Unfortunately, the majority of people do not get the adequate amount of nutrients needed each day supplied through their diet. Additionally, medications that treat cardiovascular concerns can deplete nutrients. Whether consumers are looking to reduce heart disease risk or to treat an existing condition, certain herbs and supplements can make a great difference. The following are the top ten supplement picks for the heart.
Coenzyme Q10 has been shown in many studies to treat congestive heart failure and heart arrhythmias. It has also proven to lower blood pressure and prevent oxidation of bad cholesterol. This supplement is best for anyone, especially those with higher heart disease risk. Those people without symptoms should take 50 to 100 milligrams a day, while those people who are taking a statin class drug or have cardiac symptoms can safely take 100 to 200 milligrams per day.
Fish oil has been proven to reduce blood triglycerides, as well as prevent platelets from getting too sticky, which allows blood to flow freely through the arteries. Another benefit of fish oil is that it mildly lowers blood pressure. Everyone can use this supplement and should take about 1000 to 2000 milligrams daily. If you have heart problems, the dosage can be upped to 2000 to 4000 milligrams each day.
Studies have shown that extracts of hawthorn berries help to lower blood pressure, improve blood flow, and treat congestive heart failure. This extract is excellent for those with poor circulation or mild to moderate high blood pressure. Taking 100 to 300 milligrams of a standardized hawthorn extract two to three times a day will provide the best results.
Garlic is known for its ability to lower blood pressure. However, garlic has also been found to stop plaque growth and also shrink the buildup. This supplement should be used as a second step to other herbs as high doses can irritate stomachs. A supplement containing 10 to 20 milligrams of allicin (garlic's active ingredient) will be an adequate amount to do the job.
D-ribose is a unique form of sugar that is the building block to the fuel that powers the body's cells. D-ribose helps improve heart function after a heart attack and should be used by those at risk for congestive heart failure. Dosages of 1000 to 3000 milligrams are adequate to help boost energy and heart function.
Niacin is a B vitamin that lowers LDL cholesterol, raises HDL cholesterol, and lowers lipoprotein. It is best for those people with multiple heart problems. To treat high cholesterol, doses of 500, 750, and 1000 milligrams are the best option. Look for a flush free form of niacin for regular niacin can cause a flushing effect which can be uncomfortable to some individuals.
L Carnitine is a naturally occurring amino acid that is found in dairy and red meat. It is great for those recovering from a heart attack and those with fatigue and muscle weakness. Clinical studies have shown that L Carnitine is able to increase your chances of surviving a heart attack and improves recovery after a cardiac event. The standard dosage for this supplement is usually 500 milligrams once or twice daily.
Magnesium is a common mineral that helps relax muscles and regulate blood pressure. Everyone should supplement with 400 to 600 milligrams daily of magnesium, as magnesium deficiency is very common in American diets.
Pomegranate juice is rich in antioxidants that not lower blood pressure, but also prevents LDL cholesterol from oxidizing. Another small study concluded that pomegranate juice improves blood flow to the heart. It is best if individuals with known heart disease take about eight ounces daily of this juice.
Taurine is still in need of a great deal of research to determine all of its beneficial effects. However, it is known that those with reduced blood flow to the heart have low taurine concentrations in their blood. It helps those people with congestive heart failure and arrhythmias. Since dosage depends on each patient individually, be sure to consult your doctor before use.
These and many other supplements are good to help improve quality of life. None of the above mentioned supplements have any side effects. Always consult your physician before adding vitamin supplements when taking prescription drugs to prevent drug interactions.
Related Articles
A 5 Step Killer Db Workout for Amazingly Fast and Effective Results
By: Neelima Reddy | 28/04/2008 | Health
For those of you who can’t or don’t want to go to the gym but want a fast and effective workout, here are five steps that will get you to achieve the best results.
Expert Health Supplements Launches New Site to Promote Exclusive Premium Supplements
By: Dan Adrian | 27/02/2008 | Supplements and Vitamins
Expert Health Supplements, a direct supplier of exclusive premium supplements, today announced the launch of a new site that highlights an outstanding, high impact, designer nutritional supplements formula Named Expert Health XS2.. http://www.expert-supplements.com
The Next Vitamins
By: Mark Ransome | 13/07/2006 | Advice
Vitamins A, C, E and quasi-vitamins Coenzyme Q10 and alpha lipoic acid are powerful antioxidants that neutralize the damage caused by free radicals and oxidation.
What Are the Best Vitamin Supplements you Can Use?
By: Robert Goldsmith | 14/09/2006 | Health
When you say "vitamins and minerals" In this context, the word "mineral" is used to describe naturally occurring nutrients, which are inorganic elements and compounds such as iron, potassium, and calcium.
Nine Steps to Stay Younger and Healthier!
By: Neelima Reddy | 12/03/2008 | Health
It is possible to stay healthy and continue this good health into your coming years by making some simple changes in your daily routine such as following a healthy balanced diet, eat breakfast, eating high fiber food, taking required vitamins and minerals, exercising daily, reduce stress, etc.
Do Many Of Today's Vitamin Supplements Owe Their Existence To Early Native Americans?
By: Gregg Hall | 08/10/2006 | Non-Fiction
Many of the supplements have been used for years by our ancestors and are now becoming more popular among the population today. Maybe our ancestors knew a lot more than we give them credit for.
Lowering Your LDL Cholesterol With Niacin
By: James Penn | 16/02/2007 | Non-Fiction
Have you got your lipid profile checked yet? If not, you need to do so as soon as possible. You may wonder why, and what this is all about. It is about lowering the cholesterol level in your blood so as to reduce the risk of getting a coronary heart disease, which may prove fatal
Multivitamin - The Average American Might Just Know More Than The So-called Experts
By: Eddie Yakubovich | 03/01/2008 | Nutrition
Are multivitamin supplements a part of your daily routine? Healthcare experts have been telling us for decades that if we eat a balanced diet we do not need vitamin supplements.
Got a Question? Ask.
Ask the community a question about this article:
Frequently Asked Questions
B1 ?
By: Diane l brown | 03-07-2008
how does vitamin b1 help the body?
Vitamin
By: virgina | 23-06-2008
How does Q-10 Coenzyme help one's health?
Arthritis treatment for dogs
By: Shar | 16-06-2008
What are the best supplements to treat arthritis pain in my 12-1/2 year old Lab?
Sytropin - do you think it works?
By: Kavin Taker | 31-05-2008
Do you think sytropin (which is a HGH product) really works?
Is there any other source for D-Ribose except corn ...
By: Sher | 17-05-2008
Is there any other source for D-Ribose except corn? I have a corn allergy and it seems to be causing some problems. It was helping my energy level but hurting other things.Sher
Vitamin supplements
By: ABenka | 08-05-2008
I'm looking to buy some antioxident supplements. Where would I find the supplement Soy Isoflavones ? I do not want to purchase this through the internet. Also could it be under a different name in the store?
Q&A Powered by:
Latest Supplements and Vitamins Articles
Colon Cleansers And Their Potential Side Effects
By: James Briggs | 19/07/2008
This article is about colon cleansers and their potential side effects.
Healthy Aloe Vera Benefits
By: Davin Ogden | 17/07/2008
Aloe vera benefits have been found among hundreds of civilizations over the history of our planet. For many years it's been heavily used by the native cultures of our planet among many others.
8 Proven Ways to Get Fit and Feel Energetic
By: William Winch | 17/07/2008
This article explains in detail nine proven ways to get fit and feel energetic without spending all day wrokign out at the gym. The author is a Personal Wellness Coach who specializes in helping people lose weight, get fit and improve their health for good.
Psyllium Husk Supplement
By: New Vitality Editorial Team | 17/07/2008
This article discusses what is psyllium husk and how does it help with the digestion and cleansing. It also talks about the various Psyllium Husk Supplements and how does it help for a better health.
Colon Cleansing
By: New Vitality Editorial Team | 17/07/2008
This article focuses on the importance of colon cleansing for a better health. If waste is permitted to sit too long in the colon, toxins and parasites will build up and may eventually be reabsorbed back into the body.It discusses the symptoms of parasitic infestation and the benefits of waste removal and how do colon cleansers help in that.
South Beach Diet
By: peterhutch | 17/07/2008
The South Beach diet is a diet plan started by Miami, Florida, area cardiologist Arthur Agatston, a graduate of New York University, which emphasizes the consumption of "good carbohydrates" and "good fats"
Iron Supplements: a Review
By: Dave Tupniak | 16/07/2008
Iron supplements are often given to individuals who for some reason or another are low in Iron concentrations in their blood. This article aims to provide some clarification about what iron is, when iron deficiency can occur, who may need to take iron supplements to prevent a deficiency, and the risk of iron toxicity.
4 Steps to Losing Weight Safely
By: William Winch | 16/07/2008
This article explains four proven ways to lose weight safely and keep it off for good. Also discussed is the importance of following this process and the consequences of trying to cut corners. The author is a Personal Wellness Coach who specializes in helping people lose weight and improve their health.
More from Darrell Miller
How Important is it to Have Proper Digestion?
By: Darrell Miller | 18/07/2008 | Health
The part played by food in the health of your body is to furnish it with the nutrients needed for the biochemistry that keeps you alive. The digestive process breaks the food that you eat down into a form that can be absorbed by your bloodstream, and from there to...
Does Garcinia Cambogia Really Help Me Lose Weight?
By: Darrell Miller | 17/07/2008 | Health
Garcinia cambogia is a small tree bearing a small pumpkin-like fruit of the citrus family, and is steadily appearing in an increasing number of weight loss supplements. It is indigenous to parts of Africa and Asia, and the rind is commonly used in Indian cookery.
Although the fruit is particularly...
Does Pyruvate Help in Weight Loss?
By: Darrell Miller | 16/07/2008 | Health
There is currently a debate as to whether or not pyruvate can help in weight loss. There are two distinct camps, although the body of evidence favors those that believe that they can lose weight by taking a pyruvate supplement.
However, pyruvate is not an essential substance, which means that it...
How Do I Find An Inexpensive Domain Authority Registrar?
By: Darrell Miller | 15/07/2008 | Domain Names
Learn what to look for when searching for a good domain name registrar and how to pick a good domain name for your company.
Do Your Body a Favor and Detoxify With Dandelion
By: Darrell Miller | 14/07/2008 | Health
Just about everybody knows what a dandelion is. In the western world it is a weed, but in many other societies it is an important herb that is used to treat many common diseases and conditions of the human body.
It is also a food, being used in salads and...
Tryptophan and Mood Enhancement
By: Darrell Miller | 12/07/2008 | Health
Serotonin has not only been shown to regulate sleep, but it also is responsible for controlling mood, including feelings of optimism, relaxation, general sense of well-being, and the ability to focus and concentrate. When serotonin levels drop, it can lead to a lowered mood, which is what people experience with...
The Cholesterol Balancing Act
By: Darrell Miller | 11/07/2008 | Health
Cholesterol is an unsaturated waxy solid that is manufactured in the body and has important functions relative to cell membrane management. It is also known to help produce bile to digest fats and can help in metabolizing fat-soluble vitamins. Cholesterol is both made in tissue membranes and derived...
Flavor-filled Fennel is Good For Salads and More
By: Darrell Miller | 10/07/2008 | Health
If there has ever been an overlooked vegetable, it would definitely be fennel. Some people have an aversion to its licorice-like scent, while others feel as if fennel is a bizarre and obscure vegetable that they have no interest in learning how to prepare. However, those who have discovered it...
Health 
