MY CURRENT HEART HEALTH STACK
Heart disease is the leading cause of death among non-smokers. For many people, the heart is a ticking time bomb, with the first symptom of trouble being death.
Along with neurodegeneration, heart disease is the thing that scares me most about getting older. Here’s how I am protecting my heart:
1. Citrus bergamot (1,000mg) — Bergamot has been shown to lower total cholesterol, LDL & triglycerides while raising HDL & reducing the risk of heart disease. It is also a powerful antioxidant and PCSK9 inhibitor. One study of people taking 1,000mg of bergamot extract daily showed that it lowered cholesterol and cut statin dosages by half without reducing effectiveness
2. Berberine (1000mg, split) — Berberine has been shown to help lower total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, and triglycerides, which can reduce the risk of heart disease
3. Ubiquinol (200mg) — Ubiquinol has been shown to reduce the risk of major cardiovascular issues & help lower blood pressure. It also supercharges mitochondria, which are found in high concentrations in the heart
4. Nattokinase (4,000 FU) — Nattokinase is a potent blood-clot dissolving protein used for the treatment of cardiovascular disease. Studies have demonstrated that NK provides support to the circulatory system by thinning the blood and dissolving blood clots. Unlike aspirin, which often triggers bleeding or gastric ulcers, NK improves blood flow without any adverse effects
5. Citrulline (1g) — L-citrulline is a nitrous oxide booster that increases vasodilation, which lowers blood pressure & increases blood flow. L-citrulline helps to boost L-arginine, which directly produces NO
6. Beet root (10g) — Low nitric oxide production can be a cause of high blood pressure. Nitric oxide is a vasodilator that relaxes the inner muscles of the blood vessels, causing them to widen and increase circulation. Inability to produce nitric oxide is associated with hypertension, diabetes & erectile dysfunction. Studies have shown that beet root can lower blood pressure as much as some blood pressure medications
7. Vitamin K2 (1,600mcg; MK4 & MK7) — one of vitamin K2’s most important functions is to regulate calcium deposition. That is, it promotes the calcification of bones and prevents the calcification of blood vessels. Calcium buildup in the arteries is a major risk-factor for heart disease. K2 binds calcium in the arteries, which helps maintain proper arterial flexibility and prevents arterial plaque buildup
8. Magnesium (1g) — Magnesium helps to balance the ratio of sodium & potassium on either side of a cell’s membrane. Imbalances in these 2 electrolytes lead to high blood pressure. It can also lead to improper firing of nerve cells which can cause heart rhythm irregularities
9. Taurine (1g) — Taurine has been shown to regulate blood pressure and improve heart function and blood fat levels. Research suggests a link between higher taurine levels and reduced cholesterol, lower blood pressure levels, and significantly lower rates of death from heart disease