Heart Health4 Nutrients to Prevent Heart Disease
You can use nutrients now to prevent heart disease later. Here are 4 nutrients to ensure are a regular part of your daily diet.
Coenzyme Q10
Coenzyme Q10 (ubiquinone) is a powerful antioxidant and plays a key role in cellular energy production. Within the cellular mitochondria, coenzyme Q10 is responsible for carrying the electrons back and forth between enzymes in the production of ATP (energy).
Coenzyme Q10 also removes many free radicals from circulation. It’s these free radicals that lead to oxidation of LDL and the subsequent chain of events that result in heart disease.
Research has found individuals with heart disease have deficient levels of conenzyme Q10. Statin medications interfere with the production of coenzyme Q10. If you take a statin medication it’s essential you also supplement coenzyme Q10.
Vitamin D
Vitamin is actually a hormone produced by the body from sunlight. Vitamin D improves the bodies absorption of calcium, helps the pancreas release insulin, stimulates bone mineralization, and is necessary for blood clotting and thyroid function.
Research is showing vitamin D deficiency to impact heart disease risk, specifically blood pressure levels, coronary artery disease, and insulin resistance.
Omega 3 Fatty Acids
Omega 3’s are essential fatty acids necessary for cardiovascular health. The term “essential” means they are not nutrients that can be produced by the body, you must consume them in your diet. There are three types of omega 3 fatty acids:
Alpha Linolenic Acid (ALA)
Eicosapentaenoic Acid (EPA)
Docosahexaenoic Acid (DHA)
Different foods contain different types of omega 3’s. For example, flaxseed is a rich source of ALA, while fish is rich in DHA.
Omega 3 fatty acids provide many functions within the body, some of these function include reduced inflammation, decreased arrhythmias, enhanced insulin function, decreased arterial plaque build up, lower blood pressure, lower triglycerides, and less “sticky” blood to protect against clotting.
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Resveratrol
Resveratrol is a plant substance that provides many health benefits. It’s most commonly know that red wine contains resveratrol although not in levels high enough to account for the health benefits.
Some benefits links to resveratrol include decreased platelet stickiness, decrease inflammation, inhibits LDL oxidation, an increasing nitric oxide levels to open arteries for improved blood flow.
All the best,
Lisa Nelson RD
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