Key Takeaways:
- Supplements such as omega-3, CoQ-10, ubiquinol and B-vitamins can help fill nutritional gaps and offer cardiovascular support.*
- Lifestyle choices involving exercise, stress and restful sleep can also help support heart health.
It’s never too soon to start thinking about your heart health. Making supplements a part of your daily routine can give your heart the added support it needs. But which supplements should you take to support your heart health? Keep reading to discover four of the most important supplements for heart health, according to science and the researchers at Solgar®.
1. Omega-3 Fatty Acids
When you think of heart health supplements, omega-3 fatty acids are probably what jumps to mind — and for good reason. However, nearly 70% of adults and 95% of children in the United States do not consume enough long-chain omega-3s to meet nutritional needs based on the US Dietary Guidelines.1
Omega-3s are among the most important nutrients when it comes to cardiovascular health. There are three types of omega-3 fatty acids: alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). EPAs and DHAs are considered “long-chain,” and are mainly derived from fish oil. ALAs are considered “short-chain” omega-3 fatty acids. The body can produce EPA and DHA from short-chain omega-3s such as ALA, but conversion is poor at an average rate of less than 10%.
While ALA is the only omega-3 fatty acid considered “essential” to the body, EPA and DHA are especially important for supporting heart and cardiovascular health. For a variety of reasons, many people do not get enough high-quality long-chain omega-3s such as EPA and DHA.
How to eat for heart health
To increase your intake of omega-3 fatty acids, The American Heart Association recommends eating two servings of fish (particularly fatty fish) each week to obtain EPA and DHA omega-3 fatty acids.2 Nuts and seeds (such as flaxseed, chia seeds, and walnuts) are also great sources of ALA omega-3 fatty acids.3
If you’re struggling to incorporate enough heart-healthy foods into your diet, consider taking a quality omega-3 supplement instead.
Omega-3 supplements for heart health
Solgar® Triple Strength Omega-3 950 mg Softgels: With 950 mg of omega-3 per serving, this formula is Solgar®’s highest concentration of EPA and DHA from cold-water fish. It supports cardiovascular, joint, and skin health.*
Solgar® Flaxseed Oil Softgels: Flaxseed oil is one of the most concentrated vegetarian sources of omega-3 found in nature. The ALA in our flaxseed oil softgels helps to support cellular, heart and skin health.* The softgel form is easy to take, and it’s also cold pressed without the use of chemical solvents.
Solgar® Omega-3 Vegetarian DHA Softgels: DHA is difficult to find in vegetarian foods, and almost nonexistent in vegan-friendly food. To ensure you’re getting enough DHA without adding fatty fish to your diet, try these vegan DHA omega-3 softgels. Made with trademarked algal oil, they give you the DHA you’re looking for.
Solgar® Earth Source® Organic Flaxseed Oil: This supplement is one of the most concentrated vegan sources of omega-3s (alpha-linolenic acid), while also providing omega-6 (linoleic acid) and omega-9 (oleic acid) fatty acids. It’s cold pressed without chemicals and has a light nutty taste.
2. CoQ-10
Coenzyme-Q10, also known as CoQ-10, is a fat-soluble antioxidant compound that the body naturally produces to help generate cellular energy.* CoQ-10 helps in the production of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) levels, which supports the normal physiological function of the heart.4 ATP is an energy-carrying molecule found in the cells of all living things. CoQ-10 also helps fight free radicals, which are unstable compounds that may play a role in oxidative stress.*
CoQ-10 production decreases with age, and many older people have suboptimal levels of this compound, which is why taking a CoQ-10 supplement can be valuable.
CoQ-10 supplements for heart health
Solgar® Megasorb CoQ-10 Softgels: Available in a variety of dosages to suit your needs, these softgels support heart health and cellular energy metabolism, and come in an oil-based form for optimal absorption and assimilation.*
Solgar® Vegan CoQ-10 Vegetable Capsules: This heart-healthy vegan formulation of CoQ-10 comes in a convenient two-piece capsule for those on a plant-based diet.*
3. Ubiquinol
Ubiquinol is the reduced form of CoQ-10 and is active and bioavailable for the body, meaning that it is more easily used by the body than regular CoQ-10 (ubiquinone).5 Ubiquinol is naturally present in the body, with over 80% of plasma CoQ-10 in the form of ubiquinol.
Ubiquinol supplements for heart health
Solgar® Ubiquinol Softgels: These softgels provide the body with a form of CoQ-10 that is in a ready-to-use state to fight free radicals.* Solgar® Ubiquinol 100 mg is offered in oil-based softgels to ensure optimal absorption and assimilation.
Solgar® Ubiquinol Kosher Softgels: These kosher softgels help provide advanced antioxidant support to help fight free radicals in the body in oil-based softgels to ensure optimal absorption and assimilation.*
4. B-Vitamin Complex
The B-vitamin complex is made up of eight different vitamins, and can help support a healthy heart.*
To understand how B-vitamins help support heart health, you have to first understand the role of homocysteine. Homocysteine is a common amino acid in your blood. Elevated homocysteine levels can affect the function of the cardiovascular system.6
B-vitamins, particularly folic acid and vitamin B12, may help promote healthy homocysteine levels already within their normal range.7*
The body can’t make B-vitamins, which means you need to get it through your diet. In food, this includes milk, cheese, chicken, red meat and spinach. If these kinds of foods aren’t common in your diet, a supplement is an easy way to fill the gaps.
B-vitamin supplement for heart health
Solgar® B Complex “100” Vegetable Capsules: Among its many benefits, one tablet a day of this essential vitamin complex helps maintain cardiovascular and nervous system health, while also supporting energy metabolism.* And, it’s non-GMO, vegan, gluten-free, dairy-free, and kosher!
How to lead a heart-healthy lifestyle
Daily Exercise
Exercise is one of the best things you can do for your heart.
Regular exercise strengthens the heart and supports the body’s ability to utilize oxygen. Better use of oxygen improves circulation, which makes daily tasks less strenuous on the heart. And there’s more: doing cardio is linked to a positive mood and lower stress. Put it together, daily exercise and lower stress can lead to better sleep which can support heart health – it’s all interconnected.
What type of exercise is best for heart health?
The American Heart Association recommends at least 150 minutes per week of moderate-intensity aerobic activity, or 75 minutes of vigorous aerobic activity (or a combination of both). You should also consider adding moderate to high-intensity muscle-strengthening activity (such as resistance training or weights) at least two days per week.8
Manage your stress levels
Occasional stress can also indirectly affect you by impairing your decision making. For example, when you are stressed you may succumb more easily to eating high-sugar and low-nutrition foods, smoking, or excessive drinking — all of which can damage the heart.
Building healthy stress-management techniques into your life can help support a healthy heart. Consider meditation, talking to loved ones, journaling or going for a brisk walk.
Get restful sleep
Sleep is a crucial time for your heart to recover from the day. While asleep, blood pressure lowers and heart rate slows down. On the other hand, lack of sleep can cause your body to release the stress hormone cortisol which can negatively affect the heart.
If sleep is an issue for you, routine may help: you can create healthier sleep habits by reducing exposure to bright light an hour before bed, making sure to get at least seven hours of sleep, and setting a consistent bedtime so your body knows when it’s time to doze off.
Getting to the heart of the matter
It’s never too early to start thinking about your heart health. There are many nutritional supplements you can take and lifestyle choices you can make to help support a healthy heart. Remember that a little goes a long way, and you can always build your way to healthier habits. Here’s to your heart-healthy journey!
For more tips on maintaining a healthy lifestyle, and for the latest on new Solgar® products, follow us on Instagram! (@solgar)
*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.
The information provided on this site is intended for your general knowledge only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice or treatment for specific medical conditions. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. The information on this website is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. Never disregard medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on the Solgar® site.
