What does the heart do?
The heart is a powerful muscle that pumps blood throughout the body, delivering oxygen and nutrients to your organs and tissues.
Keeping the heart and blood vessels healthy can reduce the risk of high blood pressure, heart attack, stroke and other cardiovascular problems.
What can affect heart health?
Some important factors include:
- High blood pressure
- High LDL cholesterol and triglycerides
- High blood sugar or diabetes
- Smoking
- Excess body weight
- Physical inactivity
- Poor diet
- Chronic stress and inadequate sleep
- Family history and increasing age
Key nutrients for heart health
Omega-3 fatty acids
Omega-3s, especially EPA and DHA, can help lower triglycerides and support normal cardiovascular function.
Food sources: sardines, salmon, mackerel and other oily fish.
If oily fish is rarely on your plate, a concentrated fish oil such as our Mega EPA/DHA Omega-3 is one way to close the gap.
Magnesium
Magnesium supports normal heart rhythm, blood vessel relaxation, muscle function and healthy blood pressure regulation.
Food sources: leafy vegetables, beans, nuts, seeds and whole grains.
Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10)
CoQ10 is involved in producing energy inside cells, including heart muscle cells. The body naturally produces it, but levels may decline with age and can be reduced by some cholesterol-lowering medicines such as statins.
Potassium
Potassium helps regulate fluid balance, nerve signals, heart function and blood pressure.
Food sources: avocado, beans, vegetables, fruits and potatoes.
For people with kidney disease or on certain medications, potassium supplements should only be used under medical guidance.
Soluble fibre
Soluble fibre can help reduce LDL ("bad") cholesterol and support blood sugar and digestive health.
Food sources: oats, beans, lentils, fruits, vegetables and psyllium.
Other helpful foods and nutrients
Heart-healthy eating should also provide antioxidants, polyphenols, folate and other micronutrients through vegetables, fruits, legumes, nuts, seeds and whole foods.
Garlic can also be part of a heart-healthy diet, although supplements should not replace prescribed blood-pressure or cholesterol treatment.
Lifestyle comes first
Supplements alone cannot protect the heart. Focus on regular exercise, a healthy weight, adequate sleep, stress management and avoiding smoking — and on limiting highly processed foods while keeping blood pressure, cholesterol and blood sugar under control.
These products are nutritional supplements intended to support general wellness and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. This article is general education, not medical advice. Please speak to your doctor or pharmacist about your own circumstances.
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