Vitamins that Support Heart Health

Megan Hazel asked:


Heart disease is a leading cause of death in the United States, and is an illness which concerns many men and women over the age of forty. Even if you maintain a healthy diet and exercise regularly, you can still benefit from additional, precautionary measures such as taking supplements.

One of the best supplements for heart health is Vitamin E. Vitamin E has been shown to lower the risk of heart disease by up to 40% over time, so long as it is taken consistently and regularly. Vitamin E should be taken while ingesting fat. Unlike many other vitamins which are water-soluble, vitamin E is a fat-soluble vitamin which means it can only be properly digested and utilized with fat in the body.

Also worth mentioning is that while vitamin E is wonderful for heart health, there is some truth to the old adage “too much of a good thing can be a bad thing”. Vitamin E can cause diarrhea or excessive bleeding if consumed at high levels, and you also need to take care when combining Vitamin E with fish oils.  Natural vitamin E, also known as d-tocopherol, is among the best kinds to take. A good dosage for heart health maintenance is 200 to 400 IUs per day. Most supplements are sold in either 200 or 400 IU capsules.

Another great vitamin is Vitamin C. Unlike “E”, Vitamin C is water soluble.  Unfortunately, humans do not produce their own vitamin C in their bodies and therefore must constantly replenish their levels with outside sources. A lot of people enjoy vitamin C-rich foods, which are easier to eat at plentiful levels than Vitamin-E rich foods.  Sources of Vitamin E tend to be animal sources, while vitamin C can be found in great-tasting foods like oranges, strawberries, and many other fruit and vegetable sources.

However, because you eliminate vitamin C so quickly, it is best to consistently add this supplement to your diet. Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant, and keeps blood vessels working properly.  It also works in tandem with Vitamin E to promote heart health, raising ‘good’ cholesterol levels while lowering ‘bad’ cholesterol levels.  Most people find a dose of 500 mg to 1000 mg a day to be enough, but if you choose to supplement with higher doses you will not risk overdosing.  Of course, your doctor is your best guide but many people do report higher energy levels, less colds and flu, and greater overall health and wellness with higher levels of vitamin C.

Omega 3 fatty acids, found mainly in fish oil, give a powerful heart-health boost as well.  This can be especially good to supplement since people do not always like fish, or do not choose to eat enough of it for levels to be most beneficial.  Fish oils help the immune system to function better, which in turn benefits the cardiovascular system.  Most people find a supplement taken with each meal is easy to remember, and they are pleasantly surprised when they find that their skin conditions have improved, their memory is boosted, and their mental clarity and outlook are better while helping their heart health at the same time.

Vitamin B comes in many different forms, and each plays a crucial role in the health of the heart. For this reason, most consumers buy a B-complex vitamin which is a multi-vitamin and includes all of the important “Bs”. The B vitamins are responsible for hundreds of functions in the body, many of which regard the heart.  For example, niacin, or B3 as it is also known, is one of the best supplements to help with cholesterol levels. It helps raise the good ‘LDL’ in the body and lower the negative ‘HDL’, as well as triglycerides.  B3 is also good for both your liver and your brain, and the B vitamins in general help break up fats in the blood and plaque in the system.

Magnesium and potassium should be included in your heart health supplement plan as well. Magnesium helps the actual functioning of the heart muscle, while potassium regulates the heart beat; obviously quite an important function! Since most Americans do not get the recommended dietary allowance of magnesium through their foods, it is important to get it through supplementation to maintain optimal heart health.

Heart health is a subject which should never be ignored. Talk to your doctor and confirm that these supplements are safe for you. In all likelihood you will be given the green light to help your own heart health with these supplements which can easily be found online or at your local vitamin store.



Caffeinated Content

Are You Taking Fish Oil for Heart Health?

Peter Foremski asked:


Have you ever considered taking fish oil for heart health? Here’s a few reasons why maybe you should. There’s already a lot of sound advice out there about how we should eat sensibly, take daily exercise and watch our weight. Sooner or later these may impact on how healthy your heart is and perhaps we shouldn’t forget the hereditary factors also.

Because cardiovascular diseases are still big killers nationally, there’s been a wealth of medical research that has resulted in some truly effective medicines and treatments. Alongside this there’s also been a resurgence in the many different ways we can take care of ourselves, using natural and complementary methods or techniques.

That includes our nutrition and taking dietary supplements is where the fish oil heart connections come in. Many studies that have examined these essential fatty acids have recommended their use in maintaining a healthy heart. Even the American Heart Association has expressed positive comments on its continual use for normally healthy people, to those at risk of getting an attack. Their recommendation is to ensure you get at least 900mg of fish oils, from either your diet or via capsules.

Additionally there has been a lot more good news, as they also help in benefiting hypertension, reducing heart irregularities, anti-clotting and with  circulatory problems. 

You can get the benefit of my own research into what constitutes an effective   supplement by looking on my main site. This will ensure that when you take fish oil for heart health you are taking the best one’s possible.



heart health