Top 7 Nutrients For A Healthy Heart
February is American Heart Month, and it is the perfect time to focus on the importance of maintaining a healthy heart. After all, your heart is key to your overall well-being, and its health is impacted by a number of factors including age, genetics, and most importantly, lifestyle choices. In particular, choices related to your diet play an overwhelmingly important role in keeping your heart ticking healthily.
If you’re wondering if your diet is setting your heart up for success, then stick around because we are going to take a closer look at the exact role nutrition plays here and the key nutrients needed for a strong and healthy heart.
Nutrition and Your Heart
Each major organ in your body needs a specific group of nutrients to function properly, and your heart is no exception. Because of this, nutrition plays a crucial role in maintaining a healthy cardiovascular system. The food you consume has a direct impact on the functioning of both your heart and blood vessels. A balanced diet that is rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, and healthy fats can help you manage your weight, blood pressure, and cholesterol, which all lead to a healthier, stronger heart.
Research has shown that a diet high in processed foods, sugar, and saturated and trans fats can lead to a degradation of heart health and a variety of heart-related concerns. Thus, it is essential to make informed food choices and follow a healthy diet that will provide your whole cardiovascular system with all the vital nutrients it needs to function properly.
Heart-Healthy Nutrients
Now that you’re clear on the importance of nutrition when it comes to maintaining a healthy heart, it may be helpful to know which specific heart-healthy nutrients you should be getting from your diet.
1. CoQ10
Short for Coenzyme Q10, CoQ10 is a naturally occurring compound found in the body that is involved in energy production. It is also an antioxidant and has been shown to have heart-protective effects. While it is naturally produced by the body, you can supplement your body’s natural supply of this important compound by consuming foods like salmon, sardines, pork, chicken, and eggs or by taking a natural CoQ10 supplement.
2. Omega-3
Omega-3 fatty acids are a type of polyunsaturated fat found in certain foods and supplements. They are one of the few types of fats that aren’t naturally synthesized from your body. This, combined with the fact that they have several heart-protective effects, means that getting them from your diet is essential. The top known sources of Omega-3 include salmon, flaxseed, and chia seeds.
3. Vitamins B and D
We all know that our diets should include a variety of vitamins, and when it comes to heart health, vitamins B and D are particularly important. B vitamins play a role in regulating your body’s levels of an amino acid known as homocysteine, which if left unchecked can be harmful for your heart. Meanwhile, low levels of vitamin D have been linked to a number of heart-related health concerns. If you’re looking to get both of these types of vitamins from the same source, fish like salmon, mackerel, and sardines are some of the best options. If you’re following a vegan or vegetarian diet, your options include foods like leafy greens, grains, cereals, and plant-based milks that are fortified, and natural whole food supplements.
4. Fiber
Fiber is a type of carbohydrate that is not digested by the body and helps promote healthy digestion and regularity. However, the benefits of fiber go far beyond the digestive system. In fact, eating a high-fiber diet may help with the regulation of things like cholesterol, blood pressure, and blood glucose levels. Fresh fruits and vegetables are some of the best sources of fiber.
5. Antioxidants
Antioxidants are compounds that protect cells from damage caused by harmful molecules called free radicals. Including them in your diet can help reduce oxidative stress throughout your body, which ultimately has a positive impact on not only your cardiovascular system but also your overall health. Antioxidants can be found in a wide range of foods, including fruits, vegetables, and whole grains.
6. Magnesium
This mineral plays a crucial role in many bodily functions, including heart health. One of the most important roles of magnesium is to regulate nerve function throughout the body, particularly in the heart where it helps coordinate the nerves that initiate a heartbeat with the contractions of the heart muscle. Good food sources of magnesium include leafy greens, nuts, seeds, and whole grains.
7. Polyphenols
Polyphenols are a specific type of antioxidant found in plant-based foods such as fruits, vegetables, tea, and coffee. They have numerous benefits for your health including reducing oxidative stress, maintaining healthy cholesterol levels, and supporting healthy blood pressure.
Energize Your Heart
Give your heart a little extra support this month and beyond by incorporating a heart-healthy supplement like Energize into your daily routine. Energize contains a powerful combination of medicinal mushrooms, CoQ10, and organic Wild Microalgae® to provide your heart with the support it needs to keep up with you.
The best part? You can put Energize to the test risk-free with our 90-day money-back guarantee.
At New Earth we are on a mission to positively impact the health of every body and soul we come in contact with. We specialize in producing third-party certified, organic whole food supplements including a variety of probiotics, and digestive support. Our supplements feature a rare, yet highly nutritious superfood, Aphanizomenon flos-aquae (AFA). Also known as organic Wild Microalgae®, AFA is a unique type of microalgae that is available in many forms including tablets, capsules, and powders all designed to help you on your journey to holistic wellness. The best part? We offer a 90-day money-back risk-free guarantee on all of our products. Visit our website to learn more.
