Heart health supplements: Which ones really work
First, let's set it straight. Heart health supplements are special extracts from plants and animals which are consumed in much higher quantities, than they could ever be acquired through regular diet.
On the other hand, herbs are pure extracts of mother nature in its natural form, such as hawthorn and garlic.
Good example of supplements are fish oil, DIM or creatine.
Now, when we said that, we can continue.
Supplements have some qualities that herbs lack and vice versa.
On the other hand, supplements for heart disease are often much stronger than the herbs because of which caution should be advised while using some of them, especially if you are already taking prescription drugs.
HOW THESE SUPPLEMENTS WORK
Most of these heart disease supplements, are strong antioxidants. They can neutralize free radicals, regenerate other antioxidants (ALA) and reduce the risk of inflammation thereby preventing tissue damage.
Others may improve heart function (Coenzyme Q10), lipid levels (Fish oil) or hormonal balance (Vitamin D and DIM).
LIST OF HEART HEALTH SUPPLEMENTS
Fish oil supplements are the second most sold supplements in the world, right next to the multivitamin. They can lower LDL cholesterol and triglycerides, raise HDL cholesterol, stabilize blood clotting mechanisms, reduce blood pressure and the risk of heart attack.
While buying fish oil supplements, you have to take in a considiration the purity, potency and place of origin.
Coenzyme Q10 is fat-soluble, vitamin like substance found in mitochondria, where it is used for production of ATP. ATP is a molecule which carries energy for heart function. It has been proven connection between lack of coenzyme Q10 and heart disease.
Levels of this antioxidant diminish with age. It is also, one of the two best supplements for heart disease since it may improve ejection fraction of the heart muscle.
Acetyl l carnitine is an amino acid which is naturally produced in the body. It is more bioavailable and more useful than L-carnitine.
It is one of those heart health supplements which is also great for the brain function since it can cross the blood-brain barier. Heart muscle tends to be particularly vulnerable to carnitine deficiency because of its high energy requirements.
Alpha lipoic acid or ALA is fatty acid found inside every cell in our body. It is a powerful antioxidant that regenerates other antioxidants.
It is one of heart disease supplements which is also great for the liver and blood sugar control. However, its true power comes from the ability to regenerate other antioxidants, in the body.
ALA and carnitine supplements are more suited for people above the age of 40.
Lycopene is another great antioxidant found in fruits and vegetables but is mostly consumed via tomatoes and tomato based products. In one study,women with the highest concentrations of lycopene in their blood, had 50 % reduced risk of heart disease.
Because of this study, it has gained a lot of attention. It has become one of the most interesting heart health supplements.
Astaxanthin is a carotenoid like lycopene, something like lycopene's big brother but it is much stonger antioxidant. Unlike some carotenoids, it is not converted to vitamin A which can be toxic, in high concentrations.
Astaxanthin reduces arterial plaque formation, protects cells from oxidative damage and the skin from UV light. It may even help increase endurance and reduce the risk of hypertension and stroke.
Vitamin D is a special kind of vitamin which is actually a hormone. It is also the only kind of vitamin, you should take as a supplement. All other vitamins you can get from foods, even if your diet is not the most healthiest. Although it is found in some foods, the amount is very small.
Only real sources of vitamin D, are the sun and the supplements. That being said, the list of benefits is getting bigger every day, includingvitamin D benefits for treating heart disease.
Salicin is natural compound found in higher quantities, in several herbs. It is metabolised into salicylic acid, in the stomach which is also found in aspirin.
Salicin is natural blood thinner and anti-inflammatory compound which can be used in treatment of heart disease. However, it is most effective for lowering the risk of heart attack, by reducing formation of blood clots.
Diindolylmethane or simply DIM is one of those supplements which can be extremly helpful, if heart disease was caused by unbalanced sex hormones. By improving testosterone to estrogen ratio, heart function also improves. However, diindolylmethane benefits don't stop there.
TIP
Taking few of these heart health supplements together with the most useful supplement for heart disease, fish oil, can have more stronger effect.
WHERE TO BUY SUPPLEMENTS
I tried a lot of supplements, before I found couple of them that really work for me. During that time, I always searched for online web store with whom I could save few bucks.
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CONCLUSION
First of all, same as with herbs, food and healthy diet are the foundation of your heart disease treatment. After you establish healthy eating habits, you can consider about adding supplements to your diet.
If you ask me which supplements are the most effective for treating heart disease, I would say fish oil, alongside Coenzyme Q10. Although other heart disease supplements can help, they still aren't the first choice for treating heart disease.
Only exception would be vitamin D3 and DIM. Vitamin D3 may lower blood pressure due to its effect on renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system, while diindolylmethane may have positive effect on the heart function, by improving T to E ratio.
Before taking any of these heart health supplements consult with your doctor, for possible side effects or interactions.
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