Articles on How to Maintain a Healthy Heart
Please find below a series of articles on how to improve cardiac function, lower homocysteine levels, maintain arterial health and regulate your heart's rhythm. We've also included articles on natural anti-coagulants (blood-thinners) and oral chelation.
Cardiac Function
Hawthorn: A Heart Filled, Simple Remedy
One of the best herbs for the heart is hawthorn because it has both curative and preventative aspects.
News Item: Hawthorn Strengthens Heart Health
Researchers have found that hawthorn (Crataegus) extract may reduce the risk of sudden cardiac death in patients who have moderately compromised left ventricular function.
CoQ10-H2: An Important Constituent of an Over-40 Supplement Regimen
If you are older or a baby-boomer and/or are experiencing a chronic disease, then you may want to consider ubiquinol -- a more bioavailable form of CoQ10).
CoQ10-H2 - A New, More Effective Form of Energy Catalyst for the Heart, Brain and Mitochondria
CoQ10-H2, known as ubiquinol,offers all the benefits of CoQ10 but as a more bio-available rate. With CoenzymeQ10-H2 you can get the therapeutic benefits of higher dose CoQ10 at a much lower dosage.
Coenzyme Q10 May Play a Role in Heart Health and Mitochondrial Function
A new study indicates that Coenzyme Q10 may protect the heart and preserve mitochondrial function after cardiac surgery.
CoQ10 Plays Many Roles As Anti-Aging Nutrient
Research shows that CoQ10 may be useful in treating congestive heart failure, hypertension, angina, peridontal disease and renal failure.
Forskolin and cAMP — Wide-Ranging Benefits From Ayurvedic Herb
Forskolin is an extract from the plant, Coleus forskohli. Coleus has been traditionally used in Ayurvedic medicine for a variety of conditions, including hypertension, asthma, eczema, psoriasis, congestive heart failure, and angina. It has recently been used as a weight loss agent.
News Item: Arginine Important for Heart Health
The amino acid arginine may help the heart recover after ischemia, a new study has found, and, surprisingly, this ability is independent of arginine’s effects on nitric oxide.
Magnesium: The Key to Health and Life
Magnesium plays critical roles in nerve function and in the contraction and relaxation of muscles, including the smooth muscle cells that constrict or relax arteries. In a very real sense, magnesium is the “mineral of life
Magnesium: The Underappreciated Mineral of Life Part I
Magnesium is the activator mineral for over 300 different enzymes--more than any other mineral
Magnesium: The Underappreciated Mineral of Life Part II
Some of the common symptoms of magnesium deficiency include: Chronic fatigue, High blood pressure, Headaches, Irritability, Depression, Muscle spasms, Insomnia, Chronic constipation and Irregular or rapid heart beat
Heart Disease – Nutritional Treatment: CCME
The combination of L-carnitine, coenzyme Q10, magnesium, and vitamin E (CCME) is an extremely effective treatment for cardiac insufficiency, as these nutrients cover most of the known mechanisms of cardiac dysfunction.
HEART SMART SUPPLEMENTS: Nature's Cardio Caretakers
Recent studies show that natural remedies for cardio health outshine pharmaceuticals without harmful side effects.
D-Ribose: Building Block for a Healthy Heart
Recently, in a prospective, double blind, randomized, crossover design study, scientists assessed oral D-ribose supplementation on cardiac function and quality of life in 15 patients with chronic coronary artery disease and congestive heart failure. The administration of D-ribose enhanced left ventricular function and other markers of heart function. D-ribose also resulted in a significant improvement of the patients’ quality of life.
Take It To Heart: Supplements For Cardiovascular Support
Not so long ago, vitamin E was the prize winner in the cardiovascular care arena. Not so any more: a tremendous array of natural and novel ingredients — from gugulipid to gamma oryzanol — have been researched for their abilities to help prevent and possibly treat cardiovascular disease
Homocysteine
Homocysteine: Its Destructive Role in Cardiovascular, Cognitive and Bone Health
Homocysteine is considered a primary risk factor for cardiovascular disease including stroke and deep vein thrombosis. It is now thought that elevated homocysteine, may also contribute to many other conditions such as infertility, cognitive decline and bone fractures.
Advanced Methyl Caps: Promote Healthy Homocysteine Levels
Elevated homocysteine levels are recognized as an important risk factor for heart disease. A recent study found that elevated homocysteine levels were strongly associated with low dietary and blood levels of B6, B12, and folate (folic acid).
Pyridoxal-5'-Phosphate (P5P): Healthy Homocysteine Levels Important for Heart Health and Mutagenic Concerns
P5P may have a protective effect against cardiovascular disease and some cancers.
News Item: B Vitamins Improve Heart Health
Researchers have determined that treating heart disease patients with B vitamins reduces the incidence of major adverse events that can usually occur after treatment.
Be Well with B-6
Pyridoxine (vitamin B-6) has been widely studied for its ability to lower homocysteine levels, improve severe complications associated with diabetes, reverse symptoms of edema and relieve carpal tunnel syndrome.
Battling Heart Disease: Natural Help For Fighting America's #1 Killer
Many factors influence efficient cardiovascular function. Excess circulating cholesterol, triglycerides and other fats, lipoprotein (a), homocysteine, insulin, glucose, adrenalin and vitamin C deficiency are all culprits in the development of heart disease.
Arterial Health
Stem Cell Enhancement: Fucoidan’s Novel Role in Tissue Repair and Heart Health
Fucoidan is a novel, marine-derived natural substance well researched for its immune enhancing abilities and now known to help mobilize stem cells, thereby enhancing cardiovascular and overall health.
News Item: Vitamin K and D Intake Support Arterial Health in Postmenopausal Women
A new study shows vitamin D and vitamin K strongly inhibit calcification of the arteries, a major cause of the hardening of the arteries that leads to heart disease.
Resveratrol – Plant Compound of Interest to Those Concerned About Heart Health and Mutagenic Concerns
Resveratrol may be helpful in treating a wide range of afflictions, including fungal diseases, various skin inflammations, and diseases of the heart, liver and blood vessels
Supplement Spotlight: Resveratrol
Resveratrol is a potent antioxidant that has been shown to help prevent atherosclerosis and heart disease. It is also being studied as a protective agent against cancer and as an anti-inflammatory that may relieve arthritis pain.
CardioCare – Nutritional Support for a Healthy Heart and Arteries
Vitamin Research's CardioCare formula was designed to help prevent (or benefit pre-existing) atherosclerotic conditions of all kinds, particularly coronary artery disease.
Supplement Spotlight: Quercetin
Quercetin is part of the flavonoid family of compounds, members of which display a variety of biological activities, including cardiovascular protection, anti-cancer activity, and anti-inflammation
News Item: Fish Oils Can Help Prevent Sudden Cardiac Death
Scientists in Denmark report that fish oils significantly increase heart rate variability (HRV) and conclude that this is likely the explanation for their protective effect.
A New Approach For Heart Attacks: Diet & Herbs
Besides working on the lifestyle changes, there are several botanicals that can be use to reduce the incidence of cardiovascular disease. Some of these herbs are: reishi, garlic, cayenne, ginger, hawthorn, coleus and olive leaves.
Nutrition Approaches To Heart Health
Heart disease can be preventable through lifestyle modifications such as diet, exercise, stress reduction, smoking cessation, weight loss and the judicious use of dietary supplements.
Matters Of The Heart
While there are prescription drugs that address heart disease, prevention — as always — is the best medicine. Nutritional supplements — in addition to exercising, not smoking and eating a Mediterranean-type diet high in fruits and vegetables with moderate protein and "good" unsaturated fats can help prevent heart disease.
Anti-Coagulants (Blood Thinners)
Ginger, Turmeric and Other Natural Anti-Coagulants – Review of Select Natural Blood ThinnersBlood-thinners (anti-coagulants) are often prescribed for those at risk of blood clots and cardiovascular disease. Anti-coagulants such as Coumadin® (Warfarin), and platelet aggregation inhibitors such as Plavix® (Clopidogrel) are often used to prevent these clots. For individuals who want an alternative, research indicates that a number of natural substances may safely inhibit platelet aggregation.
The Goodness of Garlic
This healing herb has climbed the ranks fromfolk remedy to research darling.
Searches on Medline, a well-respected medical research computer database, result in hundreds of citations reporting the effectiveness of garlic in killing bacteria, lowering cholesterol levels, lowering high blood pressure, preventing blood clots and reducing the risk of stroke and heart attacks.
Nattokinase and Serrapeptase: Nature’s Clot-Busters
An ideal natural clot-busting supplement could combine nattokinase and enterically coated serrapeptase granules
Cardiovascular Health – a Clinician’s Perspective
Nattokinase is one of the greatest advances in the nutriceutical support of cardiovascular disease in the last century. This article discusses how higher doses of nattokinase can improve arterial health—even in heart disease patients not following ideal diet recommendations
Fight Unwanted Blood Clots With Nattokinase
Nattokinase has been the subject of 17 studies, including two small human trials. Researchers from Biotechnology Research Laboratories and JCR Pharmaceuticals Co. of Kobe, Japan, have tested its ability to dissolve a thrombus in the carotid arteries of rats.
Warfarin side effects: Watch for dangerous interactions
Although commonly used to treat blood clots, warfarin (Coumadin) can have dangerous side effects or interactions that can place you at risk of bleeding. Here are precautions to take to avoid warfarin side effects.
Chelation
DMSA and Heavy Metal Toxicity
DMSA (meso-2,-3-dimercaptosuccinic acid) is a sulfhydryl-containing, water-soluble, non-toxic, orally administered metal chelator[1] that has been in use as an antidote to heavy metal toxicity since the 1950s.
Chelation with EDTA – A Food Additive with Many Remarkable Properties
Those unable to obtain intravenous chelation therapy due to financial, occupational, geographical or other restraints, or who wish to undergo a less-intensive preventive approach may be able to obtain many of the same benefits of intravenous chelation therapy by consuming food-additive EDTA that is used as a stabilizer in food supplements
Chelation — An Underutilized Method of Supporting Heart and Overall Health
Proponents of EDTA chelation therapy, believe that it is highly beneficial in the prevention and treatment of atherosclerosis as well as other chronic degenerative diseases
Arrhythmia
Keeping the Beat, Naturally – Drug-free Alternatives for Arrhythmia
While antiarrhythmic drugs are effective, they can have serious side effects. A number of cost effective supplements have been shown to prevent the occurrence of arrhythmias, support normal heart rhythm, improve cardiac function and decrease the incidence and damaging effects of arrhythmias, without the serious side effects of prescription medications.
Cardio Rhythm – Daily Support Maintains Strong and Regular Heart Rhythm
A number of natural agents have been shown to prevent the occurrence of arrhythmias while supporting normal heart rhythm and improving cardiac function
Studies To Examine Whether Fish Oils Can Prevent Arrhythmias
Recent studies in animal and human cardiac tissue have helped to confirm that omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), usually derived from fatty fish or fish oil, can act to stabilize heart rhythms.
