Vitamins and Heart DiseaseWe all know that a fatty diet can lead to heart disease and vitamins are good for us. But do we know enough about how vitamins are good for our heart health? What is Heart Disease?Heart disease is the number one cause of death in Canada for people over age forty-five. One in two people will die of a broken heart in Canada and the US, not to mention the heartache suffered by family members and friends. And yet, heart disease is one of the most preventable diseases in the western world.
You do not have to think too hard or long about the connection between diet and heart disease. Cardiovascular diseases include various types of heart disease and other conditions affecting the blood vessels that lead to stroke. It's well-known that unhealthy fats (trans fats being the best known culprits) contribute to unhealthy cholesterol levels and blood pressure levels, and to hardening of the arteries (atherosclerosis) and blood clots that can lead to stroke. But bad fats are not the end of the story in heart disease and stroke. Just as with any nutritional element, you cannot simply get rid of the black sheep of the family without looking at the inter-relationships of that black sheep with the rest of the flock. You have to look at the whole family dynamic, specifically how other members in the nutritional group are supporting or otherwise influencing the behaviour of the scape goat. Some fats are necessary in the diet, and some vitamins are necessary for ensuring that fats are used by the body in healthy ways. There are many nutrients related to heart disease, including the all-important omega-3 fatty acids and selenium, but let's just look at the role of the white sheep among the group of vitamins that may play a role in preventing and treating heart disease. What Vitamins Are Beneficial to Heart Health?In the vitamin category of the overall nutritional plan for a healthy heart, we should pay special attention to:
The B Vitamins and Heart DiseaseFolic Acid (vitamin B3) along with Vitamin B6 and B12 help decrease homocysteine, which is an amino acid that appears to contribute to heart disease. Elevated homocysteine increases the risk of death from heart disease six-fold. It appears that Folate and B6 have a direct impact on homocysteine, while Vitamin B12 is necessary to the functions of folate in doing so. Niacin, (formerly known as Vitamin B2), when taken with chromium, has been found to lower overall blood cholesterol and raise good cholesterol (HDLs). Vitamins E and CVitamin C and Vitamin E help to reverse atherosclerosis, better known as hardening of the arteries. The antioxidant properties of Vitamins E and C prevent oxidation of 'bad cholesterol' (LDLs), which cause plaques to form on the arterial walls, leading to restricted arteries and blood clots. Several studies have shown a relationship between low blood levels of Vitamin E and increased incidence of heart disease, meaning that taking Vitamin E could prevent heart disease. Aside from the antioxidant activities, Vitamin E also improves blood flow to the extremities and helps lower blood pressure, and reduces the risk of blood clots that can lead to heart attack and stroke. Vitamin E is especially important to women who take the Pill — estrogen in contraceptives increases the risk of blood clots, Vitamin E reduces the risk. Foods and Vitamins for a Healthy HeartVitamin C is easily found in most fresh fruits and vegetables, with the orange and yellow ones also being a good source of beta-carotenes. (For maximum Vitamin C benefits, eat vegetables raw, and if cooking, steam just until cooked.) Good food sources of vitamin E are:
 can help protect your heart and give you peace of mind.
Vitamins and Heart MedicationSome drugs prescribed for reducing blood pressure and lowering cholesterol deplete essential vitamins and other nutrients, possibly leading to health problems in addition to the heart disease you're dealing with — including other heart problems!. Consult your doctor about the medication you are taking to treat heart disease and vitamins you may be missing out on, and ask whether you should be taking supplements to replace them.
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