Make no mistake, heart disease is the leading cause of death in the U.S. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), a “coronary event” occurs every 25 seconds in America. You should already be aware of preventive activities such as diet and exercise. However, can dietary supplements help you fight heart disease?
There are four supplements that appear to have the most promise for heart health. These supplements are:
Fish oil, Coenzyme Q10, Vitamin D, and Turmeric.
The American Heart Association (AHA), recommends that people eat 2 servings of fish (about 12 ozs.) every week. Since most people aren’t reaching that goal, taking fish oil supplements can help take up the slack from food. The active ingredients in fish oil, EPA and DHA, are omega-3 fatty acids which can help lower triglycerides and cholesterol levels. This in turn, helps to reduce your risk of stroke and heart attack.
Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) is an antioxidant, which appears to help fight blood-clot formation and high blood pressure. It’s produced naturally by your body, but levels fall as you get older. In addition to reducing abnormal heart rhythms and hypertension, it reduces side effects for people taking statin drugs.
Vitamin D is primarily known for it’s role in promoting bone health. However, it reduces risk of calcium buildup in your arteries, which could lead to a heart attack.
Do you love Indian food? Well, you’ve enjoyed the spice Turmeric while eating any number of Indian meals. An ingredient derived from this spice, curcumin, may protect your heart by limiting inflammation and preventing blood clots. A negative for Turmeric/Curcumin is the lack of human trials. So far, all the positive results have appeared in lab and animal studies. Many health experts still recommend the spice anyway.
The CDC has a great primer on heart disease prevention, at this link.
The Bottom Line: You need to consider all the options for better heart health. Talking with your doctor about your current health issues, can guide you to a plan for your best interests. Supplements taken for the right reasons, can play an important role in your heart health regimen.
Remember, heart disease is a killer.
It’s your life, live well.
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