Health

Top 7 Vitamins for Heart Disease

There is no doubt that eating the right foods is good for your heart; however, supplementation is also very important; adopting a healthy diet is not an easy thing to do for some people, it could take a while. Therefore, if you have heart disease, or you’re high risk, here are some vitamins that you may want to talk with your doctor about.

1) The amino acid L-carnitine is known to be directly involved with energy metabolism at the cellular level. It works by increasing heart muscle efficiency, reducing cholesterol metabolism, and inhibits the formation of plaque.

Dosage information: 500 to 5,000 milligrams per day.

2) The vitamin-like antioxidant known as coenzyme Q10 aids the cells with energy production as well as improves overall cholesterol levels. This antioxidant is also responsible for decreasing the occurrence of angina and it improves exercise tolerance.

Dosage information: 100 to 150 milligrams per day

3) The B vitamin niacin lowers cholesterol; however, dosages of niacin are usually limited because it tends to cause uncomfortable flushing. You can avoid flushing by taking long-acting forms of this vitamin, but it can cause liver damage. The best alternative is something called inositol hexaniacinate, which is a niacin precursor. This form does not cause flushing even when taken in high doses, and most importantly, it does not pose any danger to the liver. According to studies, this form of niacin can be just as effective as other forms with absolutely no side effects conveyed.

Dosage information: 50 to 100 milligrams three times per day.

4) Vitamin E can be very helpful for people with heart disease because it helps to lower cholesterol. However, there are many types of vitamin E. The one that’s most helpful is tocotrienol. It works by preventing the production of cholesterol, which makes it a great choice for those whose bodies produce higher amounts of LDL cholesterol (bad), even with dietary changes.

Dosage information: 25 to 50 milligrams per day

5) Vitamin B6 deficiency is known to be a major cause of heart disease. You can get this all-important vitamin via a good quality multivitamin or a B-complex blend.

Dosage information: 25 to 50 milligrams of B6 per day

6) Magnesium deficiency has been linked to a host of problems such as heart attacks, irregular heart rhythms, heart disease, and sudden cardiac death. In addition, studies have shown that this mineral has the ability to help decrease plaque formation, lower total cholesterol, raise the levels of good cholesterol, and prevent platelet aggregation.

Dosage information: 500 to 1,000 milligrams per day. Caution: If diarrhea occurs, reduce the dose.

7) Bromelain is an enzyme found in pineapple and it has anti-inflammatory effects as well as the ability to inhibit the accumulation of platelets. Studies have shown that this supplement has the ability to breakdown plaques and ease angina.

Dosage information: 250 to 500 milligrams three times per day on an empty stomach. Caution: Occasionally, Bromelain causes upset stomach.

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