What Vitamins Have A Positive Impact On Heart Rate?

You cannot avoid the connection between your health and your diet. What you consume inevitably affects the health of your body's organs and operation; your heart is no exception. If you consume a large quantity of refined fats, starches and sugars, you will likely be overweight, and this puts your heart at risk. If you avoid foods that replenish your body's stores of vitamins and minerals, your heart will also suffer. Conversely, an abundance of heart-healthy foods in your diet will improve the health of your heart. Vitamins are necessary for hundreds of body functions. Certain vitamins and minerals are particularly beneficial for your heart. For your body to be able to absorb and utilize sufficient quantities of vitamins, they must be a part of your daily diet or obtained through the use of high-quality bioavailable nutritional supplements.

Vitamin D

If a person possesses good stores of vitamin D in his body, he will not have an increased heart rate. The normal heart rate for an adult is 60 to 100 beats per minute, and you will experience palpitations if your heart rate exceeds that range. According to the American Journal of Cardiology, vitamin D produces beneficial effects on your heart rate, although further research would be helpful in evaluating the role of vitamin D on the heart and blood vessels. Doctors at Mayo Clinic report that vitamin D stabilizes blood vessels and improves their performance which, in turn, normalizes your heart rate.

Vitamins C and E

According to the Mayo Clinic, it is estimated that other vitamins, such as vitamins C and E, also produce beneficial effects on the heart and blood vessels. Since these vitamins stabilize the blood vessels like vitamin D does, your normal heart rate is restored and you acquire greater cardiovascular benefits. The way in which these vitamins control heart rate is still uncertain, so further evaluation and research is under way.

Minerals

Besides vitamins, which are essential for the normalization of your heart rate, certain minerals are also required inside the body to control the contraction of the heart and blood vessels and the transportation of ions. Calcium, magnesium, potassium and sodium are the fundamental electrolytes that are necessary for your heart to contract and relax properly. Increased calcium, magnesium and sodium enhance the heart rate, whereas increased potassium produces the opposite effect and slows down the heart contraction. Dr. Parveen Kumar, author of "Clinical Medicine," suggests that it is necessary to keep these electrolytes balanced.

General Considerations

There are several other factors that work along with the vitamins to control your heart rate. For instance, your level of physical activity, cholesterol levels, smoking habits and health conditions such as diabetes are important factors that may alter the pace of your heartbeat. Diet and weight should be considered when you are attempting to control your heart rate and blood pressure. Consult your physician for appropriate diagnosis and treatment suggestions.