Additional Coverage:
- Heart disease is the leading cause of death. A cardiologist takes 3 supplements to lower his risk. (businessinsider.com)
Heart Health: Supplements a Cardiologist Recommends
Supplements can play a role in overall health, including heart health, according to Dr. Dmitry Yaranov, director of the advanced heart failure program at Baptist Memorial Hospital in Memphis, Tennessee.
While emphasizing that supplements should complement, not replace, a healthy lifestyle of regular exercise and a balanced diet, Dr. Yaranov shared the supplements he personally takes to support his cardiovascular health.
Omega-3: Dr. Yaranov points to omega-3 fatty acids as having the most research supporting its heart health benefits.
Omega-3s, found in fatty fish like salmon and also in plant-based sources like soybeans and walnuts, promote healthy blood cells, reducing blood clot risk. They also help lower triglycerides, a type of fat that can contribute to plaque buildup in arteries.
Recognizing that he doesn’t consume enough fatty fish, Dr. Yaranov supplements with omega-3.
Magnesium Glycinate: Magnesium is essential for heart, bone, brain, and muscle health, and plays a role in regulating blood pressure. While found in foods like spinach and black beans, many Americans are magnesium deficient.
Dr. Yaranov regularly monitors his magnesium levels through blood work, cautioning that certain levels can be dangerous for the heart.
He opts for magnesium glycinate, which he finds promotes better sleep than other forms of magnesium. Good sleep is crucial for heart health, and Dr.
Yaranov notes his active lifestyle can deplete magnesium levels.
Vitamin D: While research is ongoing, vitamin D is associated with a lower risk of heart attack in older adults. It also aids in calcium absorption and supports the immune system.
Dr. Yaranov supplements with vitamin D due to his limited sun exposure, a primary source of this vitamin.
He notes that vitamin D deficiency is common, and supplementation can be beneficial. He reminds readers that while vitamin D overdose is possible, it typically occurs with excessive supplement intake beyond recommended levels.