Cardiovascular disease is a very real threat to all Americans and not one to take lightly. We encourage you to eat nourishing foods, take a walk, reduce stress when possible, and perhaps restock your supplement cabinet with a few heart-healthy essentials.
Our supplement staff has assembled their top 5 supplements for a healthy heart. These items are 100% natural, whole food options. Take a moment to see how the following supplements can benefit your heart, this month and all year round.
Magnesium
Your cells need a steady supply of magnesium to maintain muscle function in your blood vessels. Without it, we find ourselves at an increased risk for heart failure. It is an essential mineral and one that gets depleted under stress. That means that most of us are seriously deficient in magnesium and need to supplement our diets with an extra mineral boost. Relatively inexpensive (as supplements go) magnesium can be taken in capsule form or consumed as a beverage in powder form.
Fish Oil
Omega 3 fatty acids have been shown to support the cardiovascular system by reducing cholesterol. They keep blood flowing freely by preventing clots and even reduce the risk of irregular heartbeat. Heart healthy omegas are available through various food sources, but the most for increased benefits and high concentration, look for a high-quality fish oil supplement.
Hawthorn Berries
The little berries of the hawthorn tree hold a powerful key to a healthy heart. In England, where the tree grows natively, studies have shown that this berry may strengthen cardiac muscles, increase oxygen flow, and even slightly dilate vessels for increased circulation.
Reishi Mushrooms
The reishi mushroom is a championed fighter against cardiovascular disease. It helps prevent many different risk factors, due to its high content of heart-saving substances like sterols, ganoderic acids, and polysaccharides. These properties assist in lowering triglyceride levels, removing excess cholesterol from the blood, and lowering blood pressure. One study (reported by Burton Goldberg in “Heart Disease”) found that for 54 people with hypertension, who were unresponsive to medication, taking reishi extract three times a day for four weeks was enough to significantly lower blood pressure.
Turmeric
Both heart attacks and strokes are caused by atherosclerotic plaque buildup or high cholesterol levels. This plaque buildup leads to blood clots which in turn can cause a heart attack. Studies have found that turmeric could prevent blood clots by preventing blood platelets from sticking together, thereby preventing them from forming clots. It can also relax blood vessels and minimize heart damage after suffering a heart attack.
Any member of our helpful and knowledgeable supplement staff can help guide you to the product that’s right for you. Come see us and give your hard working heart a little love.