Dr. Lark: Heart Healthy Supplements

June 13, 2004

Heart Health

Heart Healthy Nutrients

The body’s cells require

a vast array of nutrients for optimal heart function. Many of these

can be found in conventional multivitamin-multimineral supplements.

That’s why any time I put a woman on a nutrient program I start

by recommending that she optimize the amounts of key nutrients in

her daily supplement program by choosing a high-potency multi-nutrient.

The more advanced multi-nutrients will contain

many of the most important nutrients including the ones listed below.

However, check dosages carefully to be sure you’re getting the levels

you need for maximum heart protection.

Digestive Enzymes

Instead of the daily baby aspirin many physicians recommend to reduce

risk of stroke and heart disease, I recommend supplemental digestive

enzymes. Like aspirin, dietary enzymes have an anti-inflammatory

effect that helps reduce blood clotting and clumping. But unlike

aspirin, they have no side effects.

Bromelain: 500-1,000 mg four

times per day apart from meals. (Don’t exceed 4,000 mg daily.)

Papain: 200-300 mg four times a day, apart

from meals.

Pancreatin: one or two 300-500 mg tablets

four times daily, apart from meals.

B-complex vitamins (Folic acid, 400-800

per day)

B vitamins help to balance homocysteine levels—an ugly amino

acid that weakens artery walls through free radical damage.

Coenzyme Q10 (30-100 mg per day. I prefer

an oil-based CoQ10 capsule.)

CoQ10 enhances the pumping and electrical functions of the heart

and improves energy production within heart muscle cells. If you

take statin drugs, take 200 mg of CoQ10 daily and watch closely

for signs of muscle pain or weakness.

Hawthorn (100-300 mg of hawthorn per day)

This herb improves blood supply to the heart and metabolic processes

which results in increased force of heart muscle contractions and

the elimination of some rhythm disturbances.

L-Carnitine (1,500-2,000 mg per day)

Working synergistically with CoQ10, L-Carnitine improves energy

production in the heart cells. Side effects are rare and occur mostly

at higher doses.

Omega-3 Fatty Acids: All three of the

following oils are excellent sources of omega-3 fatty acids.

Fish oil: 200 to 300 mg per day, or

Evening primrose oil: 3,000 to 4,000 mg per day, or

Cold-pressed flaxseed oil: 1 to 2 tablespoons per day.

Read More on Heart Health:

Getting Started

Assessing Your Heart Health

Different Gender, Different Symptoms

Quiz: What Is Your Risk of Heart Disease?

Keep it SIMPLE Heart tip — Fiber, Fiber, Fiber

Nutritional Therapies

Heart Healthy Nutrients

Foods That Help Your Heart, Foods That Hurt It

Mineral Deficiencies Lead to Heart Problems

Complementary Therapies

Flapping Wings Exercise

Think With Your Heart