MATTERS OF THE HEART: Supporting Cardio Health, Naturally!
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has reported that “nearly 800,000 Americans die each year from heart disease, stroke, and other cardiovascular diseases, accounting for one in every three deaths. About one in every six U.S. healthcare dollars is spent on cardiovascular disease.”
Cardiovascular disease is largely preventable, despite misconceptions. Through lifestyle and health management it is possible to promote and even restore healthy heart function. Appropriate nutrition and fun, sweaty, activities (exercise) can significantly reduce chances for a heart related problem.
Coenzyme Q10 and L-Carnitine Fumarate are two key nutrients that support cardiovascular health. In addition to a well-rounded, heart healthy lifestyle, you may want to consider using these supplements to support energy production, detoxification, and eventually weight management.
CoQ10: Essential for Quality of Life
Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) is an important electron transporter in biological tissues and is also a potent antioxidant. It is available in two forms: ubiquinone (oxidized) and ubiquinol (reduced).
The mitochondria are the power stations of our cells and CoQ10 is a vital factor in energy production. The electron transport energy system in the mitochondria can make more energy (in the form of ATP) than any other energy producing system in the body. However, without CoQ10 there is much diminished production of ATP. Without ATP there is no cellular energy. Without cellular energy there is cell death. CoQ10 has, therefore, rightly been referred to as the essential nutrient for maintenance of quality of life.
CoQ10 is known to be highly concentrated in heart muscle cells due to the high-energy requirements of these cells. For example, congestive heart failure (from a wide variety of causes) has been strongly correlated with the significantly low blood and tissue levels of CoQ10. The severity of heart failure correlates with the severity of the CoQ10 deficiency. This CoQ10 deficiency can easily be treated thus slowing the progression of heart failure.
CoQ10 is responsible for:
Increasing energy production in the heart
Increasing the heart’s ability to contract
Lowering blood pressure
Production of CoQ10 is known to reduce with age and additionally because of certain dietary deprivations like the lack of good fats. Medications such as statin drugs can reduce CoQ10 production typically by about 50%. Statin medications also carry a lot of side effects. So, it makes sense for anyone on statin medication to consider supplementation with CoQ10 for natural support.
L-Carnitine Fumarate: Improved Energy, Cardiac Function & Weight Management
L-Carnitine Fumarate is another valuable heart healthy nutrient. This amino acid-like nutrient is found naturally in the body. It can be synthesized within the body from the amino acids lysine or methionine. L-Carnitine Fumarate plays a major role in efficiently burning fat by transporting long chain fatty acids to the mitochondria. This makes it possible for the mitochondria to make more energy available for exercise and other daily activities. This process makes L-Carnitine Fumarate helpful for weight loss as well.
Carnitine supports cardiovascular health by enhanced fat burning in the heart muscle. Carnitine also significantly lowers LDL cholesterol levels while raising HDL cholesterol levels. It helps to keep coronary arteries clear, lowers high triglycerides , and can help lower blood pressure in those with hypertension. Studies have shown that carnitine can considerably improve the health of cardiac cells even in a phase needing valve replacement .
Whether you simply want to maintain a high level of health, or are seeking to enhance heart or brain function, consult with your healthcare professional for guidance—not only for proper dosages, but to insure you use a high quality product with optimal uptake and protective properties, available locally at First State Health & Wellness.
