Natural Health Care and the Heart

Nutrition is a vital part of good heart health. While much focus is placed on
dietary fats, antioxidants, vitamins and nutraceuticals can help to improve
cardiovascular health. Antioxidants are cardioprotective. Atherosclerotic
plaques are formed long before the diagnosis of cardiovascular disease is made.
Antioxidant vitamins protect against plaque formation, according to a study
published in American Journal of Clinical Nutrition (August, 2002). Antioxidants
can also help protect against high blood pressure.

In the American Heart Association Journal, Circulation (November, 2002), the benefit of omega-3 fatty acids in the diet is discussed. Omega-3 fatty acids make the blood less likely
to form clots that cause heart attack as well as protect against irregular
heartbeats that can cause sudden cardiac death.

In the journal, Cardiovascular Reviews and Reports, (volume 4, number 8, 8/18/03 Role of
Nutriceutical Agents in Cardiovascular Diseases: An Update -- Part I), a number
of natural health strategies are discussed. Nitric oxide helps to relax and to
protect the lining of the arteries. The amino acid, arginine helps with the
production of nitric oxide. The article makes note of a few small studies that
show the benefit of L-arginine supplementation, which improves coronary blood
flow, decreases inflammatory chemicals, and improves angina symptoms. It has
even shown to be beneficial to patients suffering from congestive heart
failure.