5 Heart Health Supplements To Take

“Follow your heart” takes on a new meaning regarding our well-being. 

The main organ of the cardiovascular system, the heart, has the important role of pumping blood through our bodies. So it’s essential to take steps to enhance heart health. 

But do heart health supplements work? 

When considering vitamins for heart health, it’s worth doing your homework. There are endless nutritional product choices on the market, but they’re not all effective. 

In this blog, we’ll cover the best supplements for heart health. So let’s get started!

What are the benefits of using supplements?

Whether looking for straightforward ways to boost your wellness or you’re already a fitness fiend, supplements can be the way to go. They’re generally convenient to take, somewhat inexpensive, and easy to find. 

Furthermore, high-quality nutritional aids can support your muscles and bones. They can even improve your mood and quality of sleep. 

But how do supplements promote a healthy heart? 

In an article for Mayo Clinic, Registered Dietician, Katherine Zeratsky, explains that some vitamins, like vitamin E and C, may lower the risk for heart disease. But more extensive clinical trials haven’t shown this.

Furthermore, the American Heart Association doesn’t suggest relying on either vitamin for heart disease prevention. 

Various factors that play a role in the heart’s health include:

• Diet
• Smoking
• Fitness level
• Weight
• Cholesterol 
• Diabetes

That said, the right supplements can potentially boost your heart health by:

• Reducing the amount of cholesterol absorbed from food
• Lowering LDL (low-density lipoprotein or “bad” cholesterol)
• Increasing HDL (high-density lipoprotein or “good” cholesterol)
• Decreasing blood pressure
• Slowing plaque build-up in arteries 
• Reducing the risk of blood clots 
• Stabilizing heart rhythms
• Lowering triglycerides 

In short, some studies show that certain supplements may improve blood pressure, reduce bad cholesterol, and help prevent issues related to heart disease. But, it’s unclear whether heart health supplements work to prevent strokes or heart attacks. 

Regardless, the right nutrients taken under the supervision of a qualified healthcare provider can be a positive addition!

The best supplements for heart health:

Many well-formulated supplements can boost your body’s and heart’s overall health, but none will magically prevent heart disease completely. Supplementation is most effective with a healthy diet, regular exercise, and good-quality sleep. 

Nevertheless, supplements such as fiber, garlic, and magnesium can be beneficial add-ons for the health of your precious blood-pumping organ. 

But let’s dive a little deeper.

Here are the best supplements for a healthier heart: 

1. Garlic

The World Health Organization states cardiovascular diseases, such as strokes and heart attacks, are the greatest cause of death globally. 

Issues such as hypertension or high blood pressure are significant factors (among others) that can lead to cardiovascular diseases.

On a more positive note, human-done research revealed that garlic supplements can considerably reduce blood pressure in individuals with high blood pressure.

While you can get garlic in supplemental form, studies indicate that foods containing it are also beneficial. A medically reviewed Healthline article by Joe Leech (MS) explains that you’d need the equivalent of four garlic cloves daily.

Furthermore, the Journal of Nutrition published an article explaining that garlic:

• Reduces blood pressure
• Regulates serum cholesterol and
• Encourages immunity

2. Magnesium

Central to a healthy heart rhythm, magnesium is involved in moving electrolytes (like potassium and calcium) into the cells. 

Electrolytes are crucial for nerve signals and muscle contractions needed for a healthy heartbeat. Moreover, research indicates that magnesium deficiency can be linked to arrhythmias (a problem with the rhythm or rate of one’s heartbeat). 

Cardiology Research and Practice published a review in 2019 that found that inadequate magnesium in the blood could increase the chance of developing cardiovascular disease. 

Legumes and nuts are high in Mg, but because we often eat processed foods, we don’t necessarily get enough, which is where a supplement can come in handy. 

Supplements for this mineral come in various forms. 

3. L-Carnitine 

A naturally occurring amino acid that our body produces, L-carnitine, plays an important role in converting fat into energy. 

Research indicates that taking L-carnitine by IV or orally can possibly be efficacious in reducing the symptoms of angina (chest pain). How does it do this? When combined with standard treatment, L-carnitine can improve exercise tolerance and decrease chest pain for those with cardiac syndrome X.

According to Web MD, those with cardiac syndrome X experience chest pain but not artery blockage. 

Also, L-carnitine ingested by IV or orally seemed to help ease symptoms in those with heart failure. Likewise, it improved their exercise ability. 

Please note IV products are only to be given by a qualified healthcare professional. 

4. Green tea

Studies display that green tea can decrease LDL cholesterol and triglycerides, which may be why this soothing warm beverage is associated with a decreased chance of stroke and heart disease.

Some experts believe green tea is better consumed as a tea three times daily because the supplemental form has been known to cause concern. 

Harvard Health describes that a study of roughly 40,500 Japanese adults found that the participants who consumed more than five cups of green tea daily had a 26% lower risk of death from stroke or heart attack than those who drank less than a cup of green tea daily.

5. Fiber

In a perfect world, we’d get ample fiber from foods like beans, broccoli, and nuts. But we aren’t always able to consume enough dietary fiber; a supplement can offer helpful support. 

What’s the best fiber to include in your daily life? While there’s no perfect answer, psyllium is a great start. 

According to an article published on the Mount Sinai Health System site, adding fiber to your eating plan, particularly psyllium, can help reduce blood pressure. 

In one study done with six months of psyllium fiber supplementation, blood pressure was decreased in overweight individuals with hypertension. 

Furthermore, soluble fibers, like those in flax seed, oat bran, and psyllium husk, can help decrease cholesterol when included with a low-cholesterol and low-fat diet. 

What are the best vitamins for heart and circulation

The list above includes supplements in many forms, like vitamins, minerals, whole foods, and fats. However, the best vitamins for the heart and circulation can include:

• CoQ10: A medically reviewed piece published on SelfDecode, a site that complies with HONcode for health information excellence, explains that in numerous studies done on over 135 people, 100-300 mg of CoQ10 daily increased circulation and improved blood vessel health. 
• Possibly folic acid: A study published in NIH notes that taking folic acid boosts skeletal muscle blood flow during plantar flexion and handgrip exercises in older adults. 

We’ll explain both in more detail below, but they can come alone or with other supplemental ingredients. 

What are the most popular vitamins for heart health, and where do you get them?

1. Daily multivitamins: When we don’t have time to grocery shop and meal prep properly, a practical way to get additional vitamins and minerals is from a comprehensive multivitamin. 

The Daily Multiple Vitamins, offered on Ravkoo RX, provides you with a solid nutrient foundation to help establish optimal wellness. 

When our body is supported with life-giving nutrients and minerals, our heart won’t need to work as hard. However, consulting with a health expert for a long-term plan to support your heart’s well-being is ideal. 

Multivitamin supplements complement a healthy lifestyle and aren’t meant to replace nutrient-rich meals. 

2. Folic acid: Also known as folate and the natural form of B9, folic acid can lower the amino acid levels (homocysteine), which is linked to heart disease. 

Pick up a complete B-Complex for Heart and Nervous System Health via Ravkoo RX. This professionally-formulated supplement supports the cardiovascular, pulmonary, and nervous systems.  

3. Omega 3 and CoQ10: Firstly, omega-3 fatty acids aren’t technically vitamins (as they are fats). But according to a study published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology, they cut unhealthy fats known as triglycerides by 30% in participants who had heart disease after suffering heart attacks. 

Secondly, our bodies make small amounts of an enzyme called ubiquinol. But in supplement form, CoQ10 can aid in reducing blood pressure. 

Ravkoo RX keeps it simple for you with its selection of OMEGA-3 2100 with COQ10.

What’s the best way to get vitamins? 

Harvard Health notes that the best strategy to get an assortment of vitamins and minerals is by consuming a wide variety of nutrient-dense foods. 

Ideally, you want to focus on fruits and veggies. Also include whole grains, low-fat protein, legumes, beans, and dairy products.

If this seems overwhelming, rest assured, knowing that many foods contain vitamins and minerals.

Foods high in vitamins and minerals include:

• Animal fats
• Dairy (milk, yogurt, cheese)
• Grains
• Green leafy vegetables
• Green & red peppers
• Broccoli 
• Strawberries
• Blueberries
• Blackberries 

Foods that support a healthier heart include:

• Green leafy vegetables (kale, spinach, collard greens)
• Berries (raspberries, blackberries, and strawberries)
• Avocado
• Fatty fish
• Walnuts 
• Beans
• Dark chocolate
• Tomatoes 
• Olive oil
• Edamame

How to check heart health online? 

Thanks to the growing demand for accessible and affordable healthcare services, you can now purchase at-home tests to check your heart’s health. 

Our Ravkoo Heart Health Test can be ordered and delivered to your doorstep. This accurate lab checks your LDL and HDL levels to assess your heart disease risk. Within days, you can take the test and get feedback. 

Results are posted from within the app for your comfort and convenience. 

Important Note:

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) suggests consulting a doctor before taking supplements or vitamins for heart health. Certain ingredients in a supplement may conflict with medications you’re already taking.

Finally, your heart works tirelessly for you all day, every day. Supporting it with adequate nutrition, physical activity, and sleep will have your blood pumping a little happier.