Heart & Diabetes

Top 30 Supplements For Heart Health

Heart disease, heart attack, Arteriosclerosis, High Blood Pressure, Diabetes, high Homocysteine and Cholesterol levels, all are being successfully treated with natural supplements, sometimes even eliminating the need for expensive prescription drugs with debilitating side effects.  If on medication please consult your doctor and note that blood thinning supplements should not be taken together with blood thinning drugs.

What are Cardiovascular Heart Diseases?

Cardiovascular disease includes coronary heart disease (heart attack, angina, and chest pain), stroke, high blood pressure, heart failure, atherosclerosis, rheumatic heart disease, genetic cardiovascular defects, arrhythmias, Kawasaki disease, bacterial endocarditis, cardiomyopathy, diseases of pulmonary circulation, diseases of vein and lymphatic systems, and other diseases of the circulatory system.

There are now available a wide array of natural heart health supplements that tackle everything from the overall risk of heart diseases, blood pressure, Atherosclerosis, Diabetes and blood sugar levels, blood quality, and natural heart health supplements that help to reduce key indicators such as cholesterol and homocysteine levels.

Natural Supplements to Manage the Overall Risk of Cardiovascular Disease   

CoQ10 is used worldwide in the prevention and treatment of cardiovascular disease and works to increase the effectiveness of other treatments for congestive heart failure.

Lycopene supplements reduce the risk of Cardio Vascular Disease by 50%.  A recent study showed that men with the lowest levels of Lycopene had more than a 3 times greater risk of having an acute coronary event or stroke. 

Vitamin B6 and Vitamin B12 help keep nerves and red blood cells healthy. They may also lower blood levels of homocysteine, an amino acid that may be linked to heart disease, blood clots, heart attack, and strokes.  They may prevent the development and progression of atherosclerosis

Lecithin and/or Choline supplements may reduce the risk for heart disease though lowering homocysteine levels.  In a recent study with choline supplementation, subjects with elevated homocysteine levels had a 30% reduction compared to placebo.

Proanthocyanidins from Grape Seed Extract and Hawthorn are thought to be responsible for relaxing blood vessels and improving blood flow to the heart.  Proanthocyanidins are a key ingredient in pharmaceuticals used in Western Europe for vascular and circulation disorders.  Hawthorn is used by practitioners for help in preventing angina attacks, to reduce atherosclerotic plaque, and to treat Raynauds disease and varicose veins.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves the use of Omega 3 fatty acids EPA & DHA and fiber such as Psyllium Husks or Glucomannan to protect against Coronary Heart Disease.  Recent research confirms that a higher intake ofOmega-3s can slow the development of atherosclerotic plaques and Fish Oils can reduce the risk of heart attack, stroke, and atherosclerosis.

Taurine, the most abundant amino acid in the heart, helps regulate the contraction and pumping action of the heart muscle. A recent study conducted on patients with congestive heart failure, found Taurine provided significant improvement in heart function.

A new study done with mice suggests that supplements of Alpha Lipoic Acid (ALA) can inhibit formation of arterial lesions, lower triglycerides, and reduce blood vessel inflammation and weight gain, all key issues for addressing cardiovascular disease.  

Patients with coronary heart disease in particular have significantly lower Chromium, L-Carnitine and Folic Acid than healthy people and therefore supplementation may be beneficial. 

Natural Supplements for Blood Pressure

Sodium contracts the blood vessels while Magnesium, Potassium, and Calcium relax them.  Magnesium can be used to lower blood pressure, and a magnesium-rich diet may even prevent hypertension.  Studies also show that Magnesium also helps to thin the blood, lessen the risk of heart attack, and lower cholesterol and triglyceride levels.  The U.S. Department of Agriculture estimates that 75% of Americans do not get enough magnesium in their diet. Chelated Magnesium complexes are more easily absorbed.  Supplementing Calcium each day can also significantly reduce blood pressure.  Populations with low Calcium intakes have higher rates of high blood pressure. Studies also suggest that Psyllium Husks or Glucomannan may both support healthy blood pressure by helping rid the body of excess sodium.Taurine amino acid is vital to the regulation of Sodium, Potassium, Calcium, and Magnesium in the body and is being used to support healthy blood pressure. 

Newer studies have shown significant reductions in blood pressure can be obtained through several supplements: Hawthorn, Chlorella, Grape Seed Extract, Aged Garlic, Omega 3 Fatty Acids, L-Arginine, and Folic Acid

Collagen and Vitamin C (needed for collagen production) may actually help to reverse the damage and improve blood pressure over the longer term. 

Natural Supplements for Atherosclerosis

Collagen and Vitamin C may both help to stave off heart disease, including Arteriosclerosis. Vitamin B6 and Vitamin B12 may prevent the development and progression of atherosclerosis.  Co Q10 and Vitamin E protects LDL cholesterol from oxidizing and may therefore be effective in treating atherosclerosis.

Hawthorn supplements are used by practitioners around the world for help to reduce atherosclerotic plaque.  Aged Garlic has been shown to reduce platelet aggregation, and slow coronary calcification which combats atherosclerosis.  Also low levels of Lycopene are also associated with increased thickness of plaque in the arterial wall.

Management of Diabetes with Natural Supplements

Working together with insulin, Chromium is helps to control blood sugar levels.  Chromium Picolinate is used to assist patients with hypoglycemia and diabetes.  Studies suggest Psyllium Husks, Glucomannan, Taurine and Niacin may also support healthy blood sugar balance.

CLA lowers insulin resistance, a risk for some hypothyroid patients, which can also help prevent adult-onset diabetes.

Natural Supplements to aid Blood Quality, Clotting, and Thinning

Vitamin K plays a role in the function of several proteins that regulate the blood’s ability to clot.  Vitamin K has been given to counteract clotting mechanism disruptions caused by certain medications by health care professionals.

Vitamin E is a powerful antioxidant that assists in the formation of red blood cells and is a natural blood thinner on a par with Aspirin.

Management of Cholesterol Levels with Natural Supplements

Numerous studies have shown that Niacin (Vitamin B3) supplements can significantly improve HDL cholesterol and lower triglycerides with results that are better than statin drugs.  Niacin from Inositol (flush free) is more effective and avoids the flushing and itching associated with standard Niacin.  Conjugated Linoleic Acid (CLA) also lowers cholesterol and triglycerides. 

With FDA approval, Soy Isoflavones and Plant Phytosterols, are identified to reduce the overall risk of heart disease by lowering harmful LDL cholesterol.  The decreases in cholesterol levels are significantly greater than can be attained with diet or medications alone.  Blond Psyllium, Fiber, Resveratrol, Carnitine and Calcium may also significantly reduce LDL cholesterol. 

Garlic may lower blood cholesterol and triglycerides as well as slightly elevate the good HDL cholesterol. Some studies suggest that supplementation with garlic extract can significantly reduce the oxidation of the bad LDL cholesterol.

Lysine supplements are currently being investigated for lowering cholesterol. Lysine is helpful in lowering triglycerides and as an anti-aging factor. It is also involved in the structural repair of damaged blood vessels.

Co Q10 is depleted in patients with a variety of heart conditions including in people taking cholesterol-lowering drugs. It is used to reduce muscle aches and pains in the hearts of patients who take cholesterol-lowering statin drugs, and it may also reduce chest pain.