Supplements for Heart Health

FAQ - Heart

Heart health and heart disease are major concerns around the world, with one in three men and one in four women developing heart disease during their lifetimes. If you are one of these people, it’s time to learn more about heart health and how to improve your heart health, even if you have already had some heart trouble in the past.

A healthy heart doesn’t just make you feel good about yourself; it helps you live longer and improves your quality of life. But what does it mean to have a healthy heart? Most people understand that in order to improve their heart health, you need to eat well and exercise regularly. However, what if you don’t know how to exercise safely? How can you keep your blood pressure in check? Are there natural supplements that improve heart health? These are some of the questions that you should ask yourself.

• How do I improve heart health?

  The simple answer to how you can improve your heart health is by lowering your blood pressure and improving your cholesterol levels. To accomplish these goals, you’ll need a combination of diet and exercise, as well as heart health supplements.

  Eat lots of fruits and vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins; eat less salt, saturated fats (red meat), trans fats (margarine), hydrogenated oils (cookies, crackers), refined carbs (sugar-sweetened beverages) processed meats (like hot dogs or cold cuts). It’s also recommended that you limit alcohol consumption to two drinks per day.

  There are two supplements in particular that many physicians recommend for heart health is Omega-3 fatty acids and CoQ10. Both of these are very effective in fighting heart disease in its early stages, which means less damage to your body overall.

• What food items are good for a healthy heart?

  A heart-healthy diet focuses on fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. However, that doesn’t mean you should skip out on protein. Studies have shown that consuming a small amount of lean meat daily could reduce your risk of developing cardiovascular disease and stroke by up to 20 percent.

  That being said, you shouldn’t overdo it—the American Heart Association advises us not to consume more than six ounces of lean red meat per week, which is roughly equivalent to a palm-sized portion size. Another heart-healthy food you should be sure to include in your diet is nuts; they contain plant sterols that lower bad LDL cholesterol levels in our blood while increasing good HDL cholesterol levels.

  Furthermore, research suggests that people who regularly eat nuts are less likely to develop heart disease compared with those who don’t eat them at all. Lastly, if you suffer from high blood pressure or hypertension, you may benefit from including foods rich in magnesium in your daily diet as studies show magnesium can help reduce some of its symptoms. These foods include almonds and avocados as well as wheat bran, green leafy vegetables like spinach and kale, soybeans, beet greens, and more!

• What vitamins are essential for a healthy heart?

  Certain vitamins are essential for optimal heart health. Vitamin D, vitamin C, and omega-3 fatty acids all have heart-healthy benefits that range from blood pressure regulation to reduced cholesterol levels. Omega-3 fatty acids are one of two essential fatty acids needed for healthy heart function—omega-6 is another one. Both of these essential fats come from plant sources, although most Americans get enough omega-6 through food without supplementing. Seafood like salmon, tuna, and herring are great sources of omega-3 fatty acids, while grass-fed beef also contains some. A well-rounded supplement regimen—in addition to a heart-healthy diet and regular exercise routine—can help you maintain a strong heart throughout your life.

• What makes a heart weak?

  A weak heart is called a cardiac condition, or more specifically a cardiovascular condition. Cardiovascular conditions can be caused by natural aging, disease, or injury. There are several different ways that a person’s heart may not function as well as it used to when they were younger.

  The most common is high blood pressure, which can result in blocked arteries that cause angina and/or heart attacks, but there are other causes as well. Other cardiovascular conditions include arrhythmias (when your heart beats too quickly), coronary artery disease (which leads to heart attack), and cardiomyopathy (inflamed heart muscle).

  If you think you have any of these heart problems, talk with your doctor right away. Together you can determine if there are changes you need to make in order to strengthen your heart health naturally.