Whereas conventional drugs aim to suppress and stem symptoms, the natural approach aims at containing and even reversing the underlying causes of cardiovascular disease, such as the beginning of atherosclerosis. Nutritional supplements and dietary interventions are generally based on the principles that aim at preventative measures too.
Diet and lifestyle changes and correct nutritional supplementation are categorically the most important tools in the natural treatment of cardiovascular disease.
For example…atherosclerosis can be prevented by developing strong artery walls, by controlling the factors that cause injuries to them and by minimizing the level of fats, lipoproteins, cholesterol and homocysteine build up. All of these areas can be potentially controlled and reversed by nutritional and supplementation methods, where the following ingredients may benefit.
| Betaine HCL | Betaine hydrochloride is obtained from an alkaloid that plays an important role in the health of the cardiovascular system and the liver. Studies have suggested that Betaine helps to reduce potentially toxic levels of homocysteine (a naturally occurring amino acid that can be harmful to blood vessels and can contribute to the development of health problems associated with poor heart function). Betaine helps the body extract minerals from foods through the digestive process, and without enough stomach acid, mineral depletion can result, leading to a variety of ailments. Betaine functions synergistically with S-adenosylmethionine (SAM-e), folic acid and vitamins B6 and B12, to break down homocysteine. |
| L-Arginine HCL | The body also uses arginine to make nitric oxide (NO), a substance that relaxes blood vessels and so has been proposed as a treatment for various cardiovascular diseases, including congestive heart failure. In studies Arginine has shown potential benefit for use after a heart attack to aid recovery. People with advanced hardening of the arteries, or atherosclerosis, often have difficulty walking due to lack of blood flow to the legs (intermittent claudication). Significant doses of Arginine have proven in studies to improve this condition. Studies with angina have also found that treatment with Arginine can improve exercise tolerance. |
| L-Proline |
L-Proline and L-Lysine are two natural amino acids that show promise in helping to prevent fatty deposits in blood vessels. Researchers have recently identified a particle associated with LDL cholesterol which is believed to cause plaque development. L-Proline and L-Lysine tend to form a barrier-like layer around the particle, helping to push it away from blood vessel walls. |
| N-Acetyl L-Cysteine | NAC is a more stable, more bioavailable form of the amino acid cysteine that acts as an antioxidant and a precursor to glutathione (GSH), a critical antioxidant. NAC can stimulate GSH synthesis, enhance glutathione-s-transferase activity, promote detoxification and act as an antioxidant. These benefits have clinical applications in heart disease treatment and prevention. NAC inhibits heart damage by preventing LDL cholesterol from being oxidized, by reducing plasma homocysteine levels and by free-radical quenching effects. NAC protects against ischaemic and reperfusion damage. It also potentiates the coronary dilating and anti-platelet effects of nitroglycerine. |
| Bromelain | Bromelain may help breakdown amyloid deposits (amyloid is a protein-like substance that can build up and cause damage to many organs in the body such as the kidneys, liver, or heart). Bromelain inhibits the aggregation (clumping) of platelets, and so it has shown to be of good benefit in helping to prevent heart disease caused by plaque formation. |
| Ginkgo biloba | Ginkgo flavone glycosides (primarily quercetin, kaempferol, and isorhamnetin) are responsible for its antioxidant activity and may help to inhibit platelet aggregation. These two actions may help prevent circulatory diseases, such as atherosclerosis, and support the brain and central nervous system. Laboratory studies have shown that Ginkgo may improve blood circulation by dilating blood vessels. |
| Grape Seed extract | Grape Seed Extract which is high in Oligomeric Proanthocyanidins (OPC’s or PCO’s) is powerful antioxidant that can reduce the damage done by free radicals, strengthen and repair connective tissue, and promote enzyme activity. PCO extracts have been scientifically studied to enhance capillary strength and vascular function and enhance immune resistance. PCO has been shown to be 50 times more potent than vitamin E in helping to prevent the stickiness of blood platelets that can lead to blood clots and strokes. |
| Green Tea | Green Tea contributes towards heart health through its role as gentle stimulant to the heart and circulatory system, by helping to strengthen and keep blood vessel walls soft, by the action of phenols inhibiting the absorption of cholesterol in the digestive tract, and by decreasing the blood’s tendency to form clots. |
| Hawthorne Berry | Hawthorn berries are one of the most valuable medicinal herbs used in the treatment of congestive heart failure and circulatory disorders for many years. They help to increase blood flow to the heart and brain, protects the heart from irregular beats, enhances the strength of the heart’s contractions and mildly lowers blood pressure. Compounds in hawthorn also help to protect the heart against oxygen deprivation, a condition that often leads to angina, a disease marked by intense chest pain. Hawthorn is rich in bioflavonoids, which relax and dilate the arteries. These compounds are powerful antioxidants that help increase the flow of blood and oxygen to the heart. The bioflavonoids give strength to the walls of blood vessels and improve blood flow. Components in hawthorn have also been shown to lower cholesterol, and the amount of plaque in arteries. |
| Policosanol | Policosanol contains naturally occurring compounds extracted from the waxy coating of the stems and leaves of sugar cane. Clinical trials have proven that Policosanol can reduce total cholesterol levels, reduce LDLcholesterol levels and increase HDL cholesterol, reduce LDL /HDL cholesterol ratios. Policosanol also helps to inhibit platelet aggregation. |
| Iron (Reduced) | Iron is necessary for the production of hemoglobin. The function and synthesis of hemoglobin, which carries most of the oxygen in the blood, is dependent on iron. Iron-deficiency can lead to decreased production of hemoglobin and a microcytic, hypochromic anemia. Iron is an essential trace mineral in human nutrition. It is involved in the entire process of respiration, including oxygen transport and electron transport. Iron overload disorders can lead to coronary heart disease and congestive heart failure, among other things. |
| Magnesium ascorbate | Research indicates magnesium deficiency to potentially be a factor in the development of atherosclerosis and coronary artery disease. Several clinical studies indicate that maintenance of adequate red blood cell magnesium levels may be key in fighting these problems. |
| Alpha Lipoic Acid | Vitamin E and alpha-lipoic acid are potent antioxidants with the potential to preventing blood vessel cell death. |
| Butchers broom | The steroidal saponins contained within Butcher’s broom are thought to be responsible for the medicinal actions. These constituents are reported to improve the strength and tone of the veins and act as mild diuretics for detoxification. They may also lead to constriction of the veins, which helps blood return from the extremities. Butcher’s broom extracts also exert a mild anti-inflammatory effect. Chemicals in butcher’s broom attach to and strengthen certain parts of blood vessels. As a result, butcher’s broom tightens blood vessels, which helps to keep blood circulating throughout the body. It also acts to improve the flexibility of blood vessel walls. |
| Hesperidin | In trials Hesperidin has reduced blood pressure values and protected the heart from damage by increasing folate levels and reducing homeocysteine concentrations. It has been recommended for use in the treatment of vascular disorders like hypertension, and to support capillary health and combat varicose veins. |
| Rutin and Quercetin | Rutin is a supplement used to treat poor blood circulation, hemorrhoids, and Meniere’s disease. It may also be used to treat varicose veins or skin bruising. Quercetin is a flavonoid that occurs in plants as glycosides, such as rutin (quercetin rutinoside) in tea. Quercetin and Rutin are used for blood vessel protection. Rutin inhibits platelet aggregation, making the blood thinner and improve circulation. It also has strong antioxidant properties. It is important because it strengthens capillaries and can help people who bruise or bleed easily. |
| SAMe | People with liver or heart disease, or Alzheimer’s disease have been shown to have low levels of SAMe in the blood. People who are concerned about heart or artery disease due to elevated blood levels of homocysteine (HCy) can note SAMe as beneficial. SAMe helps to transport toxic levels to the detoxifiers cysteine, N-Acetylcysteine, glutathione and taurine. |
| Glutathione | The endothelial cells that line the blood vessels are arranged in a single, attenuated layer, and are vulnerable to oxidative challenge. They are continually exposed to oxidants that reach the circulation. Atherosclerosis appears linked to oxidative damage to the vessel wall, for example. Oxidative stress within atherosclerotic arteries depletes Glutathione and other antioxidants causing inflammation. Glutathione can produce coronary vasodilatation by normalizing prostaglandin synthesis. Reduced levels of Glutathione have been found in the platelets of patients with acute myocardial infarction. |
| Folic acid | Folic acid deficiency has been clearly linked to an elevated level of homocysteine (in turn linked to cardiovascular disease). Folic acid has been shown to effectively lower levels of an amino acid in the blood called homocysteine. “By increasing folic acid intake and thus decreasing homocysteine, the researchers say the risk of heart disease would drop by 16%, blood clots in the legs by 25%, and stroke by 24%.” (BMJ) |
| Choline bitartrate | Choline Bitartrate prevents fats from accumulating in liver. Deficiency symptoms include fatty deposits in the liver, high blood pressure and cirrhosis. Choline aids in emulsifying cholesterol so it doesn’t settle on the arterial walls. Choline helps to build cell membranes and move fats and nutrients between cells. It is used to help increase good, and reduces bad cholesterol. |
| Vitamin B6 | Low dietary intake of vitamin B6 is associated with higher risk of having heart disease due to the fact that vitamin B6, together with vitamin B9 (folic acid) and vitamin B12, help to keep homocysteine levels under control. |
| Vitamin C | Vitamin C’s connection with lipoprotein-a, a substance whose levels in the blood have been linked to cardiovascular disease, have promoted its necessity in helping to prevent heart conditions. Lipoprotein-a is also a major component of arterial plaque. Vitamin C therefore serves to strengthen blood vessel walls. |
| Vitamin B12 | Evidence suggests that folic acid and vitamin B12 work together to protect the heart against cardiovascular disease, helping to also inhibit homocysteine levels. Vitamin B12 also helps to support the nerve cells. |
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