Best supplements for the heart – one to significantly lower dangerous build up in arteries

This Morning's Dr Chris discusses collagen supplements

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Heart disease is one of the leading causes of death for both men and women. It is estimated 7 million people in the UK are living with cardiovascular disease, which costs the NHS £6.8 billion a year. Ensuring you are following a healthy lifestyle will help to significantly reduce your risk. Taking supplements could also help boost your heart health.

Garlic has long been associated with health benefits from curing a cold to lowering blood pressure and cholesterol levels.

It is an excellent source of antioxidants, including selenium, vitamin C and quercetin (a phytochemical found in plants with anti-inflammatory capabilities).

Garlic also has small amounts of manganese, an essential component of some antioxidant enzymes helping to protect against cell damage.

A study published in Science Daily looked at how garlic supplements could help reduce dangerous plaque build-up in the arteries and could potentially help to prevent progression of heart disease.

The study involved 55 patients, aged 40 to 75 years, who had been diagnosed with metabolic syndrome.

Metabolic syndrome is characterised by obesity, hypertension and other cardiac risk factors.

The research, conducted at LA BioMed, found a reduction in the amount of low-attenuation plaque, or “soft plaque,” in the arteries of patients with metabolic syndrome who took Aged Garlic Extract.

A follow-up screening conducted a year after the initial screening found those who had taken Aged Garlic Extract had slowed total plaque accumulation by 80 percent, reduced soft plaque and demonstrated regression (less plaque on follow-up) for low-attenuation plaque.

“This study is another demonstration of the benefits of this supplement in reducing the accumulation of soft plaque and preventing the formation of new plaque in the arteries, which can cause heart disease,” said Dr Matthew Budoff, an LA BioMed lead researcher.

He continued: “We have completed four randomized studies, and they have led us to conclude that Aged Garlic Extract can help slow the progression of atherosclerosis and reverse the early stages of heart disease.”

In another study published in the Journal of Nutrition, garlic’s benefits for the heart were investigated.

The study found that garlic and garlic supplements may have positive effects on heart health by preventing cell damage, regulating cholesterol and lowering blood pressure.

The study analysed the Medline database for randomised controlled trials (RCTs) published between 1955 and December 2013 on the effect of garlic preparations on blood pressure, cholesterol and immunity.

The study concluded that garlic has been shown to have cardiovascular protective and immunomodulatory properties.

Other research shows that garlic supplements may also reduce plaque build-up in the arteries.

High blood pressure is one of the key risk factors for cardiovascular disease.

A 2019 study published in Experimental and Therapeutic Medicine showed that garlic supplements helped lower blood pressure significantly in participants.

Researchers determined that this change in blood pressure reduced the risk of cardiovascular disease by 16 to 40 percent.

The results came from an analysis of 12 studies involving 553 people diagnosed with high blood pressure.
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