[box]Cardiovascular diseases are the number one cause of death globally. In 2012, roughly 17.5 million people died from cardiovascular diseases, representing about 31% of deaths globally. [1][/box]
Inflammation and oxidative damage are leading causes of cardiovascular diseases and virtually every disease we know of. Limiting our exposure to these toxins is helpful, but it is impossible to avoid them completely, this is why it becomes so crucial to inoculate ourselves against this constant bombardment.
Supporting antioxidant activity is the best way to deal with this toxic siege, but certain supplements really lend themselves to improving cardiovascular health.
Leading Heart Health Supplements
B Vitamins
B12 (methylcobalamin), B6 and the active form of Folate (5-methyltetrahydrofolate or 5-MTHF) are essential for cardiovascular health. They play a vital role in our methylation cycle, which is required to break-down homocysteine and recycle key antioxidants throughout the body.
Homocysteine is a biosynthesized amino acid that can greatly increase our risk of stroke and heart attack. It is harmful to every cell in our body, but its impact on our inner arterial lining is the reason it is our hearts number one enemy.
CoQ10 (Ubiquinol)
This supplement is important for everyone, and absolutely critical for those who take Statins medication. Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) helps our mitochondria burn fuel and produce energy more effectively and with the least amount of toxic byproducts. Our mitochondria are our cells power plants, when we experience mitochondrial dysfunction it can lead to a vast number of health problems including: cardiovascular disease, cancer, autism, type 2 diabetes and Alzheimer’s disease. [2]
It is even more important for those taking Statins to supplement their CoQ10 levels because Statins depletes them. An ironic side effect of a drug intended to improve cardiovascular health.
Ubiquinol CoQ10 is the desired form to supplement, studies have shown it is absorbed 8x better than the more common ubiquinone form.
Magnesium
This mineral, much like the B vitamins mentioned above, is directly involved in our body’s methylation cycle. Magnesium helps break down homocysteine while improving antioxidant activity in the body. It is necessary for normal muscle function, therefore when levels are too low it can result in: congestive heart failure, chest pain, high blood pressure and potentially heart attack. [3]
Probiotics
Generally when we think of probiotics, we think of gut health, but when we think of gut health, we generally don’t think of total body health. Our gut health impacts every system in the body, including our cardiovascular system.
Certain probiotic supplements can help minimize the risk factors associated with cardiovascular disease. Improving gut health helps our body maximize the nutritional benefit of the food we eat, extracting every last bit of nutrients through improved digestion.
Fish Oil
A heart healthy supplement that is often associated with brain health. Fish oil supplements are one of the best ways to get omega-3 fatty acids, highly beneficial for their anti-inflammatory properties and ability to improve cellular health. Having a healthy balance between omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids has been shown to help protect against cancer and cardiovascular disease.
Some fish oil supplements can actually do more harm than good. Rancid oil caused by improper processing techniques or poor quality ingredients can actually increase the toxic load on the body. Ensure you are getting a top quality fish oil supplement by looking for a 5-star IFOS (International Fish Oil Standards) rating on the label.
The Liver Health Supplement Guide
How To: Naturally Detoxify Your Body
