Cardiovascular disease, also known as heart disease, or coronary artery disease (CAD), is the number one killer in the United States.

Some herbs and supplements can help lower your chance of heart disease and treat heart conditions you already have. Diet and lifestyle also play a big role in preventing and reversing heart disease.

Atherosclerosis is the main cause of most heart disease, and some herbs and vitamins may help fight it. Plaque builds up in your arteries because of atherosclerosis. This stops oxygen-rich blood from getting to your heart and other systems. It might even kill you or give you a heart attack.

In the developing world, people eat and live in ways that are very different from those in the developed world, so atherosclerosis is not very common there.

Herbs and Supplements for Heart Disease

Here are some nutritional supplements that may help decrease your risk of developing heart disease:

Coenzyme Q10

CoenzymeQ10, also written as CoQ10 or ubiquinone, is a chemical that is very important for cells to get energy from food. Since your heart is the muscle that works the hardest,

Getting enough CoQ10 is important for your heart so it has the energy to do its job. This chemical is lost with age and is also lost when you have low cholesterol.

This research shows that taking CoQ10 tablets lowers oxidative stress and raises the activity of antioxidant enzymes, which helps heart disease symptoms. Even though it's not easy to absorb when taken by mouth, CoQ10 is safe and well-tolerated. A more "bioavailable" form, ubiquinol, is better at getting into your system.

Statin treatment can lower CoQ10 levels, so people who are taking statins might want to think about taking CoQ10 supplements.

Omega-3 Fatty Acids

Omega-3 fatty acids are important nutrients that help lower the swelling that comes from atherosclerosis. Also, they lower triglycerides, which are fatty parts of your blood that can block your vessels. Heart disease and diabetes are both linked to high cholesterol levels.
Fish, which is high in omega-3 fatty acids, has been linked to lower blood pressure, better blood lipid profiles (including lower triglycerides), and a lower chance of death from heart disease.

Green Tea

People all over the world have been drinking green tea for hundreds of years because it is good for them. This study looks at how well the antioxidant epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), which is one of its main parts, can protect the heart. Six to eight cups of green tea a day were linked to big health gains in the study. You can also get green tea powder in the form of capsules as a supplement.

Pomegranate

Pomegranate juice and green tea have both been drunk for hundreds of years because people think the ruby-red fruit is good for them. In this study, modern scientists show that this view is true. Fruit and juice from pomegranates contain strong antioxidants that may help fix atherosclerosis and lower blood pressure.

Magnesium and Potassium

One study found that magnesium tablets may lower blood pressure and are good for the heart in general and for people who have heart disease.
Another study shows that eating foods high in potassium can also help the heart work better by lowering blood pressure that comes from eating a lot of salt.
You may have always been told that sodium chloride, or table salt, is bad for you. However, this study shows that replacing table salt with magnesium and potassium salts can actually lower blood pressure.

Lesson Summary

Cardiovascular disease, which is the leading cause of death in the United States, can be prevented and treated with the help of herbs, supplements, diet, and lifestyle changes. Atherosclerosis, the main cause of heart disease, results in plaque buildup in the arteries, hindering blood flow and potentially leading to heart attacks. By incorporating certain herbs and vitamins, you can combat atherosclerosis and reduce your risk of heart disease.

• Coenzyme Q10, also known as CoQ10, is crucial for providing energy to cells, especially the heart muscle. It helps lower oxidative stress and enhance the activity of antioxidant enzymes, contributing to improved heart health. Consider taking the more easily absorbable form, ubiquinol, especially if you are on statin treatment.
• Omega-3 fatty acids play a vital role in reducing inflammation associated with atherosclerosis and lowering triglycerides, benefiting heart health. Foods high in omega-3, like fish, have been linked to better blood pressure, lipid profiles, and decreased risk of heart disease.
• Green tea contains antioxidants like epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) that protect the heart and have shown significant health benefits. Consuming six to eight cups daily or supplementing with green tea capsules can be beneficial.
• Pomegranate, rich in antioxidants, has been found to aid in combating atherosclerosis and reducing blood pressure, making it beneficial for heart health.
• Magnesium and potassium have also shown positive effects on heart health. Magnesium supplements can lower blood pressure, while foods high in potassium can improve heart function and decrease blood pressure resulting from excessive salt intake.