The heart has more demands on it than most other organs in the body. It is constantly working, and it needs to be kept in optimal condition in order for you to live a productive and active life. Many people are looking into the role of vitamins as a means to keep their heart healthy. While with some vitamins the scientific evidence is mixed, there are others that are known to be beneficial to heart health.
Vitamin D
Vitamin D is well known for its role in healthy bones. According to a report from the University of Maryland Medical Center, without vitamin D the body would not be able to absorb calcium to keep bones strong. A study review published in the July 2009 issue of "Current Vascular Pharmacology" informs that vitamin D is also a major player in preventing cardiovascular disease, possibly due to its role in reducing inflammation. The main sources of vitamin D are sunlight, cod liver oil, fatty fish, eggs, and fortified cereals.
B Vitamins
Homocysteine is an amino acid component of the blood and, according to the American Heart Association, too much of it can lead to an increased risk of stroke and heart disease. There is good news, however, and that is the evidence is clear that B vitamins, specifically folic acid, B6, and B12, lower blood levels of homocysteine. The National Institutes of Health published a report in which researchers from the University of Bonn, in Germany, reviewed the role of homocysteine in the development of atherosclerosis and found that B vitamins significantly reduced homocysteine levels. Leafy green vegetables and fruit offer high levels of dietary B vitamins and are recommended by the American Heart Association.
Anti-Oxidant Vitamin Debate
While there is no doubt that the anti-oxidant vitamins (beta-carotene, C, and E) have a positive impact on overall health issues, heart health may not be one of them. Studies on these vitamins have been controversial. One study published in the Aug. 12, 2008, online issue of the journal "Cardiology" states that use of vitamins C and E can reduce the risk of death from heart attack. On the other hand, a study reported in the Nov. 12, 2008, issue of the "Journal of American Medical Association" declares that the use of vitamins C and E have no effect on the outcome of cardiac events.
Due to the debate, the American Heart Association has taken a stand on the use of anti-oxidants for heart health. They do not recommend using anti-oxidant vitamin supplements, but rather suggest obtaining anti-oxidants through a healthy diet. (see comments section #2)
