Supplements That Are Good for Heart Health

By [http://EzineArticles.com/expert/Richard_Johnson/2347466]Richard Johnson

It is not a secret that vitamins are essential for our overall health. To get the required amount of vitamins it is important to maintain a well-balanced diet. However, nutrients we consume from our daily diet may not be sufficient and our body may need additional supplementation to maintain its proper functioning. Supplements are not intended to treat diseases, but are of value to supply body with enough essential nutrients and vitamins to improve health when taken properly under doctor's control.

Want to keep your heart healthy and reduce the risk for heart disease? Then supplement your body with these nutrients and pills that are good for your heart health.

Aspirin - an anti-inflammatory drug that helps thin the blood, making it more difficult for the body to form clots. One 80 mg aspirin tablet daily should be taken by anyone who is over 50 and has such risk factors as a family history of heart attack, high total cholesterol level, sedentary lifestyle, previous cardiac event or hypertension.

Omega-3 fatty acid is helpful in balancing blood lipids. Fish oil helps prevent heart attacks because it slows down the build-up of plaques in the arteries, promotes blood vessel dilation, reduces stiffness and improves vascular function. A serving of oily fish like mackerel, salmon and tuna or 1,000 mg in capsule form daily is helpful for people with high triglycerides and those at risk of heart disease.

Vitamin D is essential because it helps the body to properly absorb all the beneficial aspects of zinc, iron, calcium, magnesium and phosphate. Doctors recommend taking this supplement for treating high cholesterol and hypertension - issues that affect blood vessels and overall health. Dairy products, fish oils, beef liver, egg yolks, regular exposure to sunlight or 400 to 800 IU a day will help maintain consistent levels of this vitamin.

Coenzyme Q 10 helps the body generate energy via aerobic cellular respiration and is known to improve muscle function as well as increase heart contractility. It also fights free radicals, promotes arterial health and helps maintain healthy blood pressure and cholesterol levels. 100-200 mg a day is especially beneficial for older individuals, patients with heart failure, hypercholesterolemia and those taking statins.

Niacin or vitamin B3 is naturally involved in carbohydrate and lipid metabolism. It supports healthy cholesterol levels and is a potent vasodilator. It is effective at high doses, which must be taken under doctor's supervision like any other vitamin supplement for heart, and is recommended when there is a genetic predisposition to heart disease, low HDL levels, atherosclerosis issues and previously suffered cardiac arrest.

Richard Johnson is a professional writer who specializes in writing articles about [http://www.cardiogod.com/]heart health.

Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Supplements-That-Are-Good-for-Heart-Health&id=9629457] Supplements That Are Good for Heart Health