4 Best Vitamins to Support Heart Health and Vascular Health

Some say the heart is the "heart" of the body. Others say that's a tautology. We say taking care of your heart and vascular health is one of the most important things you can do, and here at Team Nature Made®, we want to help! Many things, including diet, lifestyle, and several specific nutrients, influence the heart. Knowing what foods to eat, what lifestyle choices to make and avoid, and how to ensure your heart is getting the nutrient support it needs can help you support your heart and vascular health! Let's get into our specialty: supplements and essential vitamins for heart health.

 

Essential Vitamins & Supplements for Heart Health and Vascular Health

CoQ10

What is CoQ10? More than just a strange-looking collection of letters and numbers, CoQ10 is a shortened form of Coenzyme Q-10, also known as Ubiquinone.[1] CoQ10 is an organic compound found in most human cells, and it is most highly concentrated in organs that require high rates of metabolic activity; these are organs like the kidney, liver, and (you may have seen this one coming) the heart. CoQ10 supports cellular energy production in these organs with high energy needs and functions as an antioxidant to help protect cells from oxidative stress. Because of the importance of CoQ10 in high-energy organs, adequate levels of CoQ10 can help support heart function and cardiovascular health. CoQ10 levels decrease with age, and supplementation may be important for people taking cholesterol-lowering statin drugs, which can inhibit CoQ10 production in the body. Nature Made® CoQ10 100 mg Softgels can help replenish this important nutrient.♦†

 

Magnesium

Magnesium is an essential mineral you can find in your diet in whole grains, dark green leafy vegetables, nuts, and beans. This mineral comes in a variety of forms, and they each have their own benefits! Nature Made® High Absorption Magnesium Glycinate Capsules provide 100% chelated Magnesium Glycinate, which has better absorption and GI tolerance than other Magnesium supplement forms. Magnesium helps support healthy cardiovascular function by transporting ions in nerve conduction and muscle contraction.[2] That means it gets the signals from your brain all around your body, including your heart!†

 

Potassium

Do you want to know what's so good about Potassium? K, I'll tell you! Potassium is an essential nutrient that supports heart function by helping control the heart muscle's activity. Regular fruit and vegetable intake is the best way to get Potassium into your diet. The classic and most well-known source of Potassium is the humble banana, but there are other options too! Dried apricots, cooked lentils, and prunes can also serve as sources of Potassium in your diet, so you can get a variety of flavors while providing your body with essential nutrients.[3] Our Nature Made® Potassium Gluconate Tablets contain 90 mg of Potassium to help support heart function.†

 

Omega-3 Fatty Acids

Omega-3 Fatty Acids EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) and DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) are long-chain Omega-3s found in fish oil sources. Tiny microalgae floating in the ocean produce these Fatty Acids, and as fish eat these algae, these acids build up in the tissues of fatty fish like salmon, tuna, and sardines! That's one reason it's helpful to get fatty fish in your diet! Omega-3 Fatty Acids EPA and DHA help support a healthy heart, and supportive but not conclusive research shows that consumption of EPA and DHA Omega-3 Fatty Acids may reduce the risk of coronary heart disease. For an Omega 3 supplement source of these heart-healthy fatty acids, check out Nature Made® Fish Oil Softgels or Superior Absorption** Krill Oil Softgels sourced from wild-caught crustacean shellfish.†

 

The Impact of Lifestyle Choices on Heart Health

Having a balanced diet can help support your heart! The American Heart Association makes these key suggestions:[4]

• Adjust your food intake and exercise to maintain a healthy body weight.
• Include a healthy helping of different fruits and vegetables in your diet.
• Go for whole-grain foods.
• Prefer plant-based or fish proteins, choosing low-fat dairy or meats when possible.
• Avoid ultra-processed foods.
• Minimize soda intake and other drinks with added sugars.
• Limit salt in food preparation.
• Limit consumption of alcohol.

These dietary tips can help you support your heart! For other tips, check out our blog on how to live a healthy lifestyle.

 

Exercise and Its Benefits for Cardiovascular System

Regular exercise is another way you can support your heart! Engaging in moderate or vigorous exercise regularly (stuff that gets your heart pumping) works out and strengthens your heart. Your heart is a muscle like any other, and regular exercise can help get your heart in shape. A strong heart helps pump blood through your lungs and reach the rest of your body, giving your muscles more blood and oxygen to work with![5]

 

The Role of Stress Management and Sleep in Heart Health

A lack of consistent sleep can affect your blood pressure levels. Sleeping lowers your blood pressure, so lacking regular sleep keeps your blood pressure higher for longer, which is not so good for your heart. Missing out on sleep can also increase your stress levels.[6]

Nature Made® Wellblends™ Sleep & Recover™ Gummies blend Magnesium, Melatonin, and L-theanine to support your restful sleep and help your body's natural recovery. Melatonin helps you to fall asleep faster so you can wake up refreshed. L-theanine helps you to unwind by relaxing your mind, and Magnesium helps relax the body.†

 

How to Incorporate Heart-Healthy Nutrients into Your Diet

The best way to get heart-healthy nutrients is by eating a nutrient-rich diet! Many dark, leafy greens like spinach and kale are high in Magnesium. One of the easiest ways to include these in your diet is by dropping them into a tasty fruit and veggie smoothie! Eating regular servings of fish is healthy for many reasons, not the least of which is the heart-healthy Omega-3 Fatty Acids. Roasting a little salmon and mixing it into a nice salad gives your greens a pop of savory flavor and a source of healthy protein!

 

When to Consider Supplements for Heart Health

If you would like to support your diet with heart-healthy nutrients, supplementation may help you close possible nutrient gaps. We hope this guide helped you understand what vitamins are good for the heart. Nature Made® offers a variety of Heart Health Supplements formulated to suit your individual needs. If you’re looking to start a supplement routine, our Advanced Multivitamins provide a wide range of support. Made with high-quality ingredients, Nature Made is the #1 Pharmacist Recommended Vitamin & Supplement Brand.*

 

 

♦ CoQ10 is not intended to serve as a replacement for statin drug therapy.

** Superior omega-3 fatty acid (EPA + DHA) absorption compared to an equal amount of EPA + DHA from regular triglyceride fish oil.

* Based on a survey of pharmacists who recommend branded vitamins & supplements.

 

These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

 

References

1. Saini R. Coenzyme Q10: The essential nutrient. J Pharm Bioallied Sci. 2011;3(3):466-467. doi:10.4103/0975-7406.84471
2. National Institutes of Health. Office of Dietary Supplements - Magnesium. National Institutes of Health. Published 2016. https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Magnesium-HealthProfessional/
3. National Institutes of Health. Office of Dietary Supplements - Potassium. Nih.gov. Published June 2, 2022. https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Potassium-HealthProfessional/
4. Lichtenstein AH, Appel LJ, Vadiveloo M, et al. 2021 Dietary Guidance to Improve Cardiovascular Health: A Scientific Statement From the American Heart Association. Circulation. 2021;144(23). doi:https://doi.org/10.1161/cir.0000000000001031
5. National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. Physical Activity and Your Heart - Benefits | NHLBI, NIH. www.nhlbi.nih.gov. Published March 24, 2022. https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/heart/physical-activity/benefits
6. How Does Sleep Affect Your Heart Health? Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Published January 4, 2021. https://www.cdc.gov/bloodpressure/sleep.htm