Heart health is key. Among the leading causes of death, today are diseases are related to the heart. Most of the population currently suffers or is exposed to the risk factors leading to heart disease. Among these risk factors are high blood pressure, high cholesterol, or smoking. They potentially lead to heart health-related diseases such as strokes, heart failure, heart attacks, and even death.
Cases of adults over the age of 20 using dietary supplements are increasing. The most popular supplements that are being used include omega-3 fatty acids and vitamin D. Most supplements and multivitamins claim to help the body prevent diseases of the heart and maintain heart health. Oftentimes, this is not true. They cannot help to protect you from suffering from heart diseases entirely. What they do, though not all of them, is that they help to lower your risk of getting heart disease. In addition to that, they have other benefits for your overall wellbeing.
You should try as much as you can to get nutrients from food. A healthy and nutritious diet offers nutrients for your body. This in turn improves heart health. The advantage that food has over dietary supplements is that you do not experience any side effects. If you eat a balanced diet regularly, your body will not need the extra nutrients drawn from supplements. The main sources of heart health vitamins include fruits and vegetables, whole grains, nuts, and plant-based oils. Supplements are only meant to fill in any gaps that are left in your diet.
There are so many different types of vitamins and supplements on the market today. They all claim to have great benefits for your heart health. You are often unable to determine if they are helpful as they claim, and if so, the exact effects that they have on your heart. Even the research findings conducted to assess the effects of dietary supplements on the health of the heart are not very clear. This article briefly discusses some of the vitamins that are good for your heart’s health.
Disclaimer: They should not be taken without getting the necessary advice from your medical practitioner. When you have to use them, ensure that you take them in moderation for them to be beneficial to your health. You should also use them as you continue to practise healthy eating habits. The vitamins that are helpful to your heart include:
Top recommended vitamins for heart health.
- a) Vitamin D
Various studies have shown that low vitamin D levels are linked to diseases of the heart. Vitamin D plays a key role when it comes to heart health. Having low vitamin D levels predisposes you to a higher risk of suffering from stroke, high blood pressure, heart attacks, and other heart-related complications. A simple blood test is used to check the vitamin D levels in your blood. Supplementing your vitamin D levels will therefore be helpful to the health of your heart. Conversely, excessive vitamin D also predisposes you to a higher risk of suffering from heart-related diseases and complications. Moderation in the use of these supplements is therefore key.
- b) Folic acid
This is classified under the B category of vitamins. It is helpful in lowering the levels of homocysteine in the blood that are responsible for the hardening of the arteries. The main sources of folic acid are asparagus, spinach, and vitamins. You can supplement in the event that your body lacks adequate levels even after eating folic acid-rich foods.
- c) Omega 3 Fatty Acid
They are referred to as essential acids because they are not produced in the body and have to be drawn from the plant and animal products. They have many benefits for the body, key among them being lowering blood pressure levels. They can also be consumed as supplements, though in moderation. The main source of Omega-3 is fish oil.
- d) Magnesium
You are at a higher risk of suffering from heart-related diseases if you have low magnesium levels in your blood. Such conditions include high cholesterol levels, high blood pressure, and hardened arteries, among others. Magnesium is mainly contained in avocados, nuts, and spinach. You can supplement if you have inadequate levels.
