Meta-analysis Identifies Supplements That Benefit Cardiovascular Health

[Barny12]

An interesting meta-analysis from the American College of Cardiology of more than 884 studies finds omega-3, folic acid, and CoQ10 among the micronutrients that reduce cardiovascular risk.

"Researchers systematically reviewed a total of 884 studies available to date on micronutrients taken as dietary supplements and analyzed their data. More than 883,000 patients were involved in the combined studies.

The researchers looked at randomized, controlled intervention trials evaluating 27 different types of antioxidant supplements. They found strong evidence that several offered cardiovascular benefits. These included omega-3 fatty acid, which decreased mortality from cardiovascular disease; folic acid, which lowered stroke risk; and coenzyme Q10, which decreased all-cause mortality. Omega-6 fatty acid, L-citrulline, L-arginine, quercetin, melatonin, curcumin, Vitamin D, zinc, magnesium, alpha-lipoic acid (ALA), catechin, flavanol, and genistein also showed evidence of reducing cardiovascular risk."

acc.org/About-ACC/Press-Rel...

sciencedirect.com/science/a...

[jeanjeannie50]

Fascinating stuff Barny, thanks for sharing.

I already take vitamin D, K, C, B12, zinc, magnesium, taurine and Coq10. Have been thinking about reducing some things though as at times I think it all gets a bit silly and I may be better to get these things from my diet. I have always eaten lots of fruit and also mixed nuts daily.

Jean

[Barny12 in reply to jeanjeannie50]

I take a multivitamin & mineral but try to get most of the good stuff through eating a whole food diet.

Interesting to note that "not all supplements were beneficial. Vitamin C, Vitamin D, Vitamin E and selenium showed no effect on long-term cardiovascular disease outcomes or type-2 diabetes risk. And beta carotene supplements increased all-cause mortality."!

Also none showed any effect on arrhythmia

[john-boy-92 in reply to Barny12]

It depends on the morbidities of the patients. I'm a participant in two AFFIRMO studies. Those are for people who have AF, over 60 (I think), and have multiple morbidities. Hardly applicable to someone who is 45 and no chronic conditions.

[Gumbie_Cat in reply to Barny12]

Now that my A Fib is permanent, there is such a temptation to think ‘what the heck’. But I guess that even if the arrhythmia is constant, I should minimise problems with the rest of my heart by reducing risk factors,

I take D3 and have just started CO Q10. Otherwise I try to get vitamins and minerals from my food. I’ve tried multivitamins in the past, but never found one that agreed with me. I’m always wary of iron oxide, which seems to be in everything. Needing to put up with it in the apixaban coating sadly.

[Tomred in reply to jeanjeannie50]

Jean it is said by naturopaths that due to intensive farming techniques that the amount of nutrients now in food is very little, you want to see my nutrient cupboard, thinking of opening a health shop ,lol.

[jeanjeannie50 in reply to Tomred]

Yes, I keep thinking I should dig up part of the back lawn and have my own veg patch, but I think all the cats around right now where I live would use it as a toilet. Then I wouldn't want to eat it. When I first retired I grew potatoes, runner beans etc. Now its hard enough work keeping my garden weed free and the lawns cut. Don't want to brag (do really) but I've just cut my front lawn for the first time this year . The weather has been lovely here in the south west of the UK for the last few days.

[ozziebob]

Thanks for posting those articles. Useful information for me.

Have you seen this Australian Vitamin D study that uses data from the UK Biobank? It gives positive results re Vitamin D3 supplementation and mortality risks ...

medscape.com/viewarticle/98...

You might need to join Medscape to read the article, but it's free, and I've had no follow-on issues after joining.

Highly recommended reading.

[Barny12 in reply to ozziebob]

Very interesting, thanks. Just checked and D3 is included in my daily multivitamins. I was thinking of adding CoQ10 to the list until I saw the price of them!

[ozziebob in reply to Barny12]

Yes, I have the same problem deciding what to add to my Vit D3, which has so far worked wonders for me (see my Bio). Touch wood.

The internet seems to be a minefield of competing and contradictory claims and prices for various supplements, so I struggle to know who to believe?

CoQ10 does interest me, but, as you say, cost is a big factor in my decision.

[BobbyGee]

Thank you, Barny12! Very useful info. I had forgotten about CoQ10. Took two tablets this morning.