Lisa Nelson RD #9: Vitamin D Deficiency Symptoms – Is there a connection between vitamin D and heart disease? What level vitamin D should individuals maintain to prevent heart problems?

Dr. Shelby-Lane: It is a known and documented fact that too little Vitamin D puts the heart at risk. Yet many patients are not routinely tested, and if so, they do not take the proper steps to reach optimal Vitamin D levels between 50 to 100 ng/dL. Most lab tests give 30 as a low normal, yet this is not optimal. This can by done by diet, sun exposure (in most cases) or adequate supplementation. But most of all, people are not tested. Research suggests Vitamin D deficiency may be an unrecognized heart disease risk factor.

Researchers say a growing body of evidence suggests that vitamin D deficiency increases the risk of heart disease and is linked to other, well-known heart disease risk factors such as high blood pressure, obesity, and diabetes.

For example, several large studies have shown that people with low vitamin D levels were twice as likely to have a heart attack, stroke, or other heart-related event during follow-up, compared with those with higher vitamin D levels.

“Vitamin D deficiency is an unrecognized, emerging cardiovascular risk factor, which should be screened for and treated,” says researcher James H. O’Keefe, MD, director of preventive cardiology at the Mid America Heart Institute in Kansas City, Mo., in a news release. “Vitamin D is easy to assess and supplementation is simple, safe and inexpensive.”

Most of the body’s vitamin D requirements are met by the skin in response to sun exposure. Other less potent sources of vitamin D include foods such as salmon, sardines, cod liver oil, and vitamin D-fortified foods like milk and some cereals. Vitamin D can also be obtained through supplements.

Vitamin D deficiency is on the rise. Vitamin D deficiency symptoms are traditionally associated with bone and muscle weakness, but in recent years a number of studies have shown that low levels of the vitamin may predispose the body to high blood pressure, congestive heart failure, and chronic blood vessel inflammation (associated with hardening of the arteries). It also alters hormone levels to increase insulin resistance, which raises the risk of diabetes.

In a review article published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology, researchers surveyed recent studies on the link between vitamin D deficiency and heart disease to come up with practical advice on screening and treatment.

They concluded that vitamin D deficiency is much more common than previously thought, affecting up to half of adults and apparently healthy children in the U.S.

Researchers say higher rates of vitamin D deficiency may be due in part to people spending more time indoors and efforts to minimize sun exposure through the use of sunscreens. Sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of 15 blocks approximately 99% of vitamin D synthesis by the skin.

“We are outside less than we used to be, and older adults and people who are overweight or obese are less efficient at making vitamin D in response to sunlight,” says O’Keefe. “A little bit of sunshine is a good thing, but the use of sunscreen to guard against skin cancer is important if you plan to be outside for more than 15 to 30 minutes of intense sunlight exposure.”

Testing for Vitamin D Deficiency

Vitamin D levels can be measured with a blood test for a specific form of vitamin D called 25-hydroxy vitamin D (25(OH)D). Vitamin D deficiency is defined as a blood 25(OH)D level below 20 ng/dL. Normal levels are considered to be above 30 ng/dL.

Again, criteria for optimal levels is between 50 to 100 ng/dl.

All the best,
Lisa Nelson RD
Heart Healthy Tips

Whole grain nutrition sales have increased 17% in the last year according to the Packaged Facts market research firm. Whole grain nutrition is linked to numerous benefits, such as decreased heart disease risk, improved digestive health, and reduction in cancer. Retail sales hit $5 billion in 2008 and anticipated to reach $6 billion by 2013.

Fortunately, this appears to be a new trend that is not a short term “fad”!

Great sources of whole grain nutrition include:

100% whole wheat bread
Whole wheat pasta
Whole grain cereal
Barley
Oatmeal
Brown rice
Wild rice
Buckwheat
Millet
Popcorn
Quinoa
Amaranth

Receive a step by step plan to promote heart health and weight loss with a Mini Diet Makeover. As a special New Year’s bonus you’ll receive a complimentary copy of the Calorie Counter for Dummies. Learn more here – http://www.lisanelsonrd.com/minidietmakeover.html

You can learn more about how to use dietary fiber to reduce heart disease risk here.

Share how you have increased your whole grain intake below!

All the best,
Lisa Nelson RD
Be Heart Healthy and Lose Weight
http://www.hearthealthwithlisa.com

Let’s talk about snacks for a moment. I believe there is a general perception that snacking is bad and you need to cut out snacking if you want to lose weight and be heart healthy. Well, the opposite is actually true. Let me explain.

It is important to eat regularly, every 3-4 hours to maintain your metabolic rate, promote stable blood sugar levels, and prevent insulin spikes. By maintaining a high metabolism you boost the calories you burn throughout the day, which helps you lose weight. By maintaining stable blood sugar levels and preventing insulin spikes you will prevent drops in energy and halt a chain reaction that can lead to heart health complications (increased C-reactive protein, increased blood viscosity, increased clotting factor, increased free radical damage, etc.).

Now, this doesn’t mean just any food will work. You need to select heart healthy snacks. This means eating snacks that balance carbohydrates with protein and/or heart healthy fats. Fat and protein slow the breakdown of carbohydrates, preventing the rapid rise in blood sugar and the corresponding increased insulin release.

Here are healthy snacks that are high in carbohydrates:

Whole grain crackers
Dried Fruit
Pretzels
Fig bars
Fresh fruit

You can make these snacks heart healthy by combining with a protein. These protein sources that are easy to include with snacks:

Glass of skim milk
Yogurt
Cheese
Nuts
Peanut Butter

Here’s an example of how you can apply this to your daily snacks.

Mid-morning snack: Yogurt with granola
Mid-afternoon snack: Nuts mixed with dried fruit
Evening snack: Light frozen yogurt topped with strawberries

Receive a step by step plan to promote heart health and weight loss with a Mini Diet Makeover. As a special New Year’s bonus you’ll receive a complimentary copy of the Calorie Counter for Dummies. Learn more here – http://www.lisanelsonrd.com/minidietmakeover.html

All the best,
Lisa Nelson RD
a target=”_blank” href=”http://www.lisanelsonrd.com/howtolowercholesterol.html”>How to Lower Cholesterol in 8 Simple Steps

All right, this green tea article has been hanging over my head for at least a month now. I just couldn’t get motivated to wade through all the research to determine if yes, this is an effective way to lower cholesterol and prevent heart disease, or no, it’s just a lot of hype.

Well, I sat down and sorted it all out today and here’s what I found.

Health Claim

The proposed health claim for green tea is that drinking at least 5 fluid ounces as a source of catechins may reduce risk factors associated with cardiovascular disease.

What are catchins?

Green tea contains catechins, which are a type of flavenoid with antioxidant properties. Antioxidants slow the oxidation process. The oxidation of LDL molecules is what results in plaque formation. Therefore, increasing antioxidant intake should slow oxidation of LDL, resulting in less arterial plaque formation.

Also, when molecules are oxidized, free radicals are released that damage cells. These free radicals can increase inflammatory issues associated with cardiovascular disease.

How flavenoids work

The body recognizes flavenoids as foreign particles and works to eliminate them from the body. Flavenoids themselves do not act as an antioxidant and they are poorly absorbed by the body. However, the proposed benefit of extra flavenoids is that as the body eliminates the unwanted flavenoids, damaging free radicals are also eliminated.

Tea production

The various types of tea are produced differently. The leaves of oolong tea and black tea are allowed to oxidize (enzymes in the tea change catechins to larger molecules). Green tea is not oxidized, but produced by steaming fresh-cut leaves whereby enzymes are inactivated and little oxidation occurs. The least processed tea is white tea, which contains the highest levels of catechins. Green tea contains the second highest catechin level, approximately 125 mg catechins per serving (or ~25% dry weight of fresh tea leaves).

Here’s a little breakdown on tea oxidation:
Black tea – Highest oxidation; also, highest caffeine content and strongest flavor; 90% of all tea served in the West is black tea
Oolong tea – 10-70% oxidized
Green tea – Low oxidation
White tea – Minimal oxidation; Uncured, unfermented; Lower caffeine content that other teas

FDA Review

In 2005, the FDA did not approve the health claim for green tea, because the link between green tea and reduced cardiovascular disease risk was too weak and more conclusive evidence was needed.

Recent Research

This past June, 2008, a study was published that links green tea to reduced flow-mediated dilation of brachial arteries (major blood vessels in the upper arms). Flow-mediated dilation is related to coronary endothelial function and is an indicator for cardiovascular disease risk. Increased dilation is good. It means the heart has to do less work to move blood throughout circulation. (The endothelium is the inner layer of an artery, which blood flows against.)

This was a study of 14 healthy individuals that consumed 6 grams of green tea, followed by a measure of flow-mediated dilation. The results showed an increased flow-mediated dilation with tea (peak at 30 minutes post consumption). There was no change to antioxidant status after consumption. It’s proposed that the improved flow-mediated dilation is how green tea reduces cardiovascular disease risk.

The Hype

I came across multiple articles with headlines screaming “Green Tea Protects Against Heart Disease” since this study was published in June. I think there is significant research that still needs to be completed before it can be determined for sure how tea works to prevent heart disease. A study of 14 individuals is a small study.

Drinking 6 grams of green tea, would equal about three – 6 ounce cups of green tea each day. (Based on making 1 six ounce cup of tea with 1 teaspoon or 2.25 grams of green tea.) However, the study results are based on consuming 6 grams of tea in one setting followed by improved flow-mediated dilation at peak levels 30 minutes after consumption. How likely is it for you to drink three cups of tea quickly, back-to-back to reproduce the short-term benefit shown in this study?

To me, that is not a very effective way to reduce heart disease risk. But, I will say that if you like green tea – drink it. Many studies are showing that green tea is beneficial to heart disease. The what, how, and how much is yet to be determined. Who knows what future studies will find?!

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All the best,
Lisa Nelson RD

A recent study published this past September compared the benefits of flax oil versus fish oil in raising blood levels of heart healthy omega 3’s. Adequate omega 3 intake is linked to lower blood pressure, lower triglycerides, increased HDL cholesterol, and reduced arterial inflammation.

Flax oil contains the omega 3 fatty acid ALA (alpha-linolenic acid), while fish oil contains EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) and DHA (docosahexaenoic acid). The benefits of ALA continue to be studied, but EPA and DHA have been positively linked to heart benefits.

The body can convert ALA to EPA and DHA, but it’s been well known that this conversion process is not efficient. According to a recent study published in Nutrition Reviews, 8-20% of ALA is converted into EPA. From this, only 0.5-9% is converted to DHA.

To test the benefits of ALA supplements (flax oil) in amounts commonly consumed, the study followed 62 firefighters. The participants were divided into 6 groups and monitored for 12 weeks. Here are the six groups:

1.2 grams of flax oil per day
2.4 grams of flax oil per day
3.4 grams of flax oil per day
0.6 grams of fish oil per day
1.2 grams of fish oil per day
Sunflower placebo

Results showed an increase of EPA and DHA in the blood for those taking both levels of fish oil supplements. The EPA levels in red blood cells almost doubled by the studies end.

Now, the flax oil supplements did not have the same result. Those receiving 1.2 grams of flax oil daily did not show a significant rise in EPA and DHA, only ALA. The 2.4 g and 3.6 g flax oil supplements increased ALA, EPA, and DHA levels. EPA was increased 30% with a 2.4 g supplement and 40% with 3.6 g of flax oil daily. However, there was no corresponding increase in DHA. This confirmed the original belief that conversion of ALA into DHA is minimal.

The results of this study support my recommendations related to omega 3 supplements. First, consume a diet rich in omega 3 fatty acids (i.e. fish, nuts, flaxseed). Second, select a fish oil supplement high in EPA and DHA. Choose a supplement with 850 mg of DHA and EPA per gram of fish oil. Third, if you do not tolerate fish oil, select a flax oil supplement providing at least 1 gram of omega 3 fatty acids daily.

Sign up for The Heart of Health ezine to receive regular heart health and weight loss tips from dietitian Lisa Nelson. Subscribers receive the free e-course “8 Simple Steps to Lower Cholesterol”.

All the best,
Lisa Nelson RD

I’m sure you’ve heard of the Mediterranean Diet and its’ link to heart health. The Mediterranean Diet emphasizes fruits, vegetables, whole grains, fish, and monounsaturated fats (olive oil).

Those that follow a Mediterranean Diet have a reduced risk of developing heart disease and dying from a heart attack. Even those that have survived a heart attack and lived to adopt the Mediterranean Diet significantly reduced their risk of a second heart attack and other complications.

In an interesting twist, while many westerns try to follow a Mediterranean diet to reduce heart disease, the native Mediterranean population has gradually adopted a more Western diet. The Mediterranean area has seen an income rise that’s resulted in extra dollars being spent on meat and saturated fat food sources, leading to the negative results those of us in the U.S. are all too familiar with. Over the past 4 decades the average calorie intake in the Mediterranean countries has increased ~30%. So, the once healthy Mediterranean people now face increasing weight epidemics – 75% of the population overweight or obese in Greece, with over half of the population in Italy, Spain, and Portugal following suit. These countries are now supporting the “Mediterranean Diet” as a part of their cultural heritage they can not let die.

Here’s a quick breakdown of the characteristics common to a Mediterranean Diet:

• Consume high intake of fruits and vegetables
• Select whole grains
• Consume healthy fats (canola and olive oil)
• Eat nuts in moderation
• Low red wine consumption
• Limit eggs to less than 4 times per week
• Consume little red meat
• Eat fish regularly

Let’s get into more specifics.

Fruits, vegetables, and whole grains
A high intake of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains reduces LDL (the “bad”) cholesterol that leads to a build-up of arterial plaque. Grains in the Mediterranean region are whole grain with very little unhealthy trans fats. Breads in the Mediterranean region are typically eaten without butter or margarine.

Healthy Fats
When following a Mediterranean diet you need to choose fats wisely. Include monounsaturated fat and polyunsaturated fats. Sources of these healthy fats include olive oil, canola oil, nuts, and fish. The Mediterranean diet approach does not include a high saturated fat intake or trans fatty acids, both of which contribute to heart disease.

Olive oil – provides monounsaturated fat, which helps reduce LDL cholesterol. To receive the highest level of antioxidant benefits, select “extra-virgin” and “virgin” olive oils, the least processed forms. When you see the term “light” on olive oil labels, it indicates a reduced olive flavor.

Nuts – high in fat and calories, but low in saturated fat and depending on the nut you select can be a good source of heart healthy omega 3 fatty acids (i.e. walnuts). Eat in moderation due to high calorie content and limit the heavily salted nuts or honey roasted.

Wine
Red wine can have a similar affect to aspirin in that it reduces blood clotting. Red wine also contains antioxidants. If you’ve been following my posts, you know that I am not a supporter of using alcohol to reduce heart disease risk. If you already drink wine, continuing to do so in moderation (less than 4 ounces of wine per day) may be beneficial. If you do not currently consume wine, I do not recommend you start. Too much wine will counteract your good intentions and lead to additional complications, such as increased blood pressure.

Omega 3’s and Fish
Increase your intake of heart healthy omega 3 fatty acids, which are linked to reduced triglycerides, reduced arterial inflammation, lower blood pressure, and high HDL (good) cholesterol. Include fish (I don’t mean battered and fried) as a regular part of your diet in place of the more typical red meats, use flaxseed in your diet, and consider an omega 3 supplement.
You’ll receive regular heart health and weight loss tips from dietitian Lisa Nelson when you subscribe to The Heart of Health ezine and start your journey to heart health with the free e-course “8 Simple Steps to Lower Cholesterol Naturally” today!

All the best,
Lisa Nelson RD

A study from the National Cancer Institute found individuals consuming the most red and processed meats at greater risk of death from cancer and heart disease versus those eating lower levels.

The ten year study began in 1995 and evaluated the dietary intake of over 500,000 men and women between the ages of 50 and 71. The study divided types of meat into three categories – red meat, white meat, and processed meat.

Red meat was defined as beef, pork, ham, bacon, hamburger, hot dogs, liver, pork sausage, and steak. As well as meats found in foods like pizza, stews, and lasagna.

White meat was classified as fish, chicken, and turkey.

Processed meat included white or red meats that were cured, dried, or smoked, such as bacon, chicken sausage, lunch meats, and cold cuts.

Individuals eating red meat at the highest levels consumed ~4.5 ounces per day based on a 2,000 calorie/day diet. This is equal to approximately 2 pounds of beef or pork each week. Compare this to the group with the lowest intake of red meat at 5 ounces per week or ~ 0.5 ounce per day.

Those with the highest intake of processed meat consumed approximately 1.5 ounces per day versus the lowest intake group at 0.11 ounces per day.

Men eating red meat at the higher levels each day had a 31% greater risk of dying and women 50% greater risk of dying due to heart disease. The study found that 11% of all deaths in men and 16% of all deaths in women could’ve been prevented by consuming the lower levels of red meat. Looking at just heart disease, death due to heart disease could have been reduced 11% in men and 21% in women if red meat intake was reduced from the highest level to the lowest.

A high intake of processed was linked to a 16% increased risk of dying for men and 25% increased risk for women.

This doesn’t mean you need to switch to a vegetarian diet. Individuals eating white meat had a slightly lower risk of death.

Possible reasons for the increased risk of death linked to eating red meat and processed meat maybe due to the carcinogens formed during cooking, iron in red meat causing oxidative cell damage, and/or saturated fat in red meat increased cancer risk and elevated cholesterol levels.

Here are some tips for making wise meat selections.

1. Select lean cuts of meat, such as your “loins” and “rounds”.
2. Choose cuts of meat with the least amount of marbling (visible fat).
3. Trim visible fat before cooking.
4. Marinate before grilling. May decrease formation of carcinogens if marinated in beer or wine prior to cooking.
5. Broil versus frying or roast large cuts and skim off the fat.
6. Drain oil and rinse ground beef in hot water to decrease fat.

All the best,
Lisa Nelson RD
How to Lower Cholesterol in 8 Simple Steps

Your risk of heart failure is increased by a variety of factors, such as coronary artery disease, obesity, diabetes, insulin resistance, and hypertension. What you eat has a major impact on these risk factors.

A new study was recently released in the Journal of the American Dietetic Association that supports eating whole grains to reduce heart disease risk.

The 13 year study evaluated the association between seven different food categories (fruits/vegetables, whole grains, eggs, high-fat dairy, nuts, fish, and red meat) and heart failure risk in over 14,000 adults. During the study, 1,140 adults were hospitalized for heart failure. The study found that heart failure risk was significantly reduced in individuals with a high whole grain intake. Heart failure risk was significantly higher in individuals with increased intake of eggs and high-fat dairy.

A much smaller scale survey of 800 American adults shows promising changes. The first diet and exercise survey conducted by the American Dietetic Association was in 1991 and the most recent in 2002. The goal of the survey is to measure current attitudes and behaviors toward diet and health and identify behavior changes over time.

Findings of the 2008 survey show that consumption of whole grains, vegetables, and fruit has increased, while trans fat, beef, pork, and dairy consumption has decreased.

Increased in the past 5 years:

Whole grains – 56%
Vegetables – 50%
Fruits – 48%
Low-fat foods – 48%
Omega 3 fatty acids – 38%

Decreased in the past 5 years:

Trans fat – reduced 56%
Beef – reduced 41%
Port – reduced 33%
Dairy – reduced 23%
Low-sugar foods – reduced 20%

The survey divided participants into three groups based on diet and exercise habits. Here are the divisions:

I’m already doing it – 43% (5% increase from 2002)
I know I should – 38% (8% increase from 2002)
Don’t bother me – 19% (13% decrease from 2002)

So, overall it looks like American’s are wising up. However, what’s important is you. Where do you fall? Are you increasing your whole grain intake, eating more fruits/veggies, and cutting back on trans fats? Are you doing what you need to, in order to reduce heart failure risk?

If you would like one-on-one help, please sign up for The Heart of Health ezine to stay up-to-date on the latest programs from dietitian Lisa Nelson. You’ll also receive the free report “Stop Wasting Money – Take Control of Your Health”.

All the best,
Lisa Nelson RD

Barley contains the same soluble fiber and beta-glucan as oats. Individuals who regularly consume barley have lower LDL cholesterol, triglycerides, and total cholesterol.

A review of studies found the beta glucan in barley linked to decreased total cholesterol of 13 mg/dl, decreased LDL cholesterol of 10 mg/dl, and a reduced triglyceride level of 12 mg/dl. The review found no relationship between barley intake and HDL cholesterol. Beta-glucan is a type soluble fiber.

There are two types of dietary fiber – soluble and insoluble. You want to include between 25-35 grams of dietary fiber in your diet everyday. Of this, soluble fiber should make up 15 grams. Soluble fiber promotes lower total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol levels.

Barley nutrition is unique in that it contains fiber throughout the entire grain kernel. For most grains, when the outer bran layer is removed you’ve also removed the fiber. This isn’t the case with barley. Pearled barley is the easiest form of barley to find. Even though the grain is processed to remove the hull, bran, and some of the inner layer, it still provides 3 grams of dietary fiber in a half cup serving. Other varieties of barley include scotch or pot barley, barley flakes, quick-cooking barley, and hulled or hull-less barley.

Including barley as a regular part of your diet is a nutritious and simple way to promote heart health, lower LDL cholesterol, and lower total cholesterol levels.

Be sure to sign up for the free e-course How to Lower Cholesterol in 8 Simple Steps.

All the best,
Lisa Nelson RD
Heart Healthy Tips

Here’s another question and answer from my February interview with Dr. Cynthia Shelby-Lane regarding the need for coenzyme Q10 to prevent heart disease.

Lisa Nelson RD: How much coenzyme Q10, if any, should individuals with heart disease supplement to see benefits?

Dr. Shelby-Lane: CoenzymeQ10-H2, also known as ubiquinol, is the reduced form of coenzymeQ10 (CoQ10) that is over five times more bioavailable than ordinary (standard) CoQ10. CoQ10 plays an essential role in providing energy to the body through the mitochondria, the energy-producing organelles found in all cells. There are between 100 and 300 mitochondria inside every cell, and they are responsible for over 90% of the body’s energy production. Mitochondria can truly be described as the cell’s ‘blast furnaces,’ and CoQ10 plays a critical role in the utilization of oxygen inside these mitochondria. CoQ10 also acts as an antioxidant to protect the mitochondria against the massive free radical production that occurs during the cell’s energy-producing respiratory cycle.

CoQ10 is produced naturally in all cells, but there is an age-related decline in CoQ10 production that has been linked to a wide variety of disorders in humans. Heart cells were the first cells discovered that suffered major declines in CoQ10 with age, but we now know that CoQ10 levels decline with age in almost all cells. It is vital for our health to supply dietary CoQ10 to offset the inevitable age-related decline in CoQ10 levels that occurs throughout the human body.

CoQ10 supplementation has been strongly linked to improved cardiovascular health in a wide variety of studies. It decreases peripheral blood flow resistance, especially in the microcirculation, which accounts for up to 90% of blood flow resistance. Numerous studies have also shown that CoQ10 can improve cardiac function, support healthy blood pressure, protect brain cells, slow aging markers, and shorten recovery times in power lifting and body building.

With CoenzymeQ10-H2 you can get the therapeutic benefits of higher dose coenzyme Q10 at much lower dosage levels.

Recommended Dosage: 50 mg to 300 mg standard CoQ10 per day with meals. Most manufacturers will not specify, so standard Coenzyme Q10 is still the most used. It may be difficult for the consumer to get the more concentrated so, so this value (50 -300 mg) is for standard CoQ10. Testing is the best way to know if you are getting adequate supplementation.

To be effective, you need to take enough CoQ10 to significantly raise its level in the blood to see any beneficial effect. The amount needed to do that varies among individuals, and also depends on the potency or “bioavailability” of the CoQ10 used. Some people get a good rise with 100 milligrams, whereas others need two or three times that much to attain the same blood level. Taking too little of this supplement won’t help you.

A typical dose for heart disease is 50 to 150 milligrams a day. However when heart failure is severe, up to 360 milligrams a day taken in doses of no more than 180 milligrams at a time may be needed. Experts say that “the sicker the cardiac patient, the weaker the heart, the higher the CoQ10 dose needs to be.”

Some researchers recommend 2 milligrams of CoQ10 for each kilogram of body weight (0.9 milligrams for each pound of body weight).

CoQ10 is fat soluble. To be effective, it must be taken with some fat for absorption. Take it with a little peanut butter or olive oil. If possible, take CoQ10 in the form of soft gel capsules. They are better than dry capsules or tablets.

Dosage is determined by measuring blood levels of coenzyme Q10.

Generally, people who have heart failure begin to see an improvement in symptoms in about four weeks, although some people may take as long as three months. Maximum improvement occurs after six months, which is longer than ordinary drugs take to exhibit an effect. Once started, you must take CoQ10 continually to maintain its heart-strengthening benefits.

Safety

CoQ10 is very safe. In a large Italian study, 22 out of 2,664 patients reported mild side effects. This comes out to be less than 1 percent. The typical side effect reported is mild transient nausea. No toxicity has been found, even at high doses, in animals or humans.

Important Caution

CoQ10 is not a substitute for conventional drugs. It is usually used along with conventional therapy for best results. You should do this only under the supervision of your doctor. Heart failure is a serious condition that should not be self-diagnosed or self-medicated. If you have serious heart disease, always consult a doctor for the proper course of treatment.

All the best,
Lisa Nelson RD
Coenzyme Q10 Deficiency