Your heart is one of the most important organs of your body and keeping it healthy is extremely important. In an article published by Johns Hopkins Medicine, “Heart disease accounts for one in every four deaths in the U.S., according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). It is the leading cause of death for both American women and men.” Coronary heart disease, high blood pressure, rheumatic heart disease, and stroke are just some examples of this illness.
Obviously, the last thing you want is to suffer from any of these life-threatening conditions. With that being said, it’s always a good idea to be mindful of what you eat. The food you consume matters greatly because it can affect how your heart functions. It helps to eat healthy food, follow a well-balanced diet, and cut down on options that have less nutritional value.
Apart from these, another habit that can reduce your risk of heart disease is taking supplements. These can nourish your body—and more importantly, your heart—with the essential vitamins and nutrients that it needs. So, what supplement exactly is most favorable for heart health? We asked experts to find out. Read on to see what they have to say.
Omega-3 Fatty Acids
According to nutritional therapy practitioner (NTP) Amy Lippert, "Omega-3s are essential fatty acids that work to help support the anti-inflammatory pathways of the body which are directly tied to heart health." She notes that they are also responsible for promoting the health of your cell's membranes, which has an overall effect on the health of your entire body.
"Omega 3 fatty-acids are the best supplement to take if you have high cholesterol, at least according to science," advises the South Denver Cardiology Associates. "Omega-3 fatty acids have been proven to provide significant reductions in triglyceride levels and increases in good HDL cholesterol," they explain.
Additionally, Nature Made Wellness Ambassador Dr. Kameelah Phillips mentions, "Increasing data also suggests that omega fatty acids can help reduce pain and inflammation in joint conditions—these benefits are important for an aging population."
Seafood such as salmon, sardines, and tuna are all good sources of omega-3 fatty acids EPA and DHA. Trout, anchovies, and mackerel are also options you can incorporate in your diet. Aside from these items, you may also find omega fatty acids in flaxseed and soybeans.
