It’s time for a heart-to-heart about heart health! Our heart is essential to our survival and well-being, but how much do we really know about our magnificent ticker? Do we treat it right? Your heart works hard 24/7 by beating about 115,000 times and pumping about 2,000 gallons of blood each day. Your diet, lifestyle, and your emotional well-being can affect your heart. It’s time to return the favour for all that hard work! Wondering how you can do your part and take care of your heart? By providing your vital organ with healthy and natural supplements for heart health, you can even score!
What are heart health supplements?
We all know that keeping your heart strong, healthy and in good shape means incorporating healthy habits into your lifestyle, such as a healthy diet, regular exercise, and stress management. So, adding a heart health supplement into the mix is just another useful means of protection. Various supplements can help your bones, muscles, and other parts of your body by providing it with nutrients it lacks or needs. But, what about your heart? Research shows that some of them may help lower cholesterol, improve blood pressure, and do other things that put you at risk for heart disease. But, be careful – not all supplements for heart health are safe, natural, or even good for your heart. That’s why we’re here!
5 best supplements for heart health
Your heart never takes a break. It’s working hard and restless even while you sleep and even pulls double shifts during stressful moments. So, why not give it a helping hand? Here are five 100% natural and safe supplements for heart health that can be a great addition to your heart-healthy lifestyle.
Omega-3 fatty acids
Foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids such as fish, like sardines and salmon, play an important role in regulating the cardiovascular system and lowering triglycerides, blood pressure, along with reducing the risk of heart disease and stroke. Flaxseed and fish oil, chia seeds, and walnuts are also high in omega-3’s. You can use a blood test to check your omega-3 levels and if you’re deficient, your doctor may suggest taking an omega 3 supplement for heart health.
Grape seed extract
For those diagnosed with high blood pressure, research has shown that high doses of grape seed extract, which is full of antioxidants, may significantly and effectively lower blood pressure. Luckily, it is found in abundance in ImmunoCare capsules.
Coenzyme Q10
Your body naturally makes small amounts of this enzyme (also known as CoQ10), but as a supplement for heart health, CoQ10 may help lower blood pressure, either on its own or along with medications. The natural production of CoQ10 slows down as we age, so it’s a good idea to add foods or supplements high in CoQ10 to your diet.
Sterols and Stanols
People at risk of heart disease, especially those with high cholesterol levels, benefit from including sources of plant sterols and stanols in their diet. These nutrients can be found in foods like nuts and grains, but since it’s hard to get enough of them from the food we eat, you can take supplements for heart health rich in plant sterols, like ImmunoCare, to get the daily requirement of 2 grams.
Garlic
Studies show that garlic may scare off heart disease- not just vampires. Garlic can regulate both cholesterol and blood pressure levels, which is why it is an important supplement for heart health. If you are someone who doesn’t love its strong flavor, you can increase your intake with odorless garlic pills. However, be careful – too many garlic supplements can increase the levels and effects of some heart medications.
What supplements are bad for your heart?
Moderation is a virtue! Consuming too much of certain vitamins or supplements for heart health can actually be harmful to your cardiovascular health. For example, too much calcium and vitamin D are associated with an increased risk of heart disease. So, be moderate. Also, avoid bitter orange, ginkgo, and licorice- they also have the potential to raise blood pressure and may interfere with medication.
Safe heart supplements
Never take a supplement for heart health just because it’s labeled “heart-healthy.” Not all of them are guaranteed to help you. Always make sure you really need it and ask for your doctor’s advice, before reaching for over-the-counter heart health supplements.
How can I improve my heart health fast?
Caring for your cardiovascular system, including your heart health, is crucial to living a long, full life. But, it is also a never-ending journey – not a race. No vitamin or supplement for heart health can prevent heart disease if you don’t control other heart health risk factors, regularly. Keeping your heart healthy is something you can and should work on every day. Controlling what you eat, how much you move, whether you smoke, drink, and controlling your cholesterol and blood pressure levels are some of the things that can have a big impact on your heart and its long-term health.
What kind of vitamins is good for the heart?
When talking about supplements for heart health, vitamins also play an important role in keeping your mind and heart strong and healthy. Both your heart and overall health can benefit from vitamin D – it can help regulate energy and blood pressure level and improve your heart health, but in order for it to work, it needs magnesium’s help. And, it turns out that this powerful mineral has a friend – Vitamin B6, which helps your body absorb magnesium.
What is the best herb for heart health?
Some people turn to all-natural remedies to help keep their hearts healthy. If you want to give your heart a natural boost, try seasoning your food with delicious herbs that are a great supplement for heart health, such as cinnamon, cayenne, ginger, and coriander.
Bonus tip: Use herbs and spices instead of salt. The sodium in salt can increase your risk of developing high blood pressure, a major risk factor for heart disease.
Be heart smart and always listen to your “ticker”. It may be on your left, but it’s always right. Even if it feels strong and healthy, make sure you help it out by leading a healthy lifestyle and using natural and safe supplements for heart health. We’re sure you have a big heart. Take care of it, just like it’s always been taking care of you!
Jack was born and educated in Ireland and U.K. He has a varied education, mostly in engineering projects. Since then he has worked with a number of major companies with interests in various parts of the world. His personal interests include athletics, cross country skiing and especially long distance running. Jack has competed in many running events and some at an international level, including many marathons. He has always had a keen interest in maintaining a healthy lifestyle. More recently he has specialized in the areas of health and supplements, with a special focus on the immune system.