Are You Taking the Right Supplements? View tips, risk factors and expert advice

dietary supplements: Heart problems are the leading cause of death worldwide, affecting more than 17.9 million people each year. Heart health is most important in the human body and we don’t need any study to prove it. Your brain and heart shape almost the entire body and its functions.

In an interview with IANS, Dr. Amit Deshpande, Founder and Director of Activist, shared the key to including the right dietary supplement in your daily diet.

Conditions like stroke and high blood pressure arise due to mental and physical problems in the body. Yes, stress is also a major factor in such cases. Do you think your daily diet provides enough for your heart? If you are living in an urban environment, not everything you consume is 100 percent pure.

“Adulteration” is a small word, if your food is not washed properly it can contain unhealthy ingredients. Due to this, there is a huge deficiency of essential nutrients in the body. And, supplements help bridge this nutritional gap. Yes, people are still skeptical about its benefits and very few of us take them seriously.

Supplements are readily available and sometimes don’t even require a prescription, but there are better ways to take this route.

Consult an expert, don’t be one!

Also Read: Should You Be Taking Dietary Supplements? 4 Things You Must Know

There is no room for a nutrition-rich diet in our busy schedules and we have become very comfortable with a sedentary lifestyle. Junk food, unbalanced sleep routine, mental stress (hours and hours of cheering on social media platforms), and health ignorance are important factors that harm our heart health.

However, we can meet our body’s nutrition quota and keep our hearts happy and healthy with these seven supplements:

Omega-3 Fatty Acid

These supplements work wonders in reducing triglycerides (the most common type of fat in the body), inflammation, stroke and other heart conditions. Foods such as walnuts, chia seeds, fish, flaxseed oil and canola oil are rich sources of omega 3 fatty acids.

One must work hard to include enough of these items on a regular basis, if through diet is not possible, taking omega 3 fatty acid capsules is a great option. It helps in the maintenance of cardiovascular functioning and regulation of cholesterol levels by reducing plaque buildup in the arteries.

magnesium

According to one study, magnesium reduces blood pressure by 12 points. It is one of the 3 microminerals (along with calcium and zinc) responsible for nearly 300 biochemical reactions in the body. Magnesium deficiency can cause muscle contractions, cramps, seizures, abnormal heart rhythms, personality changes, and coronary spasms.

Cashews, almonds, whole grains, legumes, seeds and dairy products are some rich sources of magnesium. Managing them can be challenging; Therefore, magnesium supplements would work better.

cod liver oil

This fish oil supplement is renowned for its many benefits to the human body. Rich in antioxidants, healthy fats and minerals, cod liver oil may help reduce risk factors for heart diseases. Supplementation can contribute greatly to reducing inflammation and reducing liver fat. Cod liver oil is also said to be excellent in the development and maintenance of healthy bones and teeth.

These are often recommended by healthcare providers and this is the right way to consume them. Do not take supplements without a prescription or doctor’s advice.

folate (folic acid)

Folic acid (B vitamin) is said to reduce the risk of heart attack and stroke in many people. Vegetables, beans and citrus fruits are excellent sources of folate. Supplements are naturally present in many foods but can be a part of your daily routine in capsule or other form.

If you are already taking certain medicines, treatments or remedies, taking folic acid may not be effective. Before starting the dosage, it is better that you talk to an expert.

grape seed juice

If you are diagnosed with high blood pressure, then grape seed extract is perfect to add to your daily routine. It is rich in antioxidants and lowers blood pressure.

According to one study, about 100mg-800mg of grape seed extract daily for 8-16 weeks can help maintain blood pressure if you have symptoms or are suffering from pre-hypertension.

multivitamin

Scurvy, beriberi, pellagra and rickets are some classic examples of vitamin deficiencies. While malnutrition is a silent culprit in developing countries, multivitamin supplements can make a big difference. A diet consisting of lots of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, protein and more is good but sometimes isn’t enough.

It is already too late to consider essential nutrition for a person suffering from chronic conditions such as cardiovascular diseases; However, you can start taking these supplements from a young age to avoid trouble.

Ashwagandha

People with high blood pressure are in dire need of calming foods. While these aren’t always enough, supplements containing ashwagandha calm the brain, reduce inflammation, lower blood pressure and help rev up the immune system.

Ashwagandha has been used for centuries and it works wonders in reducing any kind of physical and mental stress. These days, Ashwagandha has become a prominent tea variant in premium beverages as well. It can be included in a number of ways to improve heart health.