Ingredients for the Faint of Heart ( Part 2 )

Bradley West, Nordic Naturals research advisor said Nordic Natural combines fish oil with red yeast rice in its Omega LDL. “Numerous scientific studies have shown that red yeast rice, a natural red-pigmented yeast grown on rice, helps support healthy cholesterol levels that are already within the normal range,” West said. Red yeast rice is a fermented product of rice on which red yeast (Monascus purpureus) is grown. A Mayo Clinic study found lifestyle changes combined with ingestion of red yeast rice and fish oil reduced LDL in proportions similar to standard therapy with the statin therapy drug Simvastatin.18

A heart-healthy ingredient also grown, but this one from the soil, is hawthorn berries. “Hawthorn has been used for decades as a cardiovascular tonic, as it has been shown to improve the efficiency of the pumping action of the heart by increasing blood flow in the coronary arteries,” said Eileen Sheets, managing director, Bioforce USA. “And, improvement in the heart’s ability to pump blood more effectively has a positive impact on blood pressure.”

Keri Marshall, M.D., medical director at Gaia Herbs, added, “Hawthorn is profoundly important for increasing blood flow and the integrity of the vessels. Hawthorn berries are known to help connective tissue integrity, and blood vessels are all connective tissues, as well as help increase the integrity of blood flow within the body.”

A New York Heart Association study concluded patients who ingested standardized hawthorn berry extract, “may expect an improvement in their heart failure condition under long-term therapy.”19 And, a review of 14 randomized, double blind, placebo-controlled studies suggested hawthorn extract has significant benefits in the treatment for chronic heart failure.20

Folic acid, aka vitamin B9, is becoming more known as an ingredient that reduces the risk of heart disease. In the IFIC survey, 70 percent of responders said they were aware of folic acid’s heart-health abilities, compared to 55 percent in 2007. A recent study showed supplementation of folic acid may improve cardiovascular health and reduce the prevalence of peripheral arterial disease (PAD).21 And in an earlier study, the same group of researchers found 5 mg/d of folic acid over a three-week period reduced pulse pressure compared with a placebo.22

Niacin, also part of the B vitamins, has also been shown to improve heart health via raising HDL cholesterol.23 When used in combination with cholesterol-lowering drugs, it enhanced the cholesterol-managing effect.24 According to Lonza’s Web site, its niacin ingredient lowers LDL cholesterol, elevates high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol and reduces the level of triglycerides in the blood.

Sometimes, a lack of an ingredient can pose problems. In a George Washington University study, magnesium deficiency caused inflammatory, oxidative and nitrosative events, which promoted cardiomyopathy, cardiac dysfunction and myocardial intolerance to secondary stresses.24 In addition, the level of magnesium in the body has a direct effect upon the relaxation capability of vascular smooth muscle cells, blood pressure and hypertension.25 However, adding magnesium to the diet can improve blood pressure. A study examined the effect of magnesium, potassium and dietary fiber on incidence of high blood pressure in more than 30,000 men.26 After four years, researchers noted dietary fiber, potassium and magnesium were each significantly associated with lower risk of hypertension.

Some consumers want more than one or two ingredients in their heart-health supplements. Proprietary Nutritionals Inc. offers Sytrinol, with polymethoxylated flavones (PMFs), a group of compounds derived from the peels of citrus fruits including the bioflavonoids tangeretin and nobiletin; and palm tocotrienols, members of the vitamin E family extracted from the fruit of the palm tree.

Vitalah’s Oxylent contains magnesium, selenium, arginine, CoQ10, SOD, catalase , vitamin D and B vitamins; and Get Well Natural’s heart health supplement Cardio Well Classic includes the herbs Morinda citrifolia (noni fruit), prunella, salvia, notoginseng, eucomia and lycium fruit.

to be continued............

P.S. Pamper your heart with Vitamin C and Vitamin D rich foods and fruits.



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