Aloe Vera Juice & Heart Disease

Heart disease is a widespread problem in the United States. Many people trying to prevent or treat heart disease may look for different ways other than diet and exercise to help. The aloe vera plant has been used through history as a remedy to many ailments. Although supplements such as aloe vera juice may have many benefits, always consult your doctor first.

History

Aloe vera juice contains more than 200 ingredients that may include health benefits. The aloe vera plant can be traced back 6,000 years to Egypt. The Egyptians honored the plant with stone carvings, deeming it the "plant of immortality," according to the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine. They also buried the aloe plant with their pharaohs. Aloe was most often used for treating wounds and other skin conditions, as well as constipation.

Aloe Vera Juice

While there are more than 250 species of aloe, aloe vera juice is made from the most common type known for its medicinal value, aloe barbadensis. The aloe vera plant has anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties. It contains antiseptic agents such as lupeol, salicylic acid, urea nitrogen, cinnamic acid, phenol and sulfur, according to the Healthy Life website. The green, succulent leaves have a transparent gel made up of mostly water. The gel and the green part of the leaf that surrounds the gel are used to make aloe vera juice.

Heart Disease

Heart disease describes a range of diseases that affect the heart or blood vessels, according to the Mayo Clinic's website. Some of the diseases that fall under this broad term include coronary artery disease, heart rhythm problems and heart defects. Heart disease is the number one killer in the United States and the term is often used interchangeably with cardiovascular disease. Cardiovascular disease is blocked or narrowed arteries that can result in a heart attack or stroke. Risks of heart disease include high cholesterol and high blood pressure.

Significance

Aloe vera juice may help to improve blood circulation, dilating capillaries and enlarging blood vessels, but studies are limited and scientific evidence is lacking. It may also help to strengthen veins and arteries, according to the Aloe Vera Plant website. Beta sitosterol, a plant sterol found in aloe vera, is structurally similar to cholesterol and has the ability to replace it in the body, according to Drugs.com. According to a study published in the 2000 issue of the British Medical Journal, beta sitosterol helps to lower cholesterol. By regulating blood pressure, improving circulation and lowering cholesterol, aloe vera juice may be able to help lower the risk of heart disease.

Considerations

The aloe vera plant is a member of the lily family and some people may be allergic. Side effects of aloe vera juice can include cramping and diarrhea. According to the Mayo Clinic, use of aloe vera internally for more than one year may increase the risk of colorectal cancer. Those with diabetes should use caution with aloe taken by mouth as it may lower blood sugar.