Nutrients Your Heart Will Love

By Dr. Reginald B. Cherry, M.D., Christian Post Contributor Thursday, August 06, 2009

Let's take a closer look at the 5th smooth stone for fighting cardiovascular disease, "Use Other Natural Compounds That Specifically Address Cardiovascular Disease."

As mentioned in 5 Smooth Stones to Defeat Cardiovascular Disease , there are lifestyle steps you can take to reduce your risk of stroke and heart attack, lower your blood pressure, and prevent cardiovascular disease. One step is to take specific heart-healthy natural compounds in addition to your daily supplement program.

Special Note: If you already have an existing heart condition, please consult with your doctor before starting this or any nutritional program.

Natural Compounds to Address Cardiovascular Disease

• B-Vitamins and Betaine: B6, B12 and folate all reduce homocysteine levels in the blood, which is very important because high homocysteine levels can double the risk of heart disease. Betaine works with the B vitamins to lower homocysteine levels.

Coenzyme Q10: CoQ10 is one of the only substances that strengthens heart contractions, and it helps stabilize the electrical activity of the heart. (Statin drugs may interfere with production of CoQ10, increasing the need for supplementation.)

Garlic Extract: Garlic has numerous phytochemicals that help normalize blood pressure, reduce platelet stickiness, regulate blood lipid levels and reduce atherosclerotic plaque formation.

Green Tea Extract: Green tea is a natural source of catechin antioxidants, polyphenols and flavonoids, which together help dilate blood vessels to improve blood flow, stop inflammation in and relax arteries, and prevent LDL cholesterol oxidation.

Grape Seed and Grape Skin Extract: These extracts are natural sources of anthocanidin antioxidants, which reduce blood clotting. Grape skin also contains resveratrol, which decreases blood platelet stickiness and keep blood vessels open and flexible. Grape seed extract can raise HDL ("good") cholesterol and may reduce triglyceride levels.

Hawthorn Extract: This herbal extract has a direct effect on the electrical activity and conduction in the heart which strengthens the heart, regulates heart rhythm and helps normalize blood pressure. It also works well to supplement the effects of ACE inhibitors.

L-arginine: An amino acid, L-arginie can counter the constriction of blood vessels and keep blood flowing smoothly, even if there is plaque buildup.

Magnesium: This mineral is valuable for energy metabolism in the heart and appears to work with calcium and potassium to regulate blood pressure. It may also protect against atherosclerosis, or plaque buildup. Magnesium deficiencies are common.

Notoginseng: This herb improves blood flow and helps regulate heart rhythm by helping to stabilize the electrical activity of the heart.

Policosanol: This extract reduces inflammation in the artery lining and may be an effective balancer of cholesterol levels

Taurine: This amino acid has a direct effect on calming and stabilizing the electrical conduction of the heart muscle, thus helping to regulate heart rhythm.

Tocotrienols: These important antioxidants – cousins of vitamin E tocopherols – help regulate cholesterol and may prevent LDL cholesterol from oxidizing.

DHA and EPA These omega-3 fatty acids appear to reduce your risk of dying of heart disease. Omega-3 fatty acids are also believed to reduce inflammation throughout the body, decrease triglycerides, lower blood pressure, and reduce blood clotting.

Many of these compounds work best when taken together, so make sure you take not only the right ones, but also take them in the right combinations for maximum effect. Our Cardiovascular Support has been formulated to supply all of the above specialized nutrients (except omega-3 fatty acids, which are found in Basic Nutrient Support) in the most effective amounts and ratios to each other to support all aspects of cardiovascular function.

Proverbs instructs us, "Keep your heart with all diligence, for out of it spring the issues of life." Just as the Bible speaks of the heart as the center of our spiritual lives, so it is the center of a healthy mind and body.