Best supplements for the heart

SUPPLEMENTS are used to “fill in any gaps” in a person’s diet. Certain supplements can be used to help keep the heart healthy. What are three of the best?

The modern world brings an overwhelming amount of information aim at helping people to get healthier through supplements. Certain supplements can be used to help ensure the heart is at tip-top-shape. With so many different supplements out there claiming to be the best, what are the three best supplements to take for a healthy heart?

Calcium supplements

We all know that calcium helps builds strong bones and teeth but calcium also keeps muscles, nerves, and blood vessels working well as one of the key minerals involved in blood pressure and heart health control.

Calcium supplements, taken within recommended levels, can be considered safe for the heart.

For adults, the recommended daily intake of calcium is 1,000 milligrams up to age 50. That amount increases to 1,200 mg per day for woman over 50 and men older than 70.

Vitamin C

A study found that taking a vitamin C supplement helped relax the blood vessels that carry blood from the heart and improved vascular responsiveness.

Studies have shown that vitamin C may help lower blood pressure in those both with and without high blood pressure.

Vitamin C may help reduce risk factors such as heart disease, high blood pressure and high levels of ‘bad’ cholesterol.

Taking at least 500 mg of vitamin C daily may reduce the risk of heart disease.

However, if you already consume a vitamin C-rich diet, then supplements may not provide additional heart health benefits.

Omega-3 fatty acids

Omega-3 fatty acids are a type of unsaturated fatty acid that may reduce inflammation throughout the body.

Taking an omega 3-fatty acid supplement may decrease triglycerides, lower blood pressure, reduce blood clotting, decrease stroke and heart failure risk and reduce irregular heartbeats.

Omega-3 refers to three types of fatty acids found in fish and some plants.

Health experts recommend taking at least 250 500 mg of omega-3 supplements a day.

Leading health experts have claimed to stay away from one supplement when it comes to heart health.

Healthy You said on their website: “Humans consuming excess choline, an essential nutrient plentiful in meat, eggs and milk, raises levels of a bacteria-produced compound called trimethylamine N-oxide (TMAO, and the tendency of platelets to clump together and form clots.

"Excessive blood clotting limits or blocks blood flow which can cause heart attack, stroke, damage to the body’s organs, or death.

Numerous studies have shown that higher blood levels of TMAO are associated with a greater risk of heart disease, including heart attacks and strokes in humans.

"Recent studies showed that feeding animals choline-supplemented diets also raised their risk of clotting.”

If you are unsure about the safety of a supplement you should take to your GP, pharmacist, or dietician.

Always tell your GP if you are using a dietary supplement or if you are thinking about combining a dietary supplement with conventional medical treatment.