Cardiovascular Disease (CVD) incorporates all the diseases of the heart and circulation, including coronary heart disease and stroke, and statistics show that it is the biggest killer in the UK. Risk factors include smoking, drinking alcohol, a poor diet, a lack of physical activity, obesity, hypertension, high cholesterol and diabetes. In order to lower your risk of heat disease and build a healthy heart, it is important to follow a healthy lifestyle including sensible diet, regular exercise and good supplementation.

HEART HEALTH TIPS

Firstly, if you smoke, it is essential that you stop. The chemicals in tobacco can damage your heart and blood vessels, leading to aetherosclerosis (narrowing of the arteries) which can in turn lead to a heart attack. Aim to include 30 minutes of aerobic exercise into your daily routine for at least five days of the week. Physical activity will help to keep your weight at a healthy level and may reduce your chances of developing other conditions that could put your heart under strain, such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol and diabetes. Follow a healthy diet and your heart will fats completely from your diet — these are found in processed and deep-fried fast foods, bakery products and margarines. Increase your intake of dark leafy vegetables, nuts and omega-3 fatty acids from fish and olive oil Only drink alcohol in moderation — no more than two drinks a day for men, and one a day for women.

Let’s take a look at some supplements that are beneficial for heart health.

SERRAPEPTASE

Serrapeptase is a multi-functional proteolytic enzyme derived from silkworms which dissolves non-living tissues such as fibrin, plaque, blood clots, cysts and inflammation in all forms — without harming living tissue. It has been found to help with reducing swelling¹ and inflammation which is why it is increasingly being used to support heart health — in particular atherosclerosis. The German physician, Dr Hans Nieper, reportedly had great success using Serrapeptase to help patients with heart disease and arterial blockage.

NATTOKINASE

Nattokinase is a potent anti-clotting enzyme that is extracted from the traditional Japanese soy food, ‘natto’ (boiled soybeans that have been fermented with a bacterium called Bacillus natto). Research has shown that Nattokinase helps to dissolve blood clots ² and reduces high blood pressure ³. The way in which it works is that it breaks down fibrin, a protein involved in blood clotting. In the heart, blood clots cause a blockage in the flow of blood to the muscle tissue which can result in the oxygen supply to that tissue being cut off, resulting in angina and heart attacks. Clots in the chambers of the heart can mobilise to the brain where they can also block blood and oxygen from reaching necessary areas, resulting in a stroke.

MAGNESIUM

Magnesium is an important mineral that plays a key role in the prevention of cardiovascular disease. It helps to prevent angina by keeping the coronary arteries Ultra pure, concentrated from having spasms, it regulates heart genuine Zechstein rhythm by co-ordinating the activity of the magnesium chloride is heart muscle and the nerves that initiate blended with MSM, for the heartbeat and it controls high blood superior absorption. pressure by relaxing the muscles that control the blood vessels and allowing the blood to flow more freely.

COENZYME Q10

Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) is an essential nutrient which is made in the body and found in high amounts in the body’s main organs, with the highest concentration being in the heart. Research has shown that CoQ10 can help to improve blood pressure and its antioxidant activity can help to combat lipid peroxidation which contributes to the development of atherosclerosis.

Sources

1. Esch P. M., Gerngross H and Fabian, A (1989) Reduction of post operative swelling. Objective measurement of swelling of the upper ankle joint in treatment with serrapeptsse – a prospective study. Fortschr Med  107(4):67-8; pp. 71-2.
2. Sumi H. et OL (1990) Enhancement of the fibrinolytic activity in plasma by oral administration of nattokinase Acta haematol 84: pp. 139—43.
3. Maruyama, M, and Sumij (1995) H. Effect of Natto Diet on Blood Pressur JTTAS
4. Digiesi, Cantini, E Oradei, A., Bisi, Guarino, G C, Brocchi, A. Bellandi, F. Mancini. M and Littarru, G. P (1994) Coenzyme QIO in essential hypertension. Molecular Aspects of Medicine 15 (1) pp. 257—263.
5. Thomas, S R. Neuzil J. and Stocker, R (1997) Inhibition of LDL oxidation by ubiquinol-10. A protective mechanism for coenzyme Q in atherogenesis? Molecular Aspects Of Medicine (18) 1: pp 85—103