Angina is a squeezing, tightness or heaviness in the chest area caused by your heart not getting enough oxygen. Angina usually occurs during activity or stress, but occasionally can be felt at rest. Angina is a symptom of heart disease and is a sign your arteries have narrowed. To decrease the severity of angina, follow a heart-healthy diet that includes vitamins and minerals such as zinc.
Angina
There are two types of angina -- stable and unstable. Stable angina is mostly predictable, You experience it when the body is under stress and the heart cannot keep up. Stable angina usually subsides with rest. Unstable angina occurs randomly, even at rest. Unstable angina is usually more serious. Seek medical attention if your angina pain does not subside with rest, is unstable, or becomes increasingly severe.
Zinc
Zinc plays a role in cellular metabolism, DNA synthesis, protein synthesis, immune function and wound healing. It also has been found to be a risk factor for heart disease. A study published in the "Journal of the American College of Nutrition," reports a deficiency in zinc can increase prevalence of heart disease and many risk factors that lead to heart disease. Zinc deficiency can be hard to diagnose, but it is a very serious condition. If you experience loss of appetite, loss of hair, diarrhea, taste abnormalities or wounds that are slow to heal, consult your doctor immediately. These can be signs of a possible deficiency.
Zinc and Angina
In a scholarly review published on the National Center for Biotechnical Information website, researchers concluded that taking high amounts of zinc should be considered as a therapy for decreasing plaque and high cholesterol in the arteries. Researchers found this therapy also can increase the necessary blood flow and oxygen to the heart and decrease the frequency of angina pain. Researchers also reported high amounts of zinc, 300 mg and above, have been administered under close physician care and have shown to decrease angina pain and increase cardiac function.
Sources of Zinc
The body does not store zinc and therefore it must be consumed regularly. According to the National Institutes of Health, the average male should consume 11 mg of zinc and the average female should consume 8 mg of zinc daily. This amount can be obtained by eating a balanced diet. Oysters contain more zinc than any other food, but eating beef and poultry will provide a sufficient amount. Other sources include beans, cashew nuts and yogurt. If you are not obtaining enough zinc, your physician may prescribe a supplement. Never start a zinc supplement without consulting a physician first.
References
- Medline Plus: Angina
- Mayo Clinic: Angina
- "Journal of the American College of Nutrition"; Current Zinc Intake and Risk of Diabetes and Coronary Artery Disease and Factors Associated with Insulin Resistance in Rural and Urban Populations of North India; Singh et. al; December 1998
- "Medical Hypotheses"; High-dose zinc to terminate angina pectoris: a review and hypothesis for action by ICAM inhibition; Eby et. al; August 2005
- Office of Dietary Supplements National Institutes of Health: Zinc
Member Comments