Supplement for Heart

Best Supplements for Heart Health
Eating well, engaging in regular physical activity, and managing stress create a solid foundation of support for cardiovascular health.

In addition, certain natural health products have been found to support heart health by maintaining antioxidant status, blood pressure, triglycerides, and cholesterol.

It’s advisable to consult with your physician prior to use if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, or if you are taking any prescription medication.

Omega-3
Consuming eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) omega-3 fatty acids supports cardiovascular health[7,8] and helps reduce serum triglycerides. [9,10]

The most protective effects of omega-3 fatty acids for the heart are provided by marine sources such as fish or krill, which provide EPA and DHA.

In fact, krill oil contains phospholipid-bound omega-3 fatty acid for more efficient absorption and bioavailability of EPA and DHA, while providing natural sources of important antioxidants such as astaxanthin [11].

Coenzyme Q10
Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) is a fat-soluble molecule that is important for cellular energy and heart health. This coenzyme is produced via the same pathway as cholesterol and, when we are young, our bodies are generally able to keep up with demand. As we age, however, CoQ10 production is less efficient and our blood levels begin to decline [12]. Older adults are also more likely to be prescribed statins and beta blockers to inhibit cholesterol production. Unfortunately, these medications also reduce CoQ10 production.

In supplement form, CoQ10 is best provided as ubiquinol, the active form of the nutrient as produced by the body itself. Ubiquinol is better absorbed and can produce higher concentrations of CoQ10 in the blood than regular CoQ10 (ubiquinone). This makes it especially helpful for seniors or anyone looking to support and maintain cardiovascular health.

Plant Sterols
Plant sterols, also called phytosterols, are cholesterol-like compounds found in plant cell membranes. Plants sterols can naturally be found in vegetables, fruits, and grains. Research shows that plant sterols help block the absorption of cholesterol in the small intestine, thereby helping to lower blood total and LDL cholesterol, and reduce triglycerides levels. An intake of 2 g of phytosterols per day with meals, as part of a diet low in saturated fat and cholesterol, is associated with an 8–10% decrease in LDL cholesterol [13].

Magnesium
Magnesium is an important mineral and electrolyte. It is a factor in the maintenance of good health and is needed to maintain proper muscle function, including the strength of heart muscle contractions [14].

Vitamins B6, B12, and Folate
B vitamins are essential for energy metabolism and a range of other physiological functions, including the metabolism of homocysteine into methionine or cystathionine. Homocysteine is a sulphur amino acid that when blood levels are elevated, has been linked to an increased risk of cardiovascular disease.

Eating a diet high in vitamins B6, B12, and folic acid or folate, or meeting daily recommendations with the help of a B-vitamin supplement can help support normal homocysteine metabolism and heart health.

Resveratrol
Resveratrol first gained attention in the early 1990s when researchers uncovered the antioxidant compound while investigating the so-called “French paradox” whereby people living in France had healthy hearts despite eating diets high in saturated fats.

Resveratrol is a type of polyphenol antioxidant found naturally in a variety of foods that also feature in traditional diets in France, such as red wine, red grape skins, purple grape juice, berries, peanuts, dark chocolate, and tea. This naturally occurring antioxidant is helpful for the maintenance of good health.

Vitamin E
Vitamin E is a fat-soluble antioxidant that helps protect cell membranes against damage caused by free radicals. The function of vitamin E is to help with structural and functional maintenance of skeletal, cardiac, and smooth muscle. It also assists in the formation of red blood cells and helps maintain stores of vitamins A and K, iron, and selenium in the body.