Want Optimal Heart Health? Don't Miss These 5 Nutrients (Some May Shock You)

Who knew the heart had so many nutritional allies?

MikeTyes

Aug 1, 2023 - 21:02

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Want Optimal Heart Health? Don't Miss These 5 Nutrients (Some May Shock You)

mbg Supplement Editor

By Morgan Chamberlain

mbg Supplement Editor

Morgan Chamberlain is a supplement editor at mindbodygreen. She graduated from Syracuse University with a Bachelor of Science degree in magazine journalism and a minor in nutrition.

Image by Miquel Llonch / Stocksy

August 1, 2023

There's plenty of advice out there about how to care for your heart, but much of it is vague. Regular exercise and a well-balanced diet are givens—but how can we dive a little deeper to ensure we're really, truly supporting our heart?

It turns out there are some key nutrients that promote cardiovascular health in both targeted and myriad ways (and some of them may surprise you).*

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Omega-3s

Folate

Now we can get into the surprising nutrients! Folate, aka vitamin B9, helps promote cardiovascular health in a very behind-the-scenes way. It's crucial for keeping homocysteine levels in balance, which is no problem for those with healthy methylation cycles.*

What's methylation, you ask? And what does it have to do with the heart? Well, methylation is a vital biochemical process that involves the transfer of methyl groups to and from various bioactive compounds in the body.

The methylated (aka bioactive) form of folate, 5-MTHF, is utilized for various functions throughout the body—including keeping homocysteine levels in check (i.e., by moving it along in the methionine cycle, for all you biochemistry lovers). Normal homocysteine levels are associated with healthy heart function, which is why folate (and the form of folate found in supplements: folic acid, particularly when it's in its active form 5-MTHF) is so helpful in promoting cardiovascular health 2, among a number of other areas of health.*

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Vitamin C

Resveratrol

If you haven't heard about this incredible phytonutrient before, you're in for a treat! Found in grapes, wine, chocolate, and key botanicals (e.g., Japanese knotweed extract), researchers believe that resveratrol is the secret behind the French Paradox: the juxtaposition of the standard French diet, which is high in saturated fats (*cough cough* butter) and red wine, and the relatively low rates of heart-health concerns among the French population.

The scientific explanation for the French Paradox? Like vitamin C, resveratrol helps regulate healthy blood pressure levels 5 and support vascular and endothelial function 6.* Additionally, resveratrol has antioxidant properties that inhibit vascular oxidative stress 7 and help maintain a healthy antioxidant balance.*

Although resveratrol is extremely beneficial to our cardiovascular and whole-body health, its bioavailability is limited.* To help boost resveratrol's bioactivity and retention in mbg's ultimate multivitamin+ formula, we've added its buddy phytonutrient, piperine, so the two can work together to promote longevity and overall well-being.*

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Lycopene

Lycopene is another awesome longevity-promoting botanical from mbg's comprehensive multi that delivers heart-healthy effects 8 when consumed via food (this phytonutrient is found primarily in tomatoes) and targeted supplementation.* Its cardioprotective actions include promoting healthy levels of LDL ("bad") cholesterol, modulating cytokine production, and supporting blood flow, while supplementation specifically has been tied to healthy blood pressure levels.*

Additionally, registered dietitian Jess Cording, M.S., R.D., CDN, previously told mbg that the research supporting lycopene's ability to improve heart-health outcomes 9 for individuals with focused cardiovascular health support needs is vast.* If you're looking to promote your heart health, add some tomatoes to your meals this week to reap the cardiovascular benefits of lycopene.*

The takeaway

There are so many nutrients that help our heart beat at peak performance. Whether you're introducing delicious, heart-healthy foods rich in these five nutrients to your diet or choosing a daily supplement that contains one (or more!), your cardiovascular system will be thanking you for taking such good care of your well-being.*

If you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or taking medications, consult with your doctor before starting a supplement routine. It is always optimal to consult with a health care provider when considering what supplements are right for you.