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.
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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.
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Maintaining Heart Health With Cholesterol Drugs
Michelle Bery asked:
Today’s health-conscious culture is one that is pointedly focused on keeping certain bodily systems in line; we know that by paying close attention to such important levels as blood pressure, sugars, and cholesterol, we can put certain protective measures in place to keep our hearts and our bodies healthy. One of the ways in which we can accomplish this is with the help of cholesterol drugs.
Cholesterol is a natural substance produced by our liver and found in our body’s cells and bloodstream. Its purpose – in moderate levels – is to help build cell membranes, produce hormones, and metabolize fats. The health risks associated with cholesterol stem from its overproduction. For cholesterol to be filtered through the liver and delivered to the appropriate cells it relies on carriers called lipoproteins. High-density lipoproteins – or HDLs – are considered to be our “good” cholesterol – that which filters cholesterol away from our arteries and back to our liver. LDLs – low-density lipoproteins – are considered to be our “bad” cholesterol. When our levels of LDLs are elevated, the cholesterol forms a type of plaque that builds up on artery walls – constricting arteries and setting us up for possible heart disease and stroke.
The ways in which we manage cholesterol levels – keeping HDLs high and LDLs low – is through a healthy diet that limits foods high in cholesterol and saturated fats. Red meat, for instance, is high in both, and when eaten on a regular basis can significantly impact the cholesterol levels in our body. While foods high in monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats – such as fish and olive oils – raise HDLs and help our bodies eliminate bad cholesterol while strengthening our hearts.
But when diet isn’t enough to keep cholesterol levels in check, we often turn to cholesterol drugs to assist in the battle. Genetics can not be overlooked when it comes to cholesterol and sometimes it requires an extra measure or two to keep us at our healthiest.
It is estimated that over ten million people today take cholesterol drugs to help keep their levels in check. The type of cholesterol drugs ordinarily given to patients are known as statins – drugs that work to lower bad cholesterol. Among the most popularly used drugs today are Lipitor, Pravachol, Lescol, and Crestor.
Research has shown that these cholesterol drugs administered appropriately – and in conjunction with proper diet and exercise – can lower cholesterol almost as much as sixty percent. This means, that for people whose genetic make-up requires more than diet to maintain healthy cholesterol levels, cholesterol drugs can make all the difference in achieving and maintaining heart health well into the future.
Caffeinated Content
Today’s health-conscious culture is one that is pointedly focused on keeping certain bodily systems in line; we know that by paying close attention to such important levels as blood pressure, sugars, and cholesterol, we can put certain protective measures in place to keep our hearts and our bodies healthy. One of the ways in which we can accomplish this is with the help of cholesterol drugs.
Cholesterol is a natural substance produced by our liver and found in our body’s cells and bloodstream. Its purpose – in moderate levels – is to help build cell membranes, produce hormones, and metabolize fats. The health risks associated with cholesterol stem from its overproduction. For cholesterol to be filtered through the liver and delivered to the appropriate cells it relies on carriers called lipoproteins. High-density lipoproteins – or HDLs – are considered to be our “good” cholesterol – that which filters cholesterol away from our arteries and back to our liver. LDLs – low-density lipoproteins – are considered to be our “bad” cholesterol. When our levels of LDLs are elevated, the cholesterol forms a type of plaque that builds up on artery walls – constricting arteries and setting us up for possible heart disease and stroke.
The ways in which we manage cholesterol levels – keeping HDLs high and LDLs low – is through a healthy diet that limits foods high in cholesterol and saturated fats. Red meat, for instance, is high in both, and when eaten on a regular basis can significantly impact the cholesterol levels in our body. While foods high in monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats – such as fish and olive oils – raise HDLs and help our bodies eliminate bad cholesterol while strengthening our hearts.
But when diet isn’t enough to keep cholesterol levels in check, we often turn to cholesterol drugs to assist in the battle. Genetics can not be overlooked when it comes to cholesterol and sometimes it requires an extra measure or two to keep us at our healthiest.
It is estimated that over ten million people today take cholesterol drugs to help keep their levels in check. The type of cholesterol drugs ordinarily given to patients are known as statins – drugs that work to lower bad cholesterol. Among the most popularly used drugs today are Lipitor, Pravachol, Lescol, and Crestor.
Research has shown that these cholesterol drugs administered appropriately – and in conjunction with proper diet and exercise – can lower cholesterol almost as much as sixty percent. This means, that for people whose genetic make-up requires more than diet to maintain healthy cholesterol levels, cholesterol drugs can make all the difference in achieving and maintaining heart health well into the future.
Caffeinated Content