The Most Important Nutrients for Heart Health

The Most Important Nutrients for Heart HealthThe Most Important Nutrients for Heart Health

The most important nutrients for heart health include:

  • An antioxidant combination with enough vitamins A, E, C and minerals zinc, selenium, chromium
  • High dosages (50-100mg each) of the B-complex vitamins B1, 3, 5, 6, choline, inositol; 50 microgram of B12 and biotin; 400 microgram of folic acid
  • Magnesium and calcium in therapeutic quantities – 600-800mg calcium and 400-600mg magnesium, both in a food state or amino acid chelated form
  • Co-enzyme Q10 in therapeutic quantities – about 40mg per day
  • Hawthorn (Crateagus oxyacantha) berry in therapeutic quantities – 500-750mg per day
  • Essential fatty acids, especially omega 3 found in cold water fish – 1000 – 2000mg per day
  • Ginkgo biloba in therapeutic quantities – about 40 – 80mg per day
  • Garlic – eat crushed garlic in your food – at least 3 cloves a day, with parsley to alleviate the smell on your breath, or take garlic capsules
  • Phyto (plant) estrogens, e.g. soybeans, chick peas, lentils, linseed

Dr Arien\’s Optimal Health Bundle (Basic 3) will supply all nutritional needs for heart, brain and body; while preventing the nutritional deficiencies associated with prescription drugs (refer below).

Homocystein:

  • Have your
  • homocystein (a sulfur containing amino acid) risk measured together with your regular lipid profile tests
  • High levels mean high risk: accumulated homocystein damage the inner lining of the arteries, and encourages the formation of atherosclerosis
  • A study done at Ohio State University in the USA, showed a link between high homocystein levels and an attitude of hostility and anger – finally science has caught up with the mind-soul-body link. The stress associated with hostility and anger may elevate homocystein levels, accelerating damage to the inside of the arterial walls (atherosclerosis)
  • The treatment is cheap, simple and extremely effective, taken as a daily dose:
    1. 320mg vitamin E
    2. 50mg vitamin B6 
    3. 50 microgram B12
    4. 400 microgram folic acid
  • These nutrients ensure the conversion of homocystein into beneficial antioxidants. People with a genetic tendency for high homocystein levels, often have a deficiency of these nutrients.

Nutritional deficiencies associated with prescription cardiovascular drugs

 

Medication

Potential Nutrient Deficiency with Possible problems or symptoms associated with the deficiency

1. Medicine prescribed for the treatment of high blood pressure

 
 i. Hydralazine
Vasodilators (cause widening of the arteries) that contain hydralazine hydrochloride e.g. Apresoline, Hyperphen, Rolazine
Vitamin B6 – Insomnia, fatigue, ECG (electrocardiogram that measures the electrical activity of the heart) abnormalities, lowered immunity with an increased tendency towards infections, nervous system disorders
Co-enzyme Q10 (Co-Q10) – Lowered energy levels, high blood pressure, congestive heart failure, angina (pain over heart area during exertion), prolapse of the mitral valve in the heart, stroke, heart arhythmia (irregular heart beat), cardiomyopathy (disease of the heart muscle), inflammation of the oral mucosa, lowered immunity
ii. Loop diuretics (increase production of urine in the loop area of the kidney) e.g. Lasix, Unat, Puresis (all containing furosemide)  Calcium – Muscle cramps, heart palpitations, high blood pressure, osteoporosis, tooth decay, insomnia.
Magnesium – Muscle cramps, muscle weakness, heart palpitations, lowered exercise tolerance, insomnia, poor appetite, nausea, vomiting, heart arhythmia
Vitamin B1 & B6 – Weight loss, oedema, changes in heart rhythm, enlarged heart
Vitamin C – Bleeding of the oral mucosa, discolouration and bruising of the skin, poor healing of fractures and wounds, joint pain, loose teeth and tooth decay
Potassium – Muscle weakness, nervous irritability, mental disorientation
Zinc – Poor healing of wounds, dermatitis, inability to taste food, night blindness (due to poor vitamin A and zinc interaction), loss of hair, lowered immunity
iii. Thiazide diuretics e.g. Urirex K, Dichlotride, Moduretic (all that contain hydrochlorthiazide) Magnesium, potassium, zinc, co-enzyme Q10 see above
iv. Potassium sparing diuretics e.g. Aldactone (all that contain spironolactone) Calcium – see above
Folic acid – Anaemia, depression, spina bifida (tissue doesn’t close properly over spinal column) in babies of mothers with folic acid deficiency
Zinc – see above

2. Medicine prescribed for cardiovascular problems

 
i. Glycosides e.g. Lanoxin, that contain digoxin, for heart failure Calcium, magnesium – see above
Phosphorous – Osteoporosis, muscle weakness, cardiomyopathy (disease of the heart muscle), dyspnoea (shortness of breath)
ii. Beta-blockers e.g. Lopressor, Inderal, Tenormin, Sectral, Dilatrend for high blood pressure Co-enzyme Q10 – see above
iii. Anti-arrhythmic drugs e.g. Cordarone, Norpace to treat irregular heart beat Folic acid, Co-Q10, Magnesium – see above
iv. Calcium channel blockers e.g. Norvasc, Adalat, Isoptin, Dynacirc, Plendil Folic acid, Co-Q10, Magnesium – see above

3. Cholesterol lowering drugs

 
Statins or HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors e.g. Lipitor, Prava, Zocor Co Enzyme Q10 – One of the most important nutrients in the body. Protects against the side effects of prescription cholesterol drugs. Increases energy (the heart is the most energy demanding muscle in the body)Magnesium oxide – Maintains normal blood pressure. Vitamin B1, B5, B6 – Supports cardiovascular health and heart function. Assists in the metabolism of protein, fats and carbohydrates.

By supplementing with the correct micronutrients in the form of food supplements, while taking these prescription drugs, you will prevent the deficiencies that might actually prevent the drugs from working efficiently. This is an example of mainstream and complementary medicine working together.

The heart’s language and Mediterranean countries

The countries around the Mediterranean Sea have a daily siesta time after their phyto (=plant) nutrient, fish and olive oil rich lunch as part of their cultural habit – this lowers stress levels by allowing the parasympathetic nervous system to re-balance the sympathetic or stress nervous system response.

Click here for the well known Dr Mercola\’s view on this topic.

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