Find out ‘The 4 Top Best and Worst Supplements for Heart Health’ According to a recent meta-analysis that was published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology, some supplements are more effective than others at reducing the risk of heart disease.
They looked at 27 different kinds and found some that decreased the risk of cardiovascular issues including heart attacks and stroke, as well as some that provided no benefit or even had a harmful impact.
It may be time to take a second look at your daily supplements. Your heart and your wallet will thank you.Elena Brovko/iStock; Getty Images; Everyday Health
According to the lead researcher Simin Liu, MD, MPH, professor of epidemiology and medicine at Brown University, in a news release, this analysis is the first thorough, evidence-based map evaluating the potential impacts of micronutrient supplementation on outcomes related to heart health. Our study emphasizes the value of a variety of micronutrients and the harmony between health benefits and hazards, the author stated
The Top 4 Best and Worst Supplements for Heart Health:
Omega-3 Fatty Acids, Folic Acid, and CoQ10 Had the Strongest Evidence of Heart Benefits
The following supplements showed the strongest evidence of heart benefits in the research’s randomized controlled intervention trials:
- Fish oil contains omega-3 fatty acids, which reduced cardiovascular disease mortality.
- Folic acid reduced the risk of stroke.
CoQ10, also known as coenzyme Q10, is a drug that reduced mortality from all causes (death)
Omega-6 fatty acids, L-arginine, L-citrulline, vitamin D, magnesium, zinc, alpha-lipoic acid, melatonin, catechin, curcumin, flavanol, genistein, and quercetin were among supplements with indications of lowering cardiovascular risk.
Useless and Potentially Harmful Supplements for Heart Health
The study discovered that some supplements didn’t have any positive effects on the heart. Selenium, vitamin E, and vitamin C had no impact on the long-term outcomes of cardiovascular disease (or the risk of type 2 diabetes).
One conclusion that is particularly alarming is that beta-carotene supplements were linked to an increase in mortality from all causes.
The authors of the study urged large, superior interventional trials to look into the long-term effects of certain micronutrients.
Finding the ideal balance of micronutrients is crucial because not all of them are advantageous and some may even have negative consequences, according to Liu.
Antioxidant Supplements Are Not Equivalent to Antioxidant-Rich Foods
Because these nutrients work to lower “oxidative stress,” a recognized factor in many types of cardiovascular disease, antioxidant supplements are believed to have an impact on heart health. The most recent American Heart Association dietary guidelines are compatible with regimens like the Mediterranean diet and Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension, which emphasize foods that are naturally high in antioxidants.
The authors note that one reason why supplements haven’t been widely used in preventive cardiology is that the components in supplements aren’t exactly the same as those in foods, and the outcomes from prior research looking at the advantages of antioxidant supplementation have been inconsistent.
Prior to now, Dr. Liu noted, the majority of research on micronutrient supplementation has concentrated on the health impacts of a single vitamin, mineral, or a few at a time. “We chose to adopt a thorough and methodical strategy to review all the publically available and accessible research reporting all micronutrients, including phytochemicals and antioxidant supplements, and their impact on cardiovascular risk factors as well as numerous cardiovascular illnesses.”
Interested in Taking Supplements? Check with Your Doctor First
Elizabeth Bradley, MD, medical director of the Cleveland Clinic Center for Functional Medicine in Ohio, who was not involved in this study, advises patients to speak with their doctor before taking supplements.
If your doctor advises taking an omega-3 fish oil supplement, be aware that the quality of various kinds can vary. There may be things to check for on labels that your provider can advise you on. Or you can look up several companies on unbiased websites like ConsumerLab.com, which rates and reviews supplements.
