Buying guide for best cardiovascular support supplements
Cardiovascular disease refers to a broad spectrum of diseases including vascular diseases of the brain, kidney disease, peripheral artery disease, and heart disease. Since the early 1900s, cardiovascular diseases, also known as CVDs, are the main cause of death in the United States.
Cardiovascular support supplements are a dietary nutritional supplement formulated to provide the nutrients required to sustain and support the cardiovascular system that may otherwise not be consumed in sufficient quantities in one’s daily diet. They may come in the form of individual supplements, or they may contain several active ingredients.
Everyone’s needs are different, and choosing the right pill is a matter of considering your personal sensitivities, health needs, and diet.
If you miss out on opportunities to get heart-healthy nutrients in your regular meals and snacks, cardiovascular support supplement can help ensure your heart receives the nutritional support needed to keep you healthy, active, and fit. Read on to learn more about the types of cardiovascular support supplements available.
Key considerations
People looking for a natural way to optimum health often turn to nutritional support supplements to augment a “less-than-perfect” diet. In the United States, more than 68% of the population take some form of nutritional supplement daily.
Cardiovascular support supplements come in many forms. They may provide a daily dose of an individual ingredient to promote heart health, or they may combine several ingredients for well-rounded cardiovascular support.
If you know you are deficient in a few areas, individual supplements may be your best option. For general cardiovascular support, a multivitamin may work well for you. Either way, you should consult your doctor before you make a decision to ensure that you are getting the right amount of nutrients for optimal heart health.
Types of cardiovascular support supplements
Daily multivitamins
Vitamins and minerals help lower heart disease risk. It is important to remember that a healthy diet of whole foods should be our main source of nutrients. However, the average American diet falls short of the recommended intakes. A healthy heart requires that the body have an adequate supply of beta carotene, folic acid, and vitamins B6, B12, C, and E.
Talk to your healthcare provider about your vitamin D levels. Medical research shows a confirmed association between vitamin D deficiency and cardiovascular risk. Low levels of vitamin D proved a significant predictor of reduced survival, while a sufficient amount of vitamin D improved the average outcome.
While a nutritional supplement cannot compensate for unhealthy eating habits, it can help offset nutritional shortfalls and is recommended to reduce cardiovascular events.
L-carnitine
The amino acid L-carnitine is required to transport fats into the mitochondria for conversion into energy, an adequate amount of which is required for normal heart function. Clinical trials report patients treated with L-carnitine noticed a significant reduction in angina symptoms and an improvement in heart function.
Sterols and stanols
Found in nuts and grains, sterols and stanols reduce the amount of cholesterol the body absorbs from food. Also found in yogurt and orange juice or as a supplement, 2 grams of sterols and stanols per day helps significantly lower LDL cholesterol in persons with high cholesterol.
Fiber
One of the symptoms of cardiovascular disease is high cholesterol. When combined with a diet low in saturated fats and cholesterol, blond psyllium fiber supplement may help to lower cholesterol.
- Everyone should try to include from 25 to 30 grams of fiber per day in their daily diet. However, for heart health, cardiac specialists suggest men under 50 years of age should have a minimum of 38 grams of fiber in their daily diet.
- When adding additional fiber to the diet, be sure to stay well hydrated.
Magnesium
Individuals with low magnesium levels may be at cardiovascular risk. Medical research indicates that low magnesium is linked to arterial plaque build-up, high cholesterol, hardening of the arteries, calcification of soft tissue, and high blood pressure.
Magnesium supplements are available in various mineral forms and combinations including magnesium gluconate, magnesium hydroxide, magnesium sulfate, and magnesium citrate.
Before adding a magnesium supplement to your diet, talk to your doctor. Persons with kidney disease should not take a magnesium supplement. Your doctor can tell you if you would benefit from taking a magnesium supplement and which mineral form is best for you.
Omega-3 fatty acids
Omega-3 fatty acids are essential to heart health. These polyunsaturated fatty acids found in the oil derived from certain fish species, marine life, and vegetables and other plant sources must be consumed in the diet or ingested in the form of supplements. Because omega-3 fatty acids are not made in the body, supplements may be helpful for people who do not get enough omega-3 in their diet.
Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids lower the body’s production of triglycerides, high levels of which can lead to stroke, heart attack, or coronary artery disease.
Hydroxytyrosol
Hydroxytyrosol (HOTYR), a phenolic component of olive oil, offers a diverse array of health benefits that engage protective actions against several diseases including cancer, cardiovascular diseases, and acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). Exhibiting potent anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, hydroxytyrosol protects low-density lipoproteins and consequently can play a pivotal role in the reduction of cardiovascular disease risk.
The recommended daily dosage of hydroxytyrosol is 5 milligrams
CoQ10
Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10), found in every cell of the human body, is a substance produced in the body that cells use to produce the energy required for growth and maintenance. Functioning as an antioxidant, CoQ10 helps protect the body from free radical damage brought about by harmful molecules in the environment. Research studies implicate CoQ10 deficiency with statin myopathy and myocardial dysfunction.
Healthcare providers suggest that people at risk for cardiovascular disease supplement their daily diet with 200 milligrams of CoQ10, which is best absorbed when taken with a meal containing some oils or fat.
Concerns and cautions
Like other over-the-counter medications, cardiovascular supplements may cause side effects or trigger an allergic reaction. Before adding a cardiovascular supplement to your daily diet intake, talk to your health care provider to discuss and other prescription and nonprescription medications you may be taking. You should ask your doctor these questions:
- What are the health benefits of this supplement?
- Does this supplement have any known side effects or risks?
- What is the correct dosage?
- How, when, and for how long should I take this supplement?
Cardiovascular supplements contain potent active ingredients that can have a strong impact on the body. Be alert to unexpected side effects, especially if you are adding a new product.
It is wise to remember that many of the active ingredients found in cardiovascular supplements are already added to a great number of the foods we consume, including beverages and breakfast foods. You may already be consuming more of these ingredients than you realize, and not always for the better. Taking more than you require of any nutritional supplement raises your risk of experiencing unwelcome side effects.
Did you know?
High levels of triglycerides can lead to a heart attack, coronary artery disease, or a stroke.
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Features
Quality
Cardiovascular supplements are complex products. While the FDA has implemented good manufacturing practices (GMPs) to prevent the inclusion of potentially harmful ingredients or too much or too little of the active ingredient, this does not ensure that the cardiovascular supplement is effective or safe.
Delivery method
Cardiovascular support supplements may be amino acids, fatty acids, vitamins, minerals, electrolytes, and other substances delivered in the form of liquid, capsules, powders, capsules, and tablets. There’s no best delivery method — choose a form that is easy for you to take, whether you prefer a pill or a powder you can mix with your food.
Cardiovascular support supplements are available in a diverse array of dosages and with different active ingredient formulations.
“Best by” date
When purchasing cardiovascular supplements, check the expiration date to ensure you are purchasing the freshest product possible. Supplements beyond their expiration date may lose potency or could even be harmful.
Fact panel
All nutritional supplement products carry a facts panel that lists the contents, other added ingredients (like fillers, binders, and flavorings), and the amount of active ingredients per serving.
The manufacturer’s panel suggests the serving size, but it is important that you and your health care provider determine the dosage appropriate for you.
"Smokers or persons otherwise at risk for cardiovascular problems should not take beta-carotene or vitamin E supplements for the prevention of cardiovascular disease. "
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Cardiovascular support supplement prices
Cardiovascular support supplements vary significantly in price depending on the manufacturer, the number of active ingredients, and packaging. When shopping for a cardiovascular supplement, it is important to note that dosages, formulations, and delivery methods vary. Rather than compare the price of the package, compare the cost per daily dosage.
Inexpensive: Cardiovascular support supplements in the budget price range tend to be single-active-ingredient products. In this price range, expect to pay from $3 to $13 for up to a three-month supply of a particular ingredient.
Mid-range: This price range includes name brand cardiovascular support supplements priced from $13 to $30. These may be supplements with one active ingredient, or they may be general cardiovascular supplements.
Expensive: Cardiovascular support supplements in the expensive price range cost from $30 to $70 for a 30-day supply. You can expect to find general cardiovascular support supplements in this range.
Did you know?
CoQ10 doesn’t just support heart health — it is also important for sperm health and may help support fertility.
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Tips
- Because the manufacture of nutritional supplements is not standardized, side effects, health benefits, and product potency may vary from brand to brand. Cardiovascular supplements contain potent active ingredients that could have a strong impact on the body. Be cautious of unexpected side effects, especially if you are adding a new product.
- Do not take omega-3 cardiovascular support supplements if you are allergic to soybeans or fish.
- When shopping for omega-3 supplements, look for 100% pure, non-GMO fish sourced only from wild-caught fish and marine life. Select a product that is FDA-registered and inspected at a GMP-certified processing facility.
- If you are pregnant or nursing, do not take a cardiovascular support supplement without first discussing the product with your healthcare provider.
FAQ
Q. To keep my heart healthy, do I need to take a cardiovascular support supplement daily?
A. Most supplements are designed to be taken daily, but the right dosage and frequency depends on your diet. Supplements are not intended to replace whole foods in your diet but rather to provide the nutrients not derived from the diet. A heart-healthy diet includes plenty of vegetables, fruits, adequate protein, whole grains, and healthy fats.
Q. Are cardiovascular support supplements safe and effective?
A. Cardiovascular support supplements are safe if they are not used in excessive amounts. Always read the product package label, and only take the recommended daily allowance (RDA) listed.
Q. I have a sensitive stomach and I am prone to allergies. What should I look for in a cardiovascular support supplement?
A. Choose a cardiovascular support supplement that is free of artificial sweeteners, colors, gluten, or preservatives. Ask your healthcare provider, who is familiar with your sensitivities and unique medical issues, to recommend a formulation to best address your nutritional needs.
