Supplements for Heart Health and Circulation | How to Improve Your Cardiovascular Health?

Heart & Vascular Health

Many years of studies and statistics suggest that the number one cause of death in the world is heart disease. In the United State the number of deaths from heart disease is almost equal or more than the total deaths from other diseases. In our this month article you will find information on the factors contributing to the heart disease, how to prevent heart disease, and which supplements will help to improve our cardiovascular health.

Blood vessels are generally made up of three layers. Outer layer to protect and provide structure to the vessels. Middle layer is consisting of muscles to control dilation or contraction of vessels. And the inner layer made from a very tiny layer of endothelial cells, providing an easy smooth surface for blood and its components to transport. Damage to this layer is the cause of atherosclerosis (Hardening of Arteries) which can ultimately result in cardiovascular disease. Damage to these cells starts long before the appearance of heart disease symptoms.

Damage to the inner layer of vessels causes its dysfunction. Dysfunctional Endothelial layer will no longer provide a smooth path for blood; therefore, this allows the blood components such as cholesterol , calcium, and toxins to penetrate beneath this layer entering the middle layer of muscle cells. This process triggers the inflammation and plaque formation. Over period of time this plaques harden and the area becomes even more fragile.

The right prevention and treatment starts with taking care of the endothelial layer followed by addressing the risk factors including: high blood pressure, high blood lipids (LDL and Triglycerides), high blood sugar, high homocysteine level, hormonal imbalance, high inflammation markers (CRP), high viscosity of the blood (blood clotting factors), high ratio of omega 6 to omega 3, and deficiencies in vitamins and CoQ10.

LDL cholesterol molecules in the circulation easily pass through the enthothelial layer forming a blister shaped foam cell contributing to plaque formation. Also, interaction of triglyceride molecules with LDL, makes a smaller and even more dangerous type of LDL molecule. HDL molecules however, transport excessive cholesterol form the blood to the liver.

High levels of Inflammation indicators in the blood (CRP) is directly linked to the much higher possibility of heart attack and stroke. Higher than normal concentration of Omega 6 fatty acids also triggers the inflammation pathways. Lowering the ratio of Omega 6 to Omega 3 helps to both reduce the hardened areas in the arteries and inflammation.

High levels of both blood sugar and Insulin is primarily very damaging to the small vessels and metabolically could increase the levels of blood lipids contributing to Atherosclerosis (hardening of vessels).

Homocysteine is a non protein amino acid produced when amino acid Methionine metabolized in our cells. Homocysteine could be converted to amino acid Methionine or Cysteine at the presence of sufficient levels of b vitamins ( in particular B6, B12, and folic acid). High levels of Homocysteine is linked to heart disease, however the mechanism of its action is still unknown.

One of the factors in blood clot formation is the presence of clotting building blocks (fibrinogen and fibrin). Fibrinogen is an inactive protein; but, rough edges of the wounds or damaged endothelial layer will trigger clot formation changing fibrinogen to its active form called fibrin forming the clot. Both high concentration of fibrinogen in the blood and damaged endothelial layer work together creating much greater risk of coronary heart disease, heart attack and stroke.

Vitamins like D and K provide protection against cardiovascular disease. Vitamin D helps in reducing chronic inflammation. Vitamin K transports Calcium from the blood to the bones reducing the risk of vascular calcification. Vitamin K Also participates in blood clotting; therefore, the duration and the dosage of vitamin K to reverse its deficiency should be consulted with a qualified practitioner and monitored via blood tests.

Lack of CoQ10 contributes to vascular disease. CoQ10 prevents the LDL oxidation also by optimizing cellular function against other oxidative stresses protects the endothelial layer. Higher amount of blood CoQ10 increases the improvement rate significantly. CoC10 participate is energy (ATP) production in the cells. Heart is made up of muscles and it never rest, therefore adequate amount of COQ10 improves the hearth function as well.

Nitric Oxide plays an important role to maintain elasticity of the arteries. Due to its ability to act as a vaso-dilator, Nitric oxide expands the vessels and helps to maintain healthy blood pressure.

Natural therapeutics used to address Cardiovascular disease:

Omega 3 essential fatty acids lowers the triglycerides, and blood pressure, while by increases the HDL cholesterol it prevents the LDL from disturbing the endothelial layer. Omega 3 Fatty acids also help to reduce inflammation.

Amino Acid L- Argenine is one of the branched chain amino acids rich in nitrogen group. L-Argenine acts as a precursor to Nitrogen Oxide improving circulation and endothelial function. Studies show patients with peripheral arterial disease improve their condition at taking 3 grams of L- Argenine per day ; and patients with coronary heart disease improved their conditions by taking 10 grams per day.

Studies show that CoQ10 along with Vitamin C, E, and Selenium can significantly improve arterial elasticity , endothelial function and reduce blood pressure.

Lipoic Acid is an antioxidant produced naturally contributing in the function of those enzymes involved in fat, carbohydrate, and protein metabolism. Lipoic acid helps to maintain blood glucose level. Function of Lipoic Acid in particular is enhanced when taken with Vitam E, C, CoQ10, Selenium and L- Carnitine.

L-Carnitine helps with providing energy to the mitochondria of the cells to transport fatty acids. Mitochondria of the heart cells and the vascular endothelial layer require to burn fatty acids as their main source to produce energy ; while, other organs' source of energy is often from Glucose. Studdies support that supplementing with L- Carnithine (Propionyl L-carnitine) greatly improves the cardiovascular perfornce.

Aged Garlic Extract is able to reduce inflammation caused by the high levels of LDL. Two weeks therapy by lower dosage of Aged Garlic Extract in patients on statin and aspirin improved their blood flow. And high dosage of Aged Garlic Extract during 48 months decreased the plaque formation and in some patients the existing plaques were reverted, suggesting Aged Garlic Extract could be used for both prevention and treatment purposes.

Resveratrol is an antioxidant provide protection against the oxidative damages form LDL. Resveretrol also has shown positive effects on regeneration of vascular endothelial cells.

Quercetin acts as powerful antioxidant plus it stimulates Nitric Oxide to provide protection against blood pressure.

Green Tea Extract contains high amount of natural antioxidants shown to reduce blood pressure, and inflammatory indicators.Studies relate the consumption of green tea with less existence of coronary heart disease.

Vitamin K reduces vascular calcification and helps to prevent vascular disease.

Vitamin E and C due to their antioxidant ability protect the endothelial layer against LDL. Also Vitamin E prevents the platelet aggregation and can promote vaso dilatation. Vitamin E (tocopherol) is consist of different types such as Alpha , Beta, and Gamma tocopherols. Researchers found that the patients with cardiovascular disease are particularly deficient in gamma tocopherol and supplementing with gamma tocopherol demonstrated to be much more effective than alpha tocopherol in both antioxidant activity and anti platelet aggregation.

Niacin is able to reduce the amount of VLDL , resulting in lower LDL and higher HDL levels. Studies have also shown that supplementing with Niacin could lower the risk of heart attack and stroke.

Ginkgo biloba is used to monitor its effects on the cardiovascular disease have shown that it can lower LDL , reduce the plaque formation after bypass surgery, also it reduced the plaque size.

Effects of hormonal imbalance on cardiovascular disease:

Testosterone and Estrogen Levels in Men is related to the risk for cardiovascular disease. Several studies indicate that lower levels of free testosterone and elevated Estradiol (Main type of estrogen) is increasing the cardiovascular disease and stoke rate in men significantly. In Men testosterone modifies to Estradiol via the function of an enzyme called aromatize. Excess activity of this enzyme and elevated Estrodiol levels in middle aged men is related to premature cardiovascular disease. Also; by aging , the production of Testosterone in men decreases and elevates their risk of heart attack and stroke.

Levels of Testosterone in women also plays role in developing cardiovascular disease. Testosterone in women produced in a very small amount mainly by the adrenal glands. Although, high levels of testosterone in women causes many hormonal issues such as infertility, PCOS, acne, and menstrual irregularity, maintaining normal low levels of testosterone in women reduces the risks of cardiovascular disease and stroke.

DHEA (Dehydroepiandrosterone) It is the highest circulating steroid hormone in human. DHEA is the precursor to the sex hormones such as testosterone and estrogen in both men and women. Aging and hormonal imbalance contribute to lower than normal range DHEA which is associated with chronic inflammation, high blood pressure, and higher risks of developing cardiovascular disease. Regular exercise will help to maintain the DHEA level within the normal range.

Estrogen and progesterone balance in women is related to the cardiovascular health. Exposure to estrogenic toxins disturbs this fine balance in women affecting the natural production of estrogen and progesterone. Aging and menopause as well cause hormonal imbalance. Low levels of estrogen and progesterone is linked to cardiovascular disease, while hormone replacement therapy and synthetic drugs do not address the cardiovascular disease due to hormonal imbalance.

Plant Estrogens called Phytoestrogens perform estrogen like activity and provide estrogen like benefits. Studies suggest that supplementing with Phytoestrogens such as ginistein not only does help to improve menopausal symptoms and provide protection against osteoporosis but also it contribute to prevent cardiovascular disease by improving endothelial function.

Atherosclerosis contributes to the high number of cases of cardiovascular disease, hear attack, and stroke. Endothelial damage starts much earlier than the actual symptom of cardiovascular disease appears. Blood tests help to identify the problem and address it as soon as possible by improving the endothelial function and reducing plaque build up.

Articles and products featured by Health Palace are collected from a variety of sources and are provided as a service by Health Palace. These newsletters, while of potential interest to readers, do not necessarily represent the opinions nor constitute the advice of Health Palace. Presented materials are only for information purposes and do not intent to treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

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