7 Best Supplements for Heart Health
Taking steps to maintain a healthy heart may help you avoid or control chronic conditions such as atherosclerosis, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, obesity and type II diabetes. Any one of these conditions can increase your risk of getting cardiovascular (heart) disease, or having a heart attack, cardiac arrest or stroke. The truth is that someone in the U.S. dies from cardiovascular disease every 36 seconds. It is the cause of one in every four deaths.
If you want to stay healthy and enjoy life, taking steps to protect your heart is a good idea. Maintaining a healthy diet, getting regular exercise, controlling your weight, and staying away from tobacco products are all helpful. Some targeted supplements that support heart health can help, too.
How can supplements for heart health be beneficial? This guide will discuss the perks of adding them to your daily routine and recommend some of the best for protecting your heart.
Heart Health and the Role of Vitamins and Supplements
Lifestyle changes can help you maintain a healthy heart. There are other ways you can reduce the risk of developing chronic health conditions, too. Certain vitamins and supplements can help prevent or control high blood pressure, high cholesterol, or high blood sugar.
Here are four reasons vitamins can support your heart and help you stay healthy:
Atherosclerosis is a condition in which fat and cholesterol build up on the walls of the arteries. This buildup is called plaque, and eventually it can restrict blood flow through the arteries. If the blockage is bad enough, the arteries can become blocked completely.
If the coronary artery becomes blocked, it can lead to coronary heart disease or a heart attack (myocardial infarction). A stroke occurs when the artery leading to the brain becomes blocked.
Arteriosclerosis is a condition in which the blood vessels become thick and stiff, which also restricts blood flow. Supplements such as omega-3 fatty acids have been found to help keep plaque from building up in your arteries. They may also help keep your blood pressure down and promote a normal heart rhythm. Fish oil supplements are a great source of omega-3 fatty acids.
Some supplements contain antioxidants, which are powerful molecules that fight free radicals in the body. Free radicals are harmful compounds that attack and damage the cells, which can lead to several serious health conditions, from diabetes and heart disease to cancer. Antioxidants help “fight” free radicals to prevent and protect against cell damage.
Your body can get antioxidants from foods like fruits, vegetables and other plant-based foods. Most people, however, do not get enough antioxidants from their diet alone. That’s where vitamins and supplements come in. Vitamins A, E, and C are strong antioxidants that fight free radicals and help protect your cells.
You may know that vitamin D is good for your bones, but did you know it may also be vital to your heart’s health? Some studies suggest it may help lower your risk of heart disease.
Vitamin D is sometimes called “the sunshine vitamin” since your body makes it when it’s exposed to the sun. Modern life means a lot of us spend all day inside an office, however, and as a consequence, we don’t get enough sunlight. If you don’t get enough sunlight, your body can’t make vitamin D, which leads to many health problems. Taking vitamin D supplements can help ensure you get enough to stay healthy, protect your bones, and your heart.
High blood pressure can lead to hardening and thickening of the arteries, which puts you at increased risk of having a heart attack or stroke. Weakened blood vessels can start to bulge, forming an aneurysm. If the aneurysm bursts, it can be life-threatening.
A mineral called magnesium can help control high blood pressure. Certain foods such as leafy green vegetables, beans, nuts and soybeans contain magnesium, but supplements will also ensure you get enough of this powerful mineral.
A balanced, healthy diet filled with nutritious foods is crucial to your health, including that of your heart. It can be tough to get enough of the nutrients you need from diet alone, however. This is where supplements can help.
7 Vitamins and Supplements That Promote Heart Health
Many supplements for heart health are available and finding the right ones may seem overwhelming. Below is a list of some of our top choices, but before taking any supplements, speak to your doctor to make sure they will not interfere with or decrease the effectiveness of current prescription medications. Here are some great options for boosting your heart health:
Cardio Support Formula
Cardio Support supplies many heart-healthy nutrients, including folic acid, vitamins B-12 and B6, and green tea extract. Folic acid, vitamin B-12, and B-6 regulate healthy blood homocysteine levels. Green tea extract contains the potent antioxidant, EGCG, as well as L-carnitine, which helps produce energy for cardio health.
Cholesterol Support
Cholesterol Support is packed with vitamins, minerals, herbs and nutraceuticals, which work together to support healthy cholesterol levels. It also contains soybean extract and plant sterols, which promote healthy lipid management, another important factor in maintaining good cholesterol.
Nutrients include:
- Policosanol
- Guggulipids
- Pantethine
- Chromium
- Niacin
- Homocysteine factors (B-6, B-12 and folic acid)
Cholesterol Support contains six proven, patented, trademarked ingredients listed which have a scientific background in supporting healthy cholesterol levels.
Pathway Vitamin D
Vitamin D has been shown to support cardiovascular health. Studies show that vitamin D and fish oil have helped reduce heart attack risks.
Blood Pressure Support
Blood Pressure Support provides the nutrients needed to support healthy blood pressure. It also contains hawthorn, which can benefit your circulation system.
Pathway Super Omega-3
Omega-3s, particularly in fish oils, can improve chronic inflammation by significantly changing the molecules that play a role in creating an inflammatory response. Omega-3s found in fish oils also trick the eicosanoid pathway into producing anti-inflammatory signals. The eicosanoid pathway is responsible for turning on and off inflammation. Evidence shows that heart disease is a result of too much C-reactive protein in the body, which is a response to inflammation.
Pathway Resveratrol Plus
Pathway Resveratrol Plus contains trans-resveratrol and grape seed extract, which provide powerful antioxidant protection. Resveratrol has been found to activate the sirtuin family of proteins, which provide anti-aging benefits and preserve healthy cells.
Ubiquinol CoQH
Ubiquinol CoQH is a powerful antioxidant that combats free radicals and protects healthy living cells. Medications and certain diseases can affect how your body oxidizes CoQ10 (ubiquinone) as you age. Ubiquinol CoQH can help improve antioxidant support and cellular energy production.
Speak with a trusted pharmacist or nutrition expert about which supplements and vitamins to take for heart health. They will help you incorporate what’s right for your lifestyle.
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Your heart’s well-being is extremely important to your overall health. Heart disease is a leading cause of death in the United States, so taking steps to maintain this vital organ – like eating a healthy diet, lowering stress and getting regular exercise – is key to health maintenance.
Vitamins and supplements can help preserve your heart’s health when diet isn’t enough. Incorporating the right ones into your routine provides great benefits, such as blood pressure management, antioxidant protection, and healthy heart muscle function. Village Green Apothecary can help you support your heart health goals.
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