Supplements Necessary For A Healthy Heart

According to the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA), the number one cause of death in the U.S. is due to medical errors. However, heart disease and stroke are the most common cardiovascular diseases (CVD) and account for nearly 40 percent of all CVD deaths. That is one death every 35 seconds. And today, more than 70 million Americans currently live with cardiovascular disease. Despite the frightening statistics, Americans have become more aware of heart-healthful habits and products.

As of November 2004, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved heart-healthy claims for several foods, including soy, fiber and olive oil. Furthermore, the American College of Cardiology 2004 national guidelines recommended therapeutic lifestyle changes (TLC) as the standard of care in the management of CVD risk factors: “Many patients with classic cardiovascular disease risk factors can achieve risk-reduction goals without medications within three months of initiating therapeutic lifestyle changes.” Here is the list of heart-healthy supplements that will help ensure your important muscle keeps ticking for years to come.

Alpha-Lipoic Acid

“Alpha-lipoic acid (ALA) has been identified as a powerful antioxidant found naturally in our diets, but it appears to have increased functional capacity when given as a supplement in the form of a natural or synthetic isolate,” stated Canadian researchers in the November 2003 issue of the Journal of Nutrition. They also noted that ALA prevents cardiovascular risk factors such as LDL oxidation and high blood pressure. Antioxidants are believed to help prevent disease by fighting free radicals. Without adequate amounts of antioxidants, these free radicals travel throughout the body, damaging cells and leading to the oxidation of cholesterol. This oxidation contributes to the buildup of fatty plaque on artery walls (atherosclerosis), which can eventually slow or block blood flow.

Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10)

Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) is produced by the human body and is necessary for the basic functioning of cells. CoQ10 levels are reported to decrease with age and to be low in patients with some chronic diseases such as heart conditions. Some prescription drugs, such as statins, may also lower CoQ10 levels. Preliminary research suggests that CoQ10 causes decreases in blood pressure. In fact, low blood levels of CoQ10 have been found in people with hypertension.

Fiber

As evidenced by the FDA’s July 2003 approval of a qualified health claim, fiber is a good way to protect against coronary heart disease (CHD). Dietary fiber also seems to prevent peripheral arterial disease (PAD) in men, according to a November 2003 study of more than 46,000 men.

Folic Acid (Folate)

Similar to fiber, folic acid is known to decrease CVD risk in men, as noted in the September 2003 issue of the Journal of Nutrition. The B vitamin at 800 micrograms (mcg) per day also appears to reduce young women’s risk of developing high blood pressure, as reported by Harvard researchers at an October 2004 meeting of the American Heart Association.

Garlic

Aged garlic extract has a history of reducing several cardiovascular risk factors, including blood pressure, cholesterol and platelet aggregation, according to the November 2004 issue of Preventive Medicine. Garlic also slows coronary calcification, a marker of arterial plaque formation.

Green Tea

Published in July 2004 in Circulation Journal, drinking green tea reduces the risk of coronary artery disease (CAD).

Lycopene

In addition to receiving media attention for reducing the risk of prostate and breast cancers, lycopene is an antioxidant known for diminishing the risk of heart disease. Higher serum lycopene levels reduce the risk of CVD by half, according to a study of more than 39,500 women reported in the January 2004 issue of the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.

Olive Oil

Previously recognized as an integral part of the heart-healthy Mediterranean diet, intake of 23 grams of olive oil per day may lower the risk of CHD.

Omega-3 Fatty Acids

Fish oil contains both docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), while some nuts (English walnuts) and vegetable oils (canola, soybean, flaxseed/linseed, olive) contain alpha-linolenic acid (ALA). Regular consumption of oily fish or fish oil/omega-3 supplements (containing 850 – 1800mg of EPA and DHA) reduces the risk of non-fatal heart attack, fatal heart attack and sudden death by more than 50 percent in some studies. Plant-based sources of omega-3 include all green leafy vegetables, flax seed, and walnuts. Flax seed ground/oil and fish oil are the richest and most abundant sources of omega-3 fatty acids. Be absolutely sure that the fish oil, EPA/DHA essential fatty acids are free of heavy metals, dioxins, PCBs, yeast, molds and bacteria.

Soy

Like fiber and omega-3s, soy has received FDA approval for a heart-health claim. One study, which was published in September 2003 in the Journal of Nutrition, showed that of 65,000 women, those who had the highest soy food intakes were at a reduced risk of heart disease.

Vitamin E

The antioxidant properties of Vitamin E has undergone many studies, however, the designs of some of the studies left their results open to question. Properly conducted studies have shown that vitamin E has positive effects for those with atherosclerosis and heart disease.

Tips To Ensure Healthy Heart

To reduce your risk of heart disease, it remains important to decrease your risk factors using proven methods with your vitamin supplementation:

1. Minimize your stress! Your life depends on it.
2. Quit smoking and using tobacco products.
3. Have your doctor check your lipid profile, hs C Reactive Protein (hsCRP) and homocysteine. HsCRP is a general marker of arterial inflammation and is four times a better indicator of the risk for heart disease than cholesterol levels.
4. Eat foods low in saturated fat and cholesterol and rich in fiber and nutrients (including antioxidants).
5. Eat five to 10 servings of fruit and vegetables each day including nuts and seeds, preferably organic!
6. Be active and exercise regularly.
7. Control high blood pressure and diabetes.
8. Achieve and maintain an appropriate weight.
9. Have regular check-ups with your doctor.
10. Ask your doctor about taking aspirin (between 80 and 160 mg once a day).
11. Take a multivitamin containing magnesium.

Good foods should outshine supplements, but the reality is many people do not eat healthy. Also, the nutrient content of our food today is not what it used to be due to the change in soil conditions and harvesting techniques. Be sure to monitor your medications and supplements with your physician for optimal heart health. And remember laughter is always the best medicine.