Heart disease is seen as a male problem because men tend to die earlier from heart disease than women. In men aged 50-60 years heart disease is much more common, whereas by the age of 65-70, men and women appear to suffer equally. This is probably due to women being protected by oestrogen, which protects against heart disease.
Heart disease is quite a loose expression and is used as an “umbrella” term for a range of problems associated with the heart itself, the arteries supplying the blood to the heart and the valves in the heart that ensure the correct flow of blood. However, it is most commonly used to refer to atherosclerosis –hardening of the arteries - the most common cause of heart disease.
This is a build up of plaque (fatty deposits) within the artery walls that hinder the flow of blood. This, in turn, leads to an insufficient supply of oxygen to the heart and may result in a heart attack.
Major causes of heart disease are:
- High cholesterol
- High blood pressure
- Obesity
- Smoking
- Lack of exercise
- Diabetes
- Stress
Useful supplements:
Co-enzyme Q10 speeds up the metabolic process in conjunction with enzymes - hence the name. It is particularly abundant in the cells of the heart, where energy is required to keep the heart beating. Research has shown that in over 50% of cases of heart disease, patients have a deficiency of Co-enzyme Q10.
Fish oils have been shown to decrease risk of arrhythmias, which can lead to sudden cardiac death, decrease triglyceride levels, decrease growth rate of atherosclerotic plaque and lower blood pressure (slightly). This is due to the high concentration of the two most potent forms of Omega 3 – EPA and DHA.
Lecithin protects against arterial damage by breaking up fatty deposits. Lecithin helps prevent the conversion of LDL (“bad” cholesterol) into its more dangerous, artery- damaging form. Lecithin may also lower the total cholesterol.
Magnesium supplements may reduce total cholesterol, increase the beneficial HDL (“good” cholesterol) and prevent unnecessary "clumping" in the blood that can trigger a heart attack. The mineral may also reduce the symptoms of angina or may prevent future attacks.
In studies of people actually having a heart attack, injections of magnesium were found to cut the death rate by 25%.
For best absorption, calcium, magnesium and Vitamin B-6 should be taken together.
Selenium acts as an antioxidant and so prevents cells against free radical damage caused by environmental and dietary toxins. Selenium also helps to thin the blood and so help prevent blood clots forming.
Recent studies have shown that higher selenium levels in the blood lead to a considerably lower risk of heart disease
Vitamin B6 helps the body to process homocysteine – a compound that has been linked to higher risk of heart disease and can damage artery linings. B6 may also help to prevent blood clots forming and help to keep arteries supple.
Vitamin B12 also helps with the body’s processing of homocysteine and works in conjunction with vitamin B6. B12 may be deficient in vegans, alcoholics or people with bacterial or parasitic infections. B12 deficiency may be masked if folic acid intake is inadequate.
Vitamin C helps to convert cholesterol into bile acids, thus preventing it building up in the arteries. It also helps to keep the artery walls healthy by keeping them strong and helping to prevent their hardening.
Low levels of this vitamin are linked to heart attacks and angina pain. Research shows that the higher the level of vitamin C, the lower the pain from angina.
All of the information on this website - plus much more - is available to download in my new book
"The Plain English Guide To Vitamins, Minerals and Supplements"
(Selling elsewhere on the net at $49 {that's about £25}, but available by clicking here for only £9.97 {about $20}) |
