Heart-healthy Vitamins & Minerals

By Author: Dr. Victor Marchione
Total Articles: 90
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When it comes to your heart, it’s best to do whatever you can to keep it healthy. You’ll want to make sure that you get lots of exercise — particularly the aerobic kind. Aerobic exercise increases your circulation and boosts the strength and efficiency of your heart as it pumps blood through your body. Try some swimming, cycling or jogging.
You don’t have to do a lot of this type of exercise, just enough to give your heart muscles a little workout. A 10- or 15-minute jog three or four times a week should be sufficient.
Next, you’ll want to consider your diet. Avoiding lots of saturated fat is a necessity, as is excess alcohol and smoking.
Then, you’ll want to be aware that certain vitamins and minerals are crucial for optimal heart health. Which vitamins and minerals do you need every day? Here’s a list to help you out.
Magnesium
Magnesium is required for 300 biochemical reactions, including its incredible ability to stop calcium from entering places where it would cause harm, such as the cells of your heart and ...
... muscles. For this reason, it is known as “nature’s calcium channel blocker.” Magnesium works in the same way that many heart medications do.
Magnesium deficiency is relatively common in North America, due to either losing too much in your urine, poor absorption or not getting enough in your diet. Signs of deficiency include low levels of calcium and potassium, confusion, disorientation, loss of appetite, depression, muscle cramps, fatigue, personality change and tingling or numbness.
In one study, patients with heart disease were given magnesium supplements. The research team found that these patients were 25% less likely to experience congestive heart failure than those who were not taking magnesium.7
The recommended daily intake (RDI) for magnesium is 350 milligrams (mg).
Vitamin B6
Vitamin B6 has been clinically considered to help prevent heart disease and atherosclerosis. One reason is because it reduces levels of homocysteine, which can cause arteries to harden and usher in cardiovascular problems. Another thought is that the nutrient protects the heart, and the matter of homocysteine is simply an incidental side effect. It also reduces the risk of blood clots and lowers blood pressure a bit.
In one study, 304 patients who were being treated for coronary artery disease were evaluated for risk factors. It was found that vitamin-B6 deficiency was as much of a risk factor as smoking and high cholesterol were!8
A mild deficiency of vitamin B6 is pretty common; it’s probable that well over half the population doesn’t get enough of this vitamin. Along with confusion, depression, weight loss and skin problems, a severe deficiency could result in heart disease or a number of other serious conditions.
The RDI for vitamin B6 is two mg.

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