Coronary artery disease, or CAD, is not only the most common type of heart disease, it is also the leading cause of death in the United States. CAD is a condition where plaque becomes hardened and builds up inside the arteries, and the buildup results in narrowed arteries; consequently, there is inadequate blood flow to the heart. Antioxidants and vitamins may be helpful for preventing the plaque buildup and in slowing the progression of CAD. Certain supplements can be toxic in high doses however, and you should therefore consult with your health care practitioner before taking any new supplement.
Antioxidant Importance
Free radicals are highly reactive substances that attack and damage the body's cells, and antioxidants are consider the antithesis to free radicals; they neutralize the free radicals before they cause bodily damage. According to David Rowland in his book "The Nutritional Bypass," free radicals may play a direct role in hardening of the arteries; therefore, consuming extra antioxidants is recommended for CAD sufferers. The Canadian School of Natural Nutrition, or CSNN, recommends taking a mixed antioxidant supplement that contains a blend of alpha-lipoic acid, beta-carotene, selenium, lycopene, lutein and coenzyme Q10, daily.
Vitamin C
Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant, and Rowland says that it stimulates the production of a substance called lipoprotein lipase, which helps to dissolve fats on the artery walls. Phyllis Balch states in her book "Prescription for Nutritional Healing" that vitamin C also helps to lower high blood pressure. For therapeutic purposes Rowland recommends taking 4,000 to 4,400 mg of vitamin C daily, in divided doses.
Vitamin E
Vitamin E is another powerful antioxidant vitamin, and Rowland says it encourages healing of the damaged artery walls. It also helps to keep the blood thin and not sticky, and to prevent and dissolve blood clots that might otherwise lead to heart attacks or strokes. Balch adds that vitamin E helps to strengthen the muscles of the heart and improve blood circulation. For CAD support, Balch suggests taking 100 international units (I.U.) daily of vitamin E and slowly working your way up over the course of two months, to a daily intake of 800 I.U. daily.
Vitamin B6, B12 and Folic Acid
Vitamins B6, B12 and folic acid, are three important B vitamins that can all help to lower homocysteine levels. They are important because a high homocysteine level is associated with an elevated risk of heart attack in CAD sufferers, according to CSNN. For therapeutic purposes, CSNN recommends taking 25 mg of vitamin B6 daily, 500 mcg of vitamin B12 daily and 1 mg of folic acid daily. Niacin is another important B vitamin, and CSNN says that it can lower the unhealthy LDL cholesterol and triglyceride levels, while raising the healthy HDL cholesterol levels. They recommend supplementing with 1.5 to 3 g of niacin daily, but warn that if you have a known liver disorder, you should not take niacin supplements.
References
- "Prescription for Nutritional Healing"; Phyllis Balch; 2003
- "Pathology and Nutrition"; The Canadian School of Natural Nutrition; 2008
- "The Nutritional Bypass"; David Rowland; 2006
