Heart Health, Cholesterol and Blood Pressure
Please click to view WARNINGS and NOTES listed for some supplements.
All supplements are taken at your own risk. Supplement information is not intended in any way as a prescription or diagnosis, and is not a substitute for the advice of a doctor or other suitably qualified health professional. If you have a medical condition, or think you may have, please seek medical advice.
General Heart and Arterial Health, consider Omega 3 Oils, Co-Q10, Vit. E, Hawthorn, Garlic, Vit. B and TMG, Magnesium, Plant Sterols
Blood Pressure, have a look at Omega 3 Oils, Co-Q10, Hawthorn, Garlic, Magnesium
Cholesterol, please read Omega 3 Oils, Co-Q10, Vit. E, Vit. B and TMG, Hawthorn, Garlic, Plant Sterols
Clotting tendency, evidence for Omega 3 Oils, Garlic. If you take Warfarin or similar, you must note all WARNINGS for these and other supplements.
ANTI-OXIDANTS
Co-Enzyme Q10 (CoQ10)
CoQ10 is an anti-oxidant made naturally in our bodies, but amounts decline with age. It protects LDL cholesterol from oxidising, reducing damage to arteries including coronary arteries. Studies show positive results in lowering high blood pressure. CoQ10 is vital in cell energy production throughout the body, and is essential for the healthy function of the hard-working heart muscles. CoQ10 is helpful to those taking statins, tricyclic anti-depressants and some beta-blockers, as these can block natural CoQ10 production. There are no restrictions on long-term use. You may notice improvements in your general energy.
Warnings: none
- Viridian CoQ10 30mg - Click here to go to the Viridian page
Vitamin E
An important anti-oxidant, which protects LDL cholesterol from oxidising, reduces damage to arteries including coronary arteries, and helps protect against heart disease and stroke. Vitamin E works best in combination with vitamin C. If you are new to vitamin E, we recommend starting at 100iu. increasing if necessary after a month. Vitamin E in its natural form is called d-alpha tocopherol.
Warnings: A1
- Higher Nature TruFood Natural Vitamin E - Click here to go to the Higher Nature page
(A particularly easy to absorb form of d-alpha tocopherol with mixed tocopherols .
May be equivalent to twice the dose of ordinary vit. E) - Viridian Natural Vitamin E 400iu - Click here to go to the Viridian page
HERBS
Hawthorn
Hawthorn berry contains flavonoids (plants compounds) called anthocyanidins that can protect and relax the arteries and strengthen the heartbeat. Traditionally used in many countries of the world for a range of cardiovascular problems, including hypertension, angina, cholesterol, arterial disease, arrhythmias and weak heart. Hawthorn can normalise blood pressure, carrying no risk of lowering it excessively, and is safe for long-term use. It may take 2-3 weeks to take effect, and 2 months for maximum benefit.
Warnings: C1
- Biohealth Hawthorn 450mg - Click here to go to the BioHealth page
- Viridian Hawthorn 350mg* - Click here to go to the Viridian page
- Bioforce Crataegus Tincture - Click here to go to the Bioforce page
Garlic
Garlic is probably the most well known natural aid to a healthy heart and circulatory system. It lowers LDL cholesterol and triglycerides, and reduces blood pressure and the tendency for clots to form. It also has benefits for the immune system. We recommend a high potency garlic rather than the usual small garlic pearls.
Warnings: A1
- Higher Nature Supergar 500mg - Click here to go to the Higher Nature page
(Contains very high amounts of allicin and alliin. 8000 ppm allicin and 20,000 ppm alliin per
Capsule. Specially coated to reduce odour and after-taste.)
Garlic and Hawthorn combinations
Bional’s mix contains 120mg odourless garlic plus 60mg hawthorn, and 60mg mistletoe, with a little vitamin E.
Bioforce’s mix contains 150 mg garlic, 50mg hawthorn, and 20mg passiflora.
These mixtures are a convenient way of taking these herbs together. They have many benefits for the circulatory system, for more info please see Garlic and Hawthorn listed above. Mistletoe and Passiflora are both traditional calming herbs.
Warnings: A1 C1
- Bional - Garlic Hawthorn and Mistletoe - Click here to go to the Bional page
- Bioforce - Hawthorn-Garlic Complex - Click here to go to the Bioforce page
REDUCING HOMOCYSTEINE
Vitamin B Complex
B Complex contains all the different B vitamins, which work best in combination. It is essential to reduce levels of homocysteine. Homocysteine is a toxic amino acid produced in our bodies by the incomplete breakdown of excess protein, and is a major risk factor for heart disease and Alzheimer’s disease. B6, B12 and Folic Acid are especially helpful in maintaining healthy homocysteine levels.
In studies, B3 helps lower cholesterol. B vitamins are also involved in nerve health and energy production. Some B vitamins are depleted by alcohol, the drug metformin, or oral contraceptives.
Warnings: D1 B2 C2
- Viridian B Complex with magnesium ascorbate - Click here to go to the Viridian page
Known as ‘stress formula’, this is a good B complex also containing vitamin C in the form of Magnesium Ascorbate.
TMG
Tri-Methyl Glycine, derived from beetroot, is even more effective than B vitamins in lowering homocysteine levels (see B Complex above), and can be effective in cases where B vitamins are not. TMG also protects against LDL cholesterol, helps raise HDL cholesterol, and helps protect the liver from the effects of excess alcohol.
Warnings: none
- Higher Nature TMG 500mg - Click here to go to the Higher Nature page
OTHER PRODUCTS
Magnesium
Magnesium has been called ‘nature’s calcium-channel blocker’. It regulates calcium entering heart and muscle cells. Studies show magnesium improves heart function and can lower blood pressure, and can relieve symptoms of cramps and intermittent claudication ( a blood vessel condition common in smokers).
Low magnesium levels are linked with increased migraines. Magnesium is also used for PMS with irritability or anxiety, and can help mood swings. Magnesium is essential for bone health.
Vitamin B6 may be included. B6 reduces homocysteine, which is beneficial to heart health, see B-complex above. B6 also raises cellular magnesium levels and help lift depression.
Warnings: S1
- Viridian Magnesium with B6 - Click here to go to the Viridian page
- Biohealth Extra Magnesium 100mg - Click here to go to the BioHealth page
Plant Sterols
These products contain beta-sitosterol and other related substances. Fruits and vegetables naturally contain sterols, but our intake may not be enough, so a supplement is immensely useful. Sterols directly benefit heart health and cholesterol levels. Sterols can help block the absorption of dietary cholesterol.
Sterols are also useful for a wide range of conditions: enlarged prostate (BPH), immune system problems, infections including viral, allergies including respiratory, hay fever and sinusitis. There is research evidence to support their use in BPH and many other conditions.
Plant sterols do not stimulate the immune system, they modulate it, ie. balance it, hence sterols can be used by those with auto-immune conditions (eg. rheumatoid arthritis), or those taking drugs which compromise the immune system. They also act as anti-inflammatories.
If used to help manage cholesterol, these products should be taken with meals.
Warnings: M1 N1 P1 Q1 H2
- Moducare - Click here to go to the moducare page
(Contains 60mg sterols and 0.6mg sterolins per cap.)
Footnotes: * Viridian herbal products contain a mixture of standardised extract and whole herb. The measure in milligrams combines these.
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