Heart disease is a term used to describe conditions that affect the heart or circulation. These include conditions that cause narrowing or hardening of the blood vessels, abnormal heartbeats, and weakening or hardening of the heart’s muscles. According to the World Health Organization, heart disease is the leading cause of death worldwide, highlighting the importance of looking after your heart’s health.
Major factors that can increase your risk for heart disease include being overweight, high cholesterol, and high blood pressure. A healthy, well balanced diet and regular exercise can help keep heart disease at bay, but there are also a number of supplements you can take to reduce your risk of heart disease. Below we outline some of the best supplements for heart health.
Fibre
Fibre is a type of carbohydrate found in plants that cannot be digested or absorbed into the bloodstream. Instead, it is broken down by friendly bacteria in the large intestine, which produce by-products that benefit the heart and help lower cholesterol. Fibre is found in fruit, wholegrains, vegetables, pulses, nuts and seeds.
Studies have found high fibre intake is linked to lower body weight, blood pressure and cholesterol. Because fibre forms a gel-like substance in the gut, it slows emptying of the stomach which makes you feel full for longer, helping prevent overeating. This gel also helps reduce the amount of cholesterol absorbed into the bloodstream.
Our psyllium husk fibre supplements provide a rich source of dietary fibre to help support good heart health. Enriched with the probiotic Lactobacillus Acidophilus, they also help balance the good bacteria in your gut to further boost heart health.
Omega-3 fatty acids
Omega-3 fatty acids form the structure of every cell wall, provide energy, and play a vital role in the function of the heart and blood vessels. Omega-3’s are primarily found in fish and algae but are also found in most nuts and seeds. Research suggests omega 3 fatty acids can significantly reduce the risk of heart disease, heart attacks and strokes.
Triglycerides are a type of fat found in your blood that can build up in the arteries and cause artery walls to harden or thicken, which may lead to heart attack and stroke. Omega-3s have been found to reduce triglycerides by up to 30% and lower blood pressure. They may also increase levels of HDL “good” cholesterol, which helps remove other forms of harmful cholesterol. By preventing blood platelets from sticking together, omega 3s also help prevent blood clots.
Inflammation is another contributing factor to heart disease and strokes, as it can cause damage to blood vessel walls. Omega-3s help reduce inflammation by limiting the production of inflammatory substances.
Our omega-3 capsules contain high doses of fish oil and help keep your heart healthy.
Magnesium
Magnesium is involved in over 300 biochemical reactions in the body and is found in nuts, wholegrains, vegetables, legumes, and leafy greens. It helps maintain healthy heart muscles and regulates blood pressure. Low magnesium is linked to heart disease, as it increases risk factors such as blood pressure, arterial plaque build up, calcification of heart muscles, cholesterol, and artery hardening. Magnesium plays a crucial role in regulating the heart beat, as heart muscles rely on magnesium in order to contract and relax.
Magnesium is one of the best vitamins for heart health. Our magnesium supplements with zinc deliver your daily intake and help ensure your heart functions as it should.
Folic acid
Folic acid helps ensure levels of homocysteine, an amino acid that can increase the risk of heart disease, remains low. Research suggests that folic acid supplements can help reduce levels of homocysteine and lower the risk of heart disease by 16%, blood clots by 25% and stroke by 24%.
Our vegan folic acid gummies provide you with your daily intake and are easy and delicious to take.
Other supplements that may help heart health are red rice yeast and coenzyme Q-10. Red rice yeast contains a substance called monacolin K, which has the same chemical structure as statins, a common cholesterol-reducing drug. According to research, daily consumption of monacolin K may reduce cholesterol by up to 25%.
Coenzyme Q10 provides a number of benefits for the heart, including helping improve symptoms of congestive heart failure, reducing risk for repeat heart attacks in heart disease patients, lowering blood pressure and helping combat side effects of cholesterol-lowering statins.