Natural Heart Health Support: Exploring nutritional support for Heart Health using Max Cardioflow
Do you have a heart health plan?
Heart disease remains a leading health concern in Canada, affecting millions and standing as the second leading cause of death after cancer. Understanding the factors influencing heart health, especially within the Canadian context, is crucial for effective prevention and management.
Prevalence of Heart Disease in Canada
In 2012–2013, approximately 2.4 million Canadian adults aged 20 years and older were living with ischemic heart disease, with 578,000 having a history of heart attack. Additionally, 669,600 Canadians aged 40 years and older were living with heart failure.
Age and Gender Disparities
Heart disease tends to manifest about a decade later in women compared to men. Age-standardized prevalence and incidence rates of diagnosed ischemic heart disease and heart failure, as well as the occurrence of acute myocardial infarction, have historically been higher among men than women. However, the absolute number of occurrences has been increasing over time.
Impact of Pre-existing Conditions
Certain pre-existing conditions significantly elevate the risk of developing heart disease. For instance, pregnancy-associated conditions, polycystic ovarian syndrome, and menopause can increase a woman's risk of cardiovascular disease. Women are also at greater risk for autoimmune rheumatic disorders, which play a role in the predisposition and pathogenesis of cardiovascular disease.
Comparative Global Trends
Globally, heart disease is the leading cause of death, accounting for an estimated 8.9 million deaths in 2015, representing 45% of all non-communicable disease deaths worldwide. In Canada, while heart disease remains a significant concern, advancements in prevention and management have led to improvements in outcomes over the past few decades.
Standard Treatment Approaches
Management of heart disease typically involves a combination of lifestyle modifications, pharmacotherapy, and, in some cases, surgical interventions. Lifestyle changes include adopting a heart-healthy diet, engaging in regular physical activity, quitting smoking, and managing stress. Medications may be prescribed to control blood pressure, cholesterol levels, and other contributing factors. In advanced cases, procedures such as angioplasty or coronary artery bypass grafting may be necessary.
Complementary and Alternative Medicine
Beyond conventional treatments, complementary approaches like nutrition, homeopathy, and botanical medicine have gained attention for their potential supportive roles in heart health.
Nutritional Supplements and Their Efficacy
Various vitamins, minerals, and other compounds have been studied for their potential cardiovascular benefits:
- Vitamins A, C, and E: These antioxidants are believed to combat oxidative stress, a factor in heart disease development at the cellular level. It was concluded that vitamin supplementation could be more effective in the prevention than the treatment of CVD. Three large epidemiologic cohort studies of vitamin E noted that high-level vitamin E intake or supplementation was associated with a significant reduction in cardiovascular disease (RRR range, 31% to 65%), as measured by various fatal and nonfatal cardiovascular end points. To obtain these reductions, vitamin E supplementation must last at least 2 years. However, clinical trials have yielded mixed results regarding their efficacy in reducing cardiovascular events.1,2,3,5,6,10,12
- B Vitamins (B6, B12, Folic Acid): These vitamins play a role in homocysteine metabolism, with elevated homocysteine levels linked to increased heart disease risk. Supplementation has been shown to lower homocysteine levels, but this has not consistently translated into reduced cardiovascular events. 1,2,3,8,9
- L-Methionine, Choline, Inositol: These compounds are involved in lipid metabolism and may influence heart health, though direct evidence of their cardiovascular benefits is limited. A cohort study of 1969 older adults in Sweden, high homocysteine levels, low methionine levels were associated with faster development of cardiovascular multimorbidity. Methionine deficient diet causes hepatic lipid accumulation, a well-known risk factor for atherosclerosis. Inositol supplementation may result in a reduction in triglycerides, total- and LDL-cholesterol levels among patients with metabolic diseases which are high risk factors for Coronary Artery Disease. 13,14,15,16,17,18,19,20.
- Selenium and Magnesium: Selenium has antioxidant properties, and magnesium is vital for heart rhythm regulation. Magnesium also has a role in regulating vascular tone, atherogenesis and thrombosis, vascular calcification, and proliferation and migration of endothelial and vascular smooth muscle cells. As such, magnesium potentially has a major influence on the pathogenesis of cardiovascular disease. Some studies suggest benefits, but findings are not conclusive. 7,21,22,23
- Carotenoids (Lutein and Lycopene): These antioxidants have been associated with reduced arterial stiffness and improved vascular function, though more research is needed. Some studies suggest that lutein may play a protective role in the prevention of early atherosclerosis. 3,24,25,26
- N-Acetyl Cysteine and L-Taurine: Both have shown potential in improving heart function and reducing oxidative stress in preliminary studies. N-acetylcysteine treatment lowers plasma homocysteine. Taurine has a role in the maintenance of normal contractile function of the heart. 27,28,29,30,31,32,33.
- Alpha-Lipoic Acid (ALA): An antioxidant that may improve endothelial function, though evidence is preliminary ALA represents a possible protective agent against risk factors of cardiovascular disease (CVD). 34,35
- Coenzyme Q10(CoQ10): CoQ10 has thus a potential role for prevention and treatment of heart ailments by improving cellular bioenergetics. In addition, it has an antioxidant, free radical scavenging and a vasodilator effect which may be helpful in these conditions. It inhibits LDL oxidation and thus the progression of atherosclerosis. It decreases proinflammatory cytokines and decreases blood viscosity which is helpful in patients with heart failure and coronary artery disease. It also improves ischemia and reperfusion injury of coronary revascularization. Studies have shown preliminary evidence of cardiovascular protection with dietary supplements such as coenzyme Q10. 4,36
- Plant Sterols (Beta-Sitosterol, Campesterol, Stigmasterol): These compounds can lower LDL cholesterol levels, a known risk factor for heart disease. 37
Botanical Medicines
Several botanicals have been traditionally used to support heart health:
- Garlic: May modestly reduce blood pressure, the total cholesterol levels. and have antiplatelet effects. Garlic indirectly affects atherosclerosis by the reduction of hyperlipidemia, hypertension, and probably diabetes mellitus and prevents thrombus formation. . 38,39,40.
- Hawthorn: Traditionally used for heart failure, some studies suggest it can improve exercise capacity and symptoms. 41,42,53
- Bilberry: Rich in antioxidants, it may improve circulation, though direct cardiovascular benefits require more research. It is one of the richest natural sources of anthocyanins which give berries their red/purple/blue color. Anthocyanins are powerful antioxidants and are reported to play an important role in the prevention of metabolic disease and CVD as well as cancer and other conditions. The regular intake of bilberries can be important to reduce CVDs risk, by decreasing LDL-C/TG and increasing HDL-C. 42,43,44,45
- Turmeric: Contains curcumin, which has anti-inflammatory properties; its direct impact on heart disease prevention is still under investigation. 46,47,48
- Grapeseed Extract: High in antioxidants, it may lower blood pressure and improve blood flow. Grape seed extract appears to significantly lower systolic blood pressure and heart rate, with no effect on lipid or CRP levels. 49
- Policosanol: Derived from sugar cane, it has been studied for cholesterol-lowering effects, with mixed results. 51,52
Conclusion
Heart health in Canada is complex and is influenced by a myriad of factors, including age, gender, and pre-existing conditions. While conventional treatments remain the cornerstone of managing heart disease, complementary approaches, particularly those involving nutrition and botanical medicine, offer additional avenues for support and potentially prevention. However, it's essential to approach these alternatives with a critical eye, relying on evidence-based recommendations and consulting your primary healthcare professional before making significant changes to your heart health plan. Reagrdless of the specifics of your plan Max Cardio Flow is a rationally designed natural health product that is formulated based using the science of its individual ingredients to serve as a foundational supplement in a well-designed health heart plan.
References
- Role of Vitamins in Cardiovascular Health: Know Your Facts - Part 1,By Antonis A. Manolis, Theodora Manolis, Helen Melita and Antonis S. Manolis;Source: Current Vascular Pharmacology, Volume 21, Issue 6, Nov 2023, p. 378 – 398 DOI: https://doi.org/10.2174/1570161121666230912155548
- Debreceni, B., & Debreceni, L. (2014). Role of vitamins in cardiovascular health and disease. Research Reports in Clinical Cardiology, 5, 283–295. https://doi.org/10.2147/RRCC.S44465
- Honarbakhsh S, Schachter M. Vitamins and cardiovascular disease. British Journal of Nutrition. 2008;101(8):1113-1131. doi:10.1017/S000711450809123X
- Goudarzi, Sogand MD*; Memar Montazerin, Sahar MD*; Najafi, Homa MD*; Shojaei, Fahimehalsadat MD*; Chi, Gerald MD*. Effect of Vitamins and Dietary Supplements on Cardiovascular Health. Critical Pathways in Cardiology 19(3):p 153-159, September 2020. | DOI: 10.1097/HPC.0000000000000212
- Prabhat Jha, Marcus Flather, Eva Lonn, et al. The Antioxidant Vitamins and Cardiovascular Disease: A Critical Review of Epidemiologic and Clinical Trial Data. Ann Intern Med.1995;123:860-872. doi:10.7326/0003-4819-123-11-199512010-00009
- Systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials testing the effects of vitamin C supplementation on blood lipids Ashor, Ammar W. et al. Clinical Nutrition, Volume 35, Issue 3, 626 - 637
- Busetto L, Vettor R, Plebani M, Pezzani R, Nacamulli D, Mian C. Selenium Supplementation, Body Mass Composition, and Leptin Levels in Patients with Obesity on a Balanced Mildly Hypocaloric Diet: A Pilot Study. Int J Endocrinol. 2020 May 28;2020:4802739. doi: 10.1155/2020/4802739. PMID: 32565792; PMCID: PMC7275228.
- Sun Y, Sun M, Liu B, Du Y, Rong S, Xu G, Snetselaar LG, Bao W. Inverse Association Between Serum Vitamin B12 Concentration and Obesity Among Adults in the United States. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne). 2019 Jun 27;10:414. doi: 10.3389/fendo.2019.00414. PMID: 31316466; PMCID: PMC6610317.
- Ford TC, Downey LA, Simpson T, McPhee G, Oliver C, Stough C. The Effect of a High-Dose Vitamin B Multivitamin Supplement on the Relationship between Brain Metabolism and Blood Biomarkers of Oxidative Stress: A Randomized Control Trial. Nutrients. 2018; 10(12):1860. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu10121860
- Vitamin E Supplementation in the Prevention of Coronary Heart Disease Pruthi, Sandhya et al.Mayo Clinic Proceedings, Volume 76, Issue 11, 1131 – 1136
- Spencer AP, Carson DS, Crouch MA. Vitamin E and Coronary Artery Disease. Arch Intern Med. 1999;159(12):1313–1320. doi:10.1001/archinte.159.12.1313
- Vardi M, Levy NS, Levy AP. Vitamin E in the prevention of cardiovascular disease: the importance of proper patient selection. J Lipid Res. 2013 Sep;54(9):2307-14. doi: 10.1194/jlr.R026641. Epub 2013 Mar 15. PMID: 23505320; PMCID: PMC3735930.
- Kruse W, Kruse W, Raetzer H, Heuck CC, Oster P, Schellenberg B, Schlierf G. Nocturnal inhibition of lipolysis in man by nicotinic acid and derivatives. Eur J Clin Pharmacol. 1979 Aug;16(1):11-5. doi: 10.1007/BF00644960. PMID: 499296.
- Calderón-Larrañaga A, Saadeh M, Hooshmand B, et al. Association of Homocysteine, Methionine, and MTHFR 677C>T Polymorphism With Rate of Cardiovascular Multimorbidity Development in Older Adults in Sweden. JAMA Netw Open. 2020;3(5):e205316. doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2020.5316
- Plasma methionine and risk of acute myocardial infarction: Effect modification by established risk factors Dhar, Indu et al.Atherosclerosis, Volume 272, 175 – 181
- da Costa KA, Gaffney CE, Fischer LM, Zeisel SH. Choline deficiency in mice and humans is associated with increased plasma homocysteine concentration after a methionine load. Am J Clin Nutr. 2005 Feb;81(2):440-4. doi: 10.1093/ajcn.81.2.440. PMID: 15699233; PMCID: PMC2424020.
- Chiuve SE, Giovannucci EL, Hankinson SE, Zeisel SH, Dougherty LW, Willett WC, Rimm EB. The association between betaine and choline intakes and the plasma concentrations of homocysteine in women. Am J Clin Nutr. 2007 Oct;86(4):1073-81. doi: 10.1093/ajcn/86.4.1073. PMID: 17921386; PMCID: PMC2430894.
- https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/drugs/25173-inositol
- D'Anna R, Santamaria A, Cannata ML, Interdonato ML, Giorgianni GM, Granese R, Corrado F, Bitto A. Effects of a new flavonoid and Myo-inositol supplement on some biomarkers of cardiovascular risk in postmenopausal women: a randomized trial. Int J Endocrinol. 2014;2014:653561. doi: 10.1155/2014/653561. Epub 2014 Aug 31. PMID: 25254044; PMCID: PMC4164131.
- Tabrizi, R., Ostadmohammadi, V., Lankarani, K.B. et al. The effects of inositol supplementation on lipid profiles among patients with metabolic diseases: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Lipids Health Dis 17, 123 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12944-018-0779-4
- Oster, O., Prellwitz, W. Selenium and cardiovascular disease. Biol Trace Elem Res 24, 91–103 (1990). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02917198
- Shimada BK, Alfulaij N, Seale LA. The Impact of Selenium Deficiency on Cardiovascular Function. Int J Mol Sci. 2021 Oct 2;22(19):10713. doi: 10.3390/ijms221910713. PMID: 34639053; PMCID: PMC8509311.
- Tangvoraphonkchai K, Davenport A. Magnesium and Cardiovascular Disease. Adv Chronic Kidney Dis. 2018 May;25(3):251-260. doi: 10.1053/j.ackd.2018.02.010. PMID: 29793664.
- Zou Z, Xu X, Huang Y, Xiao X, Ma L, Sun T, Dong P, Wang X, Lin X. High serum level of lutein may be protective against early atherosclerosis: the Beijing atherosclerosis study. Atherosclerosis. 2011 Dec;219(2):789-93. doi: 10.1016/j.atherosclerosis.2011.08.006. Epub 2011 Aug 10. PMID: 21872250.
- Dwyer JH, Navab M, Dwyer KM, Hassan K, Sun P, Shircore A, Hama-Levy S, Hough G, Wang X, Drake T, Merz CN, Fogelman AM. Oxygenated carotenoid lutein and progression of early atherosclerosis: the Los Angeles atherosclerosis study. Circulation. 2001 Jun 19;103(24):2922-7. doi: 10.1161/01.cir.103.24.2922. PMID: 11413081.
- Przybylska S, Tokarczyk G. Lycopene in the Prevention of Cardiovascular Diseases. Int J Mol Sci. 2022 Feb 10;23(4):1957. doi: 10.3390/ijms23041957. PMID: 35216071; PMCID: PMC8880080.
- Wiklund O, Fager G, Andersson A, Lundstam U, Masson P, Hultberg B. N-acetylcysteine treatment lowers plasma homocysteine but not serum lipoprotein(a) levels. Atherosclerosis. 1996 Jan 5;119(1):99-106. doi: 10.1016/0021-9150(95)05635-1. PMID: 8929261.
- Hildebrandt W, Sauer R, Bonaterra G, Dugi KA, Edler L, Kinscherf R. Oral N-acetylcysteine reduces plasma homocysteine concentrations regardless of lipid or smoking status. Am J Clin Nutr. 2015 Nov;102(5):1014-24. doi: 10.3945/ajcn.114.101964. Epub 2015 Oct 7. PMID: 26447155.
- Cui Y, Zhu Q, Hao H, Flaker GC, Liu Z. N-Acetylcysteine and Atherosclerosis: Promises and Challenges. Antioxidants (Basel). 2023 Dec 4;12(12):2073. doi: 10.3390/antiox12122073. PMID: 38136193; PMCID: PMC10741030.
- Schaffer SW, Jong CJ, Ramila KC, Azuma J. Physiological roles of taurine in heart and muscle. J Biomed Sci. 2010 Aug 24;17 Suppl 1(Suppl 1):S2. doi: 10.1186/1423-0127-17-S1-S2. PMID: 20804594; PMCID: PMC2994395.
- Zaki, Hany V.; Sweed, Mohamed S.; Ali, Rania M.; Abdelhafeez, Mohamed A.1. Taurine as an Adjunct Therapy for Early Left Ventricular Recovery in Peripartum Cardiomyopathy. Journal of Obstetric Anaesthesia and Critical Care 11(1):p 9-14, Jan–Jun 2021. | DOI: 10.4103/joacc.JOACC_36_20
- Tzang, CC., Lin, WC., Lin, LH. et al. Insights into the cardiovascular benefits of taurine: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Nutr J 23, 93 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12937-024-00995-5
- Santulli G, Kansakar U, Varzideh F, Mone P, Jankauskas SS, Lombardi A. Functional Role of Taurine in Aging and Cardiovascular Health: An Updated Overview. Nutrients. 2023 Sep 30;15(19):4236. doi: 10.3390/nu15194236. PMID: 37836520; PMCID: PMC10574552.
- Wollin SD, Jones PJ. Alpha-lipoic acid and cardiovascular disease. J Nutr. 2003 Nov;133(11):3327-30. doi: 10.1093/jn/133.11.3327. PMID: 14608040.
- Skibska B, Goraca A. The protective effect of lipoic acid on selected cardiovascular diseases caused by age-related oxidative stress. Oxid Med Cell Longev. 2015;2015:313021. doi: 10.1155/2015/313021. Epub 2015 Apr 8. PMID: 25949771; PMCID: PMC4407629.
- Adarsh Kumar, Harharpreet Kaur, Pushpa Devi, Varun Mohan,Role of coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) in cardiac disease, hypertension and Meniere-like syndrome,Pharmacology & Therapeutics,Volume 124, Issue 3,2009,Pages 259-268,ISSN 0163-7258,https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pharmthera.2009.07.003.
- Helena Gylling, Jogchum Plat, Stephen Turley, Henry N. Ginsberg, Lars Ellegård, Wendy Jessup, Peter J. Jones, Dieter Lütjohann, Winfried Maerz, Luis Masana, Günther Silbernagel, Bart Staels, Jan Borén, Alberico L. Catapano, Guy De Backer, John Deanfield, Olivier S. Descamps, Petri T. Kovanen, Gabriele Riccardi, Lale Tokgözoglu, M. John Chapman,
- Plant sterols and plant stanols in the management of dyslipidaemia and prevention of cardiovascular disease,Atherosclerosis,Volume 232, Issue 2,2014,Pages 346-360,ISSN 0021-9150,https://doi.org/10.1016/j.atherosclerosis.2013.11.043.
- Kendler BS. Garlic (Allium sativum) and onion (Allium cepa): a review of their relationship to cardiovascular disease. Prev Med. 1987 Sep;16(5):670-85. doi: 10.1016/0091-7435(87)90050-8. PMID: 3317392.
- Warshafsky S, Kamer RS, Sivak SL. Effect of garlic on total serum cholesterol. A meta-analysis. Ann Intern Med. 1993 Oct 1;119(7 Pt 1):599-605. doi: 10.7326/0003-4819-119-7_part_1-199310010-00009. PMID: 8363171.
- Orekhov AN, Grünwald J. Effects of garlic on atherosclerosis. Nutrition. 1997 Jul-Aug;13(7-8):656-63. doi: 10.1016/s0899-9007(97)83010-9. PMID: 9263259.
- Tauchert M. Efficacy and safety of crataegus extract WS 1442 in comparison with placebo in patients with chronic stable New York Heart Association class-III heart failure. Am Heart J. 2002 May;143(5):910-5. doi: 10.1067/mhj.2002.121463. PMID: 12040357.
- Tassell MC, Kingston R, Gilroy D, Lehane M, Furey A. Hawthorn (Crataegus spp.) in the treatment of cardiovascular disease. Pharmacogn Rev. 2010 Jan;4(7):32-41. doi: 10.4103/0973-7847.65324. PMID: 22228939; PMCID: PMC3249900.
- Chan SW, Tomlinson B. Effects of Bilberry Supplementation on Metabolic and Cardiovascular Disease Risk. Molecules. 2020 Apr 3;25(7):1653. doi: 10.3390/molecules25071653. PMID: 32260262; PMCID: PMC7180827.
- Habanova M, Saraiva JA, Haban M, Schwarzova M, Chlebo P, Predna L, Gažo J, Wyka J. Intake of bilberries (Vaccinium myrtillus L.) reduced risk factors for cardiovascular disease by inducing favorable changes in lipoprotein profiles. Nutr Res. 2016 Dec;36(12):1415-1422. doi: 10.1016/j.nutres.2016.11.010. Epub 2016 Nov 23. PMID: 27993193.
- Hajleh MNA, Al-Dujaili EAS. Effects of Turmeric Concentrate on Cardiovascular Risk Factors and Exercise-Induced Oxidative Stress in Healthy Volunteers; an Exploratory Study. Adv Pharm Bull. 2023 Jul;13(3):601-610. doi: 10.34172/apb.2023.052. Epub 2022 Jul 2. PMID: 37646063; PMCID: PMC10460800.
- Cox FF, Misiou A, Vierkant A, Ale-Agha N, Grandoch M, Haendeler J, Altschmied J. Protective Effects of Curcumin in Cardiovascular Diseases-Impact on Oxidative Stress and Mitochondria. Cells. 2022 Jan 20;11(3):342. doi: 10.3390/cells11030342. PMID: 35159155; PMCID: PMC8833931.
- Qin, S., Huang, L., Gong, J. et al. Efficacy and safety of turmeric and curcumin in lowering blood lipid levels in patients with cardiovascular risk factors: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Nutr J 16, 68 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12937-017-0293-y
- Feringa HH, Laskey DA, Dickson JE, Coleman CI. The effect of grape seed extract on cardiovascular risk markers: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. J Am Diet Assoc. 2011 Aug;111(8):1173-81. doi: 10.1016/j.jada.2011.05.015. PMID: 21802563.
- Ha-Rim Kim, Ye-Seul Kim, Paulrayer Antonisamy, Do-Gon Ryu, Young-Rae Lee, Guemsan Lee, Kang-Beom Kwon,
- A 8-week, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled human trial to evaluate the efficacy and safety of Saccharum officinarum wax alcohols (Policosanol) on improvement of blood cholesterol,Journal of King Saud University - Science, Volume 35, Issue 6,2023,102769,ISSN 1018-3647,https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jksus.2023.102769.
- Janikula M. Policosanol: a new treatment for cardiovascular disease? Altern Med Rev. 2002 Jun;7(3):203-17. PMID: 12126462.
- https://www.mountsinai.org/health-library/herb/hawthorn#:~:text=Hawthorn%20has%20been%20studied%20in,hawthorn%20significantly%20improved%20heart%20function.