Supplements

Supplements for heart and circulation can help as part of a healthy lifestyle and good nutrition, but are not a substitute for them.

Omega-3 fatty acids can be obtained from the diet by eating oily fish twice a week or by using fish oil or cod liver oil supplements containing EPA and DHA which reduced the risk of heart disease. These have an antiinflammatory action on the inflamed blood vessel walls in atherosclerosis, and also have a blood thinning action which reduces blood clot formation.

Garlic thins the blood and lowers "bad" LDL cholesterol levels, and some report show an increase in "good" LDL levels. It is important to use a good quality garlic supplement which has had the minimum amount of processing because the delicate compounds it contains are easily destroyed or lost in processing. Unfortunately some garlic supplements have the goodness processed out of them so that they can be promoted as odourless.

Coenzyme Q10 is concerned with energy release in every cell in the body, and is used in some countries to treat heart failure, as it increases the energy available to heart muscles so that they can pump more efficiently. You should check with your own doctor before taking this for heart failure.

Antioxidants prevent tissue damage due to free radical attack, and prevents the oxidation of cholesterol into its damaging oxidised form. This delays the aging effect of the heart and blood vessels and prevents the development of atherosclerosis or furring up of the blood vessels. Eat enough fruit and vegetables to provide these in your diet. Antioxidant supplements of vitamin A, vitamin C and vitamin E can also be taken, and they are best taken together as they work in harmony with each other.

Vitamin C taken as a supplement of 1-3 grams a day is necessary to prevent hardening of the arteries with age, as levels much below this are insufficient to maintain the production of collagen in the artery walls which keeps them supple and elastic. This hardening of the arteries increases blood pressure, which is a risk factor for heart and circulation disease.

Vitamin E taken as a supplement of 400iu a day thins the blood and this reduces the risk of blood clots forming to cause heart attacks.

Homocysteine is a marker of heart disease risk, and can be reduced by taking vitamin B2, vitamin B6, vitamin B12, folic acid, zinc and tri-methyl glycine. These are found together in the supplement H Factors.

Magnesium is useful in lowering blood pressure, but as it is balanced by calcium their relative intakes should be controlled, and it is best taken as part of a balanced or multivitamin supplement. A pronounced magnesium deficiency can cause a spasm in the heart's artery quite separately from any other risk factor, and this can lead to a heart attack.

Potassium is useful in lowering blood pressure, but as it is balanced by sodium their relative intakes should be controlled. Potassium is dangerous to use as a supplement on its own, and your should instead concentrate on eating more fruit and vegetables, which are a natural source of potassium in the diet.