy foods and drinks, maintain a healthy weight, exercise regularly, and avoid nicotine. However, your heredity, environment, or exposure to other illnesses can also play a factor. In fact, according to the American Heart Association a growing number of studies suggest many COVID-19 survivors experience some type of heart damage, even if they didn’t have underlying heart disease and weren’t sick enough to be hospitalized. Therefore, in combination with following healthy habits, taking these five best supplements for heart health is recommended.

Top 5 Supplements for a Healthy Heart

Coenzyme Q10 

Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) is a ubiquitous chemical present in cell membranes and mitochondria in both its reduced (ubiquinol) and oxidized (ubiquinone) forms. It is found in high levels in organs such as the heart, kidneys, and liver. The levels of CoQ10 in the body can be reduced by aging, genetic factors, medical use (i.e. statins), and certain diseases. When levels are depleted, this results in exacerbation of inflammatory processes in the body.

According to several randomized clinical trials, inflammatory and oxidative stress markers are substantially reduced with use of CoQ10. And, supplementing with CoQ10 has been shown useful in the treatment of cardiovascular diseases such as heart failure, atrial fibrillation, and myocardial infarction and in associated risk factors such as hypertension, insulin resistance, dyslipidemias, and obesity. Furthermore, CoQ10 has aided heart failure patients with no side effects or safety issues.

Hawthorn Berry

Among the best supplements for heart health is the popular herb, hawthorn berry (Crataegus spp.), which has about 280 species present in Europe, North Africa, West Asia, and North America. Various parts of this herb, including the berries, flowers, and leaves, are rich in beneficial nutrients and compounds.

Many clinical trials have reported different health-promoting activities for hawthorn berry. In one study of 2,681 patients suffering from congestive heart failure (CHF), taking hawthorn extract of 900 mg per day for 620 days reduced the risk of sudden cardiac death in those with lower left ventricular function. In another clinical trial, diastolic blood pressure was reduced in patients with type 2 diabetes who took 1200 mg of hawthorn extract daily for 16 weeks. Yet another trial demonstrated that mildly hypertensive patients taking hawthorn extract at a dose of 500–600 mg per day over 10 weeks had a decrease in both diastolic and systolic blood pressure.

Vitamins B12 and B6

Vitamin B12 (cobalamin) is an important water-soluble vitamin involved in red blood cell production, brain health, and DNA synthesis. Vitamin B6 (pyridoxine) is also an important water-soluble vitamin that aids in normal brain development and keeps the nervous system and immune system healthy.

While there is much debate over whether vitamins and minerals can aid in heart health, research has proven that taking these two vitamins specifically can be beneficial. Studies show B12 and B6 can reduce the risk of stroke, coronary heart disease, and heart failure. It is important to note that with age, it is harder to absorb B vitamins; thus, it is recommended to take B vitamins in liquid form sublingually (under the tongue) versus in capsule form.

Omega-3 Fish Oils

People who consume high levels of the omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids, eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), which are commonly found in wild seafood, have been shown to be at lower risk of developing cardiovascular disease, especially coronary heart disease and myocardial infarction (heart attack). Several long-term prospective cohort studies demonstrate high omega-3 intake is related to improved cardiovascular health. However, like vitamins and minerals, much controversy over the use of omega-3’s for heart health has ensued.

Interest in the potential benefits of omega-3 fatty acids first began in the 1940s and was amplified by a subsequent landmark trial showing reduced cardiovascular disease risk following heart attack. But since that time, controversy began circulating due to conflicting results among several studies. However, in 2018 a large, randomized trial that used a higher dose of omega-3s found a remarkable, statistically significant reduction in cardiovascular events. Therefore, it is recommended that omega-3 is only beneficial when taken at a dosage of at least 1 gram per day, with dosages reaching up to 4 grams per day. (Note: Omega-3’s can cause blood thinning and should be used cautiously in people who are taking blood thinning medications or who have certain medical disorders.)

Garlic

Along with having high blood pressure, high blood sugar (diabetes), or high cholesterol, a history of arteriosclerosis is a known risk for cardiovascular events. Arteriosclerosis occurs when the blood vessels that carry oxygen and nutrients from the heart to the rest of the body become thick and stiff — a condition commonly called hardening of the arteries.

Studies have shown that taking an amino acid in garlic called allicin is among the best supplements for heart health because it is effective in reducing blood pressure in hypertensive patients, similarly to standard anti‑hypertensive medications. Additionally, the study summarized evidence that taking vitamin B12 plays an important role in the responsiveness of blood pressure to garlic. Furthermore, it was found that a specific type of garlic provided the most significant results — Kyolic aged garlic extract. The Kyolic aged garlic was noted as “highly tolerable with a high safety profile either as a stand‑alone or adjunctive anti‑hypertensive treatment, with multiple benefits for cardiovascular health.”

Which of these supplements for heart health should you take?

Heart disease is the leading cause of death for both men and women in the United States. It’s not something to ignore! Begin implementing health habits and take two of more of these heart-healthy supplements. If you don’t have any contraindications, it’s fine to take all five supplements at one time. Be sure to follow the manufacturer’s dosing instructions. If you do have an existing medical condition, be sure to talk with your doctor before beginning this supplement regimen.

References:

[1] CDC Heart Disease Facts retrieved July 26, 2021.

[2] American Heart Association, What COVID is Doing to the Heart Even After Recovery, retrieved July 26, 2021.

[3] Antioxidants. 2020 April;9(4),341.

[4] J. Clin. Med. 2020 April;9(5),1266.

[5] Eur. J. Heart Fail. 2008;10,1255–1263.

[6] Br. J. Gen. Pract. 2006;56437–443.

[7] Phytotherapy Res. 2002;16,48–54.

[8] Cur. Cardiology Reports. 2020 Feb; 22.

[9] Stroke. 2010 April;41:1285–1289.

[10] Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2020 Feb;21(4),1362.

[11] Nutrients. 2021 Jan;13(1),204.

[12] Cur. Med. Chem. 2020 May;28(6), 1197-1223(27).

[13] Exp. and Ther. Med. 2019 Dec;1472-1478.

[14] BMC Complement Med. Ther. 2020 April;132.

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