Coenzyme Q10 Dietary Supplement for Heart Disease

Improving your overall health will result in improved heart health. The heart is one of the most active tissues in the human body. The American Heart Association reports that, in the average person, the heart propels 2,000 gallons of blood through 65,000 miles of blood vessels by beating 10,000 times each day.

Coenzyme Q10 is beneficial in treating and preventing high blood pressure, cardiovascular disease, congestive heart failure, and atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries). Several studies have shown that Coenzyme Q10 helps slow down the destruction that occurs in congestive heart failure and heals the heart muscles damaged by heart attacks. Although Coenzyme Q10 is produced by the body and exists in some foods, these levels may be insufficient to meet the body's requirements. Coenzyme Q10 levels diminish with age and as a result of dietary inadequacies. Conditions and medications, such as hyperthyroidism, antidepressants, gum disease etc. will also cause lower than adequate levels of Coenzyme Q10.

Individuals suffering from cardiomyopathy or heart failure appear to have the greatest deficiencies. Improvements have been seen when individuals suffering from cardiomyopathy or heart failure receive supplemental Coenzyme Q10. Benefits of supplementing Coenzyme Q10 are seen in individuals experiencing angina, post-operative heart surgery, and heart attack recovery. Coenzyme Q10 deficiency results in aches and pains, fatigue, sore muscles, weakness, malaise, and shortness of breath.

Fish oil is another dietary supplement good for heart health because it can significantly reduce blood pressure and cholesterol. Quality fish oil supplements are available in capsules and in liquids. Research has shown that omega-3 fatty acids provide several benefits to the heart. They reduce the risk of arrhythmias, which are lethal heartbeat rhythms that cause sudden death. Omega-3 fatty acids slow atherosclerosis, which is the growth of harmful plaque on artery walls, and keep blood pressure levels low.

International clinical studies have also been conducted about the benefits of Coenzyme Q10 in the United States, Japan, Germany, Italy and Sweden. These studies show that Coenzyme Q10 supplementation is effective for a steady and continued improvement in heart function as well as steady and continued reduction in patient symptoms including fatigue, chest pains, palpitations and breathing difficulty.

There are different easy ways to start improving your heart health today.

• Eat a balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains and limit consumption of fats, oils, and sugars.

• Do exercise for 30 minutes, at a moderately intense cardio level, five days a week.

• Take professional quality supplements to help fill any nutritional gaps in your diet and for a good foundation for good nutrition for your heart. A dietary supplement that is extremely beneficial to heart health is Coenzyme Q10, or CoQ10.