Heart Health Supplements: Are They Really Good for Your Heart?

Coenzyme Q10 - A substance naturally produced by the body, it is otherwise known as ubiquinone or ubiquinol. Its main function is to lower blood pressure alone or in combination with other medications, most especially heart failure drugs. It may also be used to counteract the side effects of statins, a.k.a. cholesterol-lowering drugs. Food sources include organ meats (i.e. heart, kidney, and liver), sardines, mackerel, soy oil, and peanuts.

Omega-3 Fatty Acids: Commonly obtained from fish oil, this essential fatty acid helps reduce the amount of unhealthy fats in the body by up to 30%. It may also help lower blood pressure, although there's no clear proof if it can reduce the risk for stroke and heart attack.

Fiber: Naturally abundant in fruits and vegetables, but if you can't obtain enough from diet, getting them from supplements is another option. Its main function is to reduce the amount of cholesterol our body takes in from food (source). It lowers the amount of LDL cholesterol (a.k.a. "bad" cholesterol) and increases the amount of HDL cholesterol (a.k.a "good" cholesterol). The most popular fiber added to heart health supplements include psyllium husk, wheat dextrin, calcium polycarbophil, and methylcellulose (source). When taking fiber supplements, be sure to increase your water intake.

Magnesium: A reliable predictor of heart disease, adequate levels of this nutrient is said to reduce the risk of high blood pressure (source), high blood cholesterol(source), atherosclerosis(source), arteriosclerosis(source), and soft tissue calcifications(source). It comes in many forms, with magnesium sulfate (a.k.a. Epsom salt) being the most common.

L-Carnitine: An amino acid involved in energy production by the cells. It supports the use of fats as the main energy source. Its other benefits include maintaining normal heart function and reducing the symptoms of angina. Furthermore, L-carnitine may also reduce the damage brought about by heart attack and chronic heart failure (source).

Green Tea: This popular drink may help lower total cholesterol levels according to several studies. In effect, it also lowers risk for heart disease. It also has powerful antioxidant effects, which help protect the cells against free radical damage (source).