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What Vitamins Are Good For Heart Health

Vitamin And Supplement Glossary: Common Definitions

5 Supplements for Heart Health & Prediabetes

This glossary provides simple definitions for common terms such as âantioxidants,â âfat soluble,â and âphytochemicals.â Find out what the lingo really means.

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American Heart Association: “Drug Therapy for High Cholesterol.”

Archives of Internal Medicine: “Effect of raw garlic vs commercial garlic supplements on plasma lipid concentrations in adults with moderate hypercholesterolemia: a randomized clinical trial.”

Consumer Reports: “Heart Supplements: Proceed with Caution.”

David Kiefer, MD, assistant clinical professor of medicine, University of Arizona, Tucson.

Institute of Medicine.

National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine: “Garlic.”

Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database: “CoQ10,â âGarlic,â âFish oil,â âSoy,â “Natural Medicines in the Clinical Management of Hyperlipidemia,â “Natural Medicines in the Clinical Management of Hypertension.”

ORIGIN Trial Investigators. New England Journal of Medicine, 2012.

PubMed Health: “Niacin.”

Health Benefits Of Blueberries

Blueberries, unsurprisingly, offer several health benefits. According to Susan Greeley, RD and a chef-instructor at the Institute of Culinary Education, they are beneficial for heart health, arthritis, fueling good gut bacteria, and immune function. Blueberries are excellent brain food, she adds.

Blueberries are a potent source of powerful phytonutrient compounds, including anthocyanin , she says. strong antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects in the body that help protect against Alzheimers and Parkinsons disease, as well as normal cellular aging from oxidative stress.

Are Blueberries Good For Your Stomach

In general, blueberries are good for keeping your stomach happy, Greeley says. Blueberries specifically work as pre-biotics to help feed” good gut bacteria, as well as offer beneficial fiber for gastrointestinal health that may also protect against esophageal, colon, and other cancers. People with irritable bowel syndrome or other digestive disorders may find that they have to limit them if they find that too much of them upsets their stomach.

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Are Garlic Supplements Good For You

Garlic has been used since ancient times for its health-promoting and disease-preventing properties. Most of garlics health benefits are due to its sulfur compounds, primarily allicin.

Allicin is a compound that only remains stable for a short time after raw garlic has been crushed or chopped. Although research over the years has been conflicting, newer studies suggest that allicin found in garlic powder supplements can be absorbed by your body as efficiently as crushed raw garlic.

This should come as good news, especially for those who wish to avoid the pungent, spicy taste of raw garlic but want to enjoy the health benefits.

The strongest research to date supports garlics ability to lower total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol. LDL cholesterol is considered the bad cholesterol because high levels in your blood increase your risk of heart attack or stroke.

It may take as long as eight weeks to use a garlic supplement to see lower cholesterol levels consistently.

Although additional studies are still needed, garlic may also be able to reduce the risk of other chronic diseases, thanks to its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.

According to one recent 2020 review published in the journal Antioxidants, garlic may help:

  • Reduce blood pressure
  • Supports a healthy immune function
  • Lacks third-party testing

This supplement contains 10 milligrams of odorless garlic oil, which is equivalent to 1,000 milligrams of fresh garlic bulb.

Natural Ways To Reduce Blood Pressure And Improve Memory

Heart Health Supplement: The Life Pill

Certain vitamins play an important role in keeping your brain and heart healthy. The right vitamins can improve cognitive function, protect your brain, help ward off memory loss, improve blood pressure and reduce your risk for stroke and heart disease.

Ultimately, food is your best source of vitamins. The next time youre at the grocery store, stock up on these foods, which pack a punch for both your heart and brain health.

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Supplements That Dont Work

About half the U.S. adult population is reported to use various vitamins and minerals in the hopes theyll either prevent or help heart disease.

However, when researchers examined the medical literature related to multivitamins and multiminerals, antioxidants, folic acid, vitamin E, niacin , and beta carotene, no real benefits in either preventing or treating heart disease were found.

Although theres a large body of observational data indicating that low serum levels of vitamin D seem to be linked to an increased risk of heart disease, recent studies havent confirmed that this supplement is of any benefit, either.

Bhusri says he does recommend it for his patients, however.

He points to recent studies indicating that people with a deficiency show improvements when using prescription vitamin D.

Vitamin D deficiency is easily checked with a blood test, says Bhusri.

No Good Evidence That Vitamins Prevent Heart Disease Or Cancer Panel Says

Vitamins and supplements offer little to no benefit in preventing cancer or heart disease, a new review of 84 studies found.

Based on that conclusion, an independent panel of experts at the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force said on Tuesday that it had insufficient evidence to either recommend or discourage the use of multivitamins or supplements to prevent those health outcomes.

The review examined the impacts of popular supplements like beta carotene, folic acid, calcium, magnesium, selenium and zinc, as well as multivitamins and vitamins A, B, C, D and E.

But the guidance came with caveats: It does not apply to children, people who are chronically ill or those with a known nutritional deficiency. The task force also recommended a daily folic acid supplement for people who are pregnant or considering pregnancy.

For the average healthy adult, however, “theres no reason to start taking dietary supplements more broadly,” said Dr. Howard Sesso, associate director of the Division of Preventive Medicine at Brigham and Womens Hospital. Sesso is not a member of the task force but two of his studies were included in the review.

“For those who are currently taking a multivitamin in particular, I dont think this statement necessarily ought to change what youre doing, but its always important to reevaluate why youre taking dietary supplements,” Sesso said.

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Vitamins And Your Heart

Do vitamin and mineral supplements really promote heart health? Some older studies suggested that calcium supplements have heart health benefits. Studies on fish oil showed it was is good for your heart, too. But calcium supplements have come under scrutiny following a report that men who took more than 1,000 milligrams of supplemental calcium daily over a 12-year period were 20% more likely to succumb to heart disease than those who didn’t take the pills. And while some studies have found that popping fish oil capsules lowers the chance of having a heart attack or other related problem, others have failed to find such benefits.

Some observational studies have also shown links between heart health and higher intakes of certain vitamins specifically, vitamins C and E, beta carotene, and three B vitamins . But more rigorous studies that compared people who took specific vitamins with those who took placebos have come up short. In fact, guidelines from the American Heart Association state that supplements of the vitamins listed above should not be taken to prevent heart disease. Not only do they not help, there’s even some suggestion that taking vitamin E supplements may slightly raise the risk of heart failure and hemorrhagic strokes.

What Are The Best Vitamins To Take For Your Heart

The Best Vitamin for Your Heart

What are the Best Vitamins to Take for Your Heart?Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in the United States. Nearly half of all Americans have at least one of the three risk factors for heart disease. High cholesterol, high blood pressure, and smoking are the leading risk factors. These risk factors can lead to heart failure, heart attack, stroke, or even death.

2) Folic AcidFolic acid is a B vitamin. Folic acid has been proven to lower homocysteine levels, which can harden arteries. You can get plenty of folic acids through foods like spinach, asparagus, and whole grains.3) Omega 3 Fatty AcidFound in oils from certain types of fish, vegetables, and other plants, omega-3 fatty acids have many health benefits including lowering blood pressure. Research shows that omega-3 led to a 28% reduced risk of heart attacks, and a 50% reduced risk of death. These fatty acids are not produced in the body, so they must be consumed through your diet or supplements. You can use fish oil supplements to get omega-3.

It is important to see a doctor regularly to have your blood pressure and cholesterol levels checked, especially if you have a family history of heart disease. If you are at risk for heart disease or have any questions about your heart, please schedule an appointment with CVG. Our experienced team of doctors will walk you through every step of learning about heart care and treating heart problems and conditions!

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What Vitamins Are Good For Heart Health

Nutrients in multivitamins work together to support your body and reduce your risk of certain conditions, such as heart disease, metabolic syndrome, type 2 diabetes, osteoporosis and other age or nutrition-related illnesses. Some vitamins have a more prominent role in cardiovascular health, however, including:

  • Vitamin C

  • CoQ10

  • Magnesium

Vitamin C, found in most multivitamins for heart health, acts as an antioxidant that scavenges free radicals reactive waste products that may damage your cells, blood vessels and organs. Vitamin C has a protective effect on your cardiovascular system and may also help lower high blood pressure, cholesterol and other heart disease risk factors. CoQ10 has similar effects and may work well with vitamin C to guard against the development and progression of cardiovascular disease.

Folic acid is another of the best vitamins for heart health and may help protect against heart attacks and strokes. It helps control inflammation and assists with the detoxification of compounds that damage your blood vessels. Taken in sufficient daily amounts with vitamin B12 and magnesium, it may also help you manage your blood pressure better.

How To Choose A Heart Health Supplement

When choosing heart health supplements, Sirchio-Lotus recommends looking for products that dont contain unwanted ingredients such as artificial colors or fillers.

Before going the supplement route, talk to your healthcare team about getting tested to see if youre deficient in certain nutrients.

Also, look for supplements that have theUSP Verified mark. USP is an independent, non-profit organization that sets federally recognized public standards of quality for dietary supplements. Their approval indicates the product has met high-quality standards.

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Supplements For Heart Health

Since nutritional supplements arent regulated by the Food and Drug Administration , Sirchio-Lotus recommends speaking with your physician before you begin taking any new supplement.

Supplements provide wonderful health benefits, but can also be problematic, since they can sometimes interact with each other, as well as over-the-counter and prescription medications, Sirchio-Lotus says. A discussion with your healthcare team or your pharmacist can help you to avoid any unexpected side effects.

Vitamin And Supplement Store

Heart Supplements to Support Cardiovascular &  Circulatory Health ...

Since 1988, ProHealth has been proud to offer you a wide variety of the highest quality, best researched nutritional supplements available to help you live a healthy, happy life. Our selection of vitamins and supplements features trusted brands with research-backed ingredients to ensure you get exactly what you need to live your best life. Whether you are looking for something to help you maintain healthy digestion, a fish oil to support heart health, or coconut oil for its many applications, we have you covered with high-quality products from some of the most trusted names on todays market.

When you approach the topic of wellness, it’s important to have accurate, up-to-date information. Our goal is to supply you with the facts you need to help you make an informed decision. While this doesnt replace having an open dialogue with your doctor regarding your best plan of action, it can be a relevant starting point whether you’re looking for a refresher or an introductory level of information on a specific topic or supplement type.

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Harms Of Vitamin/mineral Supplementation

Dietary vitamin and mineral supplements are not benign. Major and minor adverse effects have been reported in the RCTs discussed above. The ATBC and CARET trials evaluated the benefit of beta-carotene supplementation in individuals with a high baseline risk of developing lung cancer, and both trials reported an increased incidence of lung cancer in higher-risk subjects receiving beta-carotene.16 The PHS II and Women’s Health Study, however, did not show similar effects on lung cancer mortality with beta-carotene, probably due to the low baseline risk of lung cancer in the participants. The USPSTF currently recommends against use of beta-carotene for cancer prevention or cardiovascular diseases.4

As mentioned previously, an increased incidence of hemorrhagic stroke was reported in the vitamin E arm of PHS II but was not validated in other trials. In the SELECT trial, an increased risk of prostate cancer was reported after extended follow-up.33 Similar effects on cancer incidence with vitamin E or selenium were not reported in other trials.

Two prospective cohort studies, the Iowa Women’s Health study and the Nurses’ Health Study, reported an increased incidence of hip fractures with excessive vitamin A use in post-menopausal women.34,35

Other reported minor adverse effects include hypercarotenemia or yellowing of the skin with beta-carotene, rashes and minor bleeding events with multivitamins, and gastrointestinal symptoms with selenium.16

The Truth About Heart Vitamins And Supplements

If eating a heart-healthy diet is good for your heart, you might wonder iftaking vitamins and other nutritional supplements that are touted asheart-healthy further protects you from cardiovascular disease.

The bottom line is, we dont recommend supplements to treat or to preventcardiovascular disease, says Johns Hopkins physicianEdgar R. Miller III, M.D., Ph.D., whose research review on the topic has been published in the Annals of Internal Medicine.The good news is, you dont have tospend any money on supplements.

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More Health In The News

One more benefit to getting vitamin K in your diet: It doesnt take much effort to see benefits. In the recent study, those who had more of the vitamin didnt see greater benefits, said Bondonno. So, adding options like chard or spinach to a meal every day is likely enough of a heart booster, she said.

The multitude of bioactive compounds in vitamin K-rich vegetables can protect you against other chronic diseases in many different ways, she said. And the takeaway is that they help protect against cardiovascular disease as well.

Help Your Heart With B

Heart Healthy Supplements – CoQ10 and Omega-3

Disclaimer: Results are not guaranteed*** and may vary from person to person***.

by Cate Stevenson, BA

The B vitamins are, without a doubt, essential for maintaining good health. Heres a quick review of some of the complex jobs this group of vitamins could help with.

Thiamin, or vitamin B1, is a critical nutrient for brain health. It is used to manufacture neurotransmitters that carry signals throughout your body. In particular, your memory and mental performance rely on one transmitter called acetylcholine. B1 is needed for the production of this neurotransmitter.

Vitamin B6 is a water-soluble vitamin that plays a big role in many different bodily functions. In order to metabolize proteins, there are more than 100 enzymes in your body that rely on vitamin B6. The more protein you eat, the more vitamin B6 is needed.

Vitamin B12 ensures your red blood cells are made properly, including your DNA. When cells rapidly divide, B12 is needed. In fact, anywhere in your body that has a high turnover of cells for example, your intestines and your blood requires adequate amounts of B12. Among its many roles, vitamin B12 helps you maintain a healthy nervous system. Specifically, it helps protect the important protein myelin that surrounds your nerve cells.

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Vitamins For Heart Health

Below are some suggested vitamins to look into for heart health. Remember that naturally getting these vitamins from food is the most effective method and best for our bodies to process.

Vitamin K

This vitamin is found in leafy greens think spinach, broccoli, kale, or asparagus. You can also find them in legumes . Vitamin K can also be found in smaller amounts through strawberries and eggs. This vitamin is typically not found in a supplement form, so its essential to incorporate certain foods to ensure consumption of this beneficial vitamin.

Vitamin K is essential in helping blood clot which prevents uncontrolled bleeding within the body.

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Higher levels of vitamin K have also been inversely linked to atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease .

This type of CVD means that the patient has a build-up of fats, cholesterol, or other substances on the artery walls. The study found that the increased levels of vitamin K in the body reduced the risk of being diagnosed with ASCVD.

Fiber

This is a lesser-known vitamin tied to heart health, but just as important. Fiber is naturally found in fruits, vegetables, legumes, and grains. Fiber helps to reduce the amount of cholesterol that your body soaks up from food.

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Popular Heart Health Vitamins

You may have read claims that these vitamins or supplements can benefit your heart health. Heres what we know.

Fish oil

To date, only large doses of prescription fish oil may have some cardiac benefit.

However, for patients with atrial fibrillation, fish oil may actually increase the risk for more atrial fibrillation. Also, it can cause increased bleeding.

Dr. Cho recommends that people dont take fish oil unless your doctor suggests it for other medical reasons.

Magnesium

Many of us get enough magnesium each day by eating foods like spinach, nuts and avocados.

But if you have a magnesium deficiency, you may develop symptoms like numbness and tingling, personality changes, abnormal heart rhythms and seizures.

If you experience fatigue or have muscle spasms, weakness or stiffness, its important to talk to your doctor. Your doctor will run a blood test or check calcium and potassium levels to help pinpoint the problem.

But taking a magnesium supplement if your levels are normal hasnt been shown to help with heart health.

Folic acid

One of the B vitamins, folic acid may help lower homocysteine levels, which can harden arteries.

While the amino acid has been linked to heart disease, studies have been mixed on whether folic acid may prevent heart attacks and strokes.

Most of us dont need to take a folic acid supplement. Instead, make sure you get enough folate by eating foods like spinach, asparagus and whole grains.

CoQ10

Fiber

Red yeast rice

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