The 5 Supplements Your Heart Needs
A strong supplement plan alone is not the only factor for a heart-healthy lifestyle but these 5 essential supplements are a great place to start.
Cardiovascular disease has long been and continues to be the number one killer in the U.S. What are we doing wrong? In addition to lack of exercise or a family history of heart disease, we’re also not getting enough of the nutrients that our hearts needs to stay healthy.
Whether your goal is to prevent heart disease or to minimize cardiovascular risk factors you currently have, there are specific heart supplements to address those needs.
CoEnzyme Q10 (CoQ10)
Our most vital organ needs ALOT of energy to keep our body running, making CoEnzyme Q10 one of the most important heart health supplements. CoQ10 “recharges” the mitochondria in our cells to produce ATP. This in turn is used to power every cell in your body, especially your heart.
CoQ10 is also a powerful antioxidant that helps to fight free radicals. In addition, CoQ10 helps maintain healthy blood pressure and cholesterol levels, promotes arterial health, and supports a strong heartbeat.
See Whole Health's CoEnzyme Q10 Supplements
Recommended if: You are over 30 years old or take statin drugs
Daily Dosage: 100 to 300mg daily
Aspirin
Most heart attacks and strokes occur when the blood supply to your heart or brain is blocked. Here is the breakdown:
• If a blood clot blocks a blood vessel that feeds the heart, it causes a heart attack.
• If a blood clot blocks a blood vessel that feeds the brain, it causes a stroke.
Aspirin is an anti-inflammatory medicine that thins your blood, making it more difficult for your body to develop cloths that can cause heart attacks and strokes. Aspirin is also shown to be especially effective in men. Because aspirin thins the blood, it can cause several complications. Talk to your doctor if any of these situations apply to you.
Recommended if: You've had a previous cardiac event or have a family history of heart attack
Daily Dosage: One 80 mg baby aspirin tablet daily
Fish Oil
According the American Heart Association, people should add a fish oil supplement to their diet to help prevent heart related events. Some benefits include:
- Reduces risk of stroke and heart attacks
- Balances blood pressure and triglycerides
- Prevents cholesterol from getting out of control
The most important action of omega-3s is it’s anti-inflammatory properties. Inflammation amplifies just about every degenerative disease known - including heart disease.
If you don’t like eating fish, you can get your omega-3 dose from fish and krill oil supplements, flaxseeds, unprocessed nuts, green vegetables, and some vegetable oils including canola.
See Whole Health's Fish Oil Supplements
Recommended if: You have high triglycerides or a family history heart disease
Daily Dosage: 1,000 mg daily or a serving of fish twice a week
Hawthorn
Also known as the “heart” herb, Hawthorn (Crataegus oxyacantha) is one of the most effective herbs for congestive heart failure (CHF), chest pain, and irregular heartbeat.
This magic herb increases blood flow and improves the heart’s ability to pump blood through the body more efficiently. Recent research indicates that hawthorn may help strengthen the blood vessels and stabilize it against heartbeat irregularities.
Hawthorn is also considered to be powerful antioxidant to optimize your heart’s health, improving cardiovascular function, quality of life and longevity. For synergistic effects, combine Hawthorn extract with a Magnesium supplement.
Recommended if: You are in the early stages of congestive heart failure
Daily Dosage: 300 – 600 mg of Hawthorn Extract taken 3 times daily
Garlic
Garlic promotes heart and cardiovascular health and helps maintain cholesterol levels that are already within the normal range. Garlic also lower your risk of blood clots by slowing the build up of plaque in your arteries.
Recommended if: You have higher than average cholesterol
Daily Dosage: 600-1,200mg daily divided into multiple doses