Heart disease is one of the leading causes of death worldwide. People often use natural supplements alongside prescription medications to manage heart health. Knowing how to identify high-quality, effective supplements for heart health is essential.
Assess your needs
Before choosing a supplement, reflect on your specific heart health goals. Are you hoping to lower blood pressure, reduce inflammation, improve circulation, lower cholesterol, or support overall cardiovascular function? Getting clear on your needs and concerns will make it easier to identify appropriate supplements. Those with high cholesterol want to consider red yeast rice, plant sterols, or omega-3s, while inflated blood pressure could benefit from magnesium, garlic extract, or hawthorn berry. Consider your lifestyle, medical history, and health objectives when deciding which heart supplements to try.
Quality heart supplements include active ingredients backed by scientific research. For instance, a recent study found that 3 grams of omega-3 fatty acids per day significantly reduced the risk of heart attack and other cardiovascular events. Ask your doctor if you have questions about the efficacy of specific ingredients like CoQ10, vitamin D, ginger, turmeric, or others. Verify that the best supplements to lower cholesterol contains sufficient active compound to be therapeutically effective. Beware of proprietary blends that don’t disclose exact amounts.
Check the source
The purity and potency of supplements hinge greatly on their raw ingredients and manufacturing processes. Seek out brands that source components from reputable suppliers that follow Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP). Contaminants like heavy metals, pesticides, bacteria, or other adulterants could undermine quality and safety. Also, confirm that fillers, binders, or other additives meet safety standards. If sourcing details are unclear or undisclosed, consider that a red flag. Scrutinize supplement labels closely, watching for red flags like exaggerated claims or suspiciously low prices. Quality heart health supplements should be clear and direct about purported benefits and supported uses. Watch for third party verification marks like USP or NSF, indicating independent testing for purity and potency. If a product seems vaguely marketed as a “cure all” or sounds too good to be true, proceed cautiously. Reliable companies have no problem clearly stating ingredients, sourcing, testing protocols, etc.
Consult reviews from reliable sources
Don’t just take a brand’s word when assessing supplement quality. Check independent sites like ConsumerLab.com that scientifically test popular supplements to verify their composition and dissolve rates. Also, reference reputable health sites like Mayo Clinic and Cleveland Clinic when researching a specific ingredient. For unbiased consumer feedback, browse Amazon or specialty retailer reviews. But use discretion and check sources carefully, being wary of fake testimonials. Use a weighted approach across multiple credible sources.
Talk to your doctor
While supplement shopping, don’t forget to involve the expert opinion of your physician. They help assess proposed heart regimens for safety and potential interactions with any medications you take. Also, have your doctor review baseline blood work to identify vitamin deficiencies before supplementation. Ongoing blood draws during supplementation confirm the product is delivering metabolically. Doctors also refer patients to pharmacists and registered dietitians for additional input on smart supplementation.
