We get it: When it comes to heart health, most of what cardiologists recommend isn't fun, from exercising when you'd rather watch TV to eating leafy greens when you're craving pepperoni pizza. The desire to quickly improve cardiovascular health means that nutritional supplements are already selling out.
There are many nutritional supplements on the market, and because the FDA does not review the safety, effectiveness, and labeling of nutritional supplements before marketing them, many make all health claims. Some of these claims are quite dubious, but many people who take vitamins, minerals, and supplements believe them.
When it comes to heart health, are supplements good, bad, or no good?
We asked cardiologists what they thought about the use of nutritional supplements for cardiovascular health.
Can nutritional supplements help?
According to cardiologists, probably not.
“Save money and use it for vacations,” says Providence Saint in Santa Monica, California. John Health Center, certified cardiologist Dr. Richard F. advises: I saw. “Almost all supplements are not good for heart health.”
A heart-healthy diet such as the Mediterranean diet is healthier than any nutritional supplement, although there is some evidence that it may help, Wright says.
“Some people may benefit from certain supplements, such as those who need vitamin D (a misnomer because vitamin D is a hormone, not a vitamin), iron or high doses of omega-3 fatty acids,” he said. He's talking. . “But if you follow a sensible diet, most supplements won't hurt your wallet.”
A board-certified interventional cardiologist at MemorialCare Saddleback Medical Center in Laguna Hills, California, Dr. Cheng Hanqin agrees.
“There are many supplements that are good for heart health,” Chen says. “The most popular ones include fish oil, CoQ10, folic acid, and red yeast rice.” But decades of research have not shown clear benefits from over-the-counter supplements.”
Like Wright, Chen says it's better to focus on the food than on something that's in a brown bottle.
“Supplements are unlikely to benefit healthy people,” he explains. “I advise all patients to focus on a healthy, balanced diet first, as food will always be the best and most natural source of the nutrients the body needs.”
And with fish oil?
While many people swear by omega-3 supplements and fish oil, Chen says over-the-counter medications probably won't do anything for your heart.
“Some studies have shown that omega-3 fish oil helps control blood triglyceride levels. However, omega-3 levels in over-the-counter supplements vary widely and do not reach the levels found in prescription omega-3. "The active ingredient in red yeast rice is a statin that can help improve LDL levels. However, the level of lovastatin in red yeast rice is much lower than that of prescription lovastatin."
However, getting omega-3 and fish oil from fish like salmon and other food sources like nuts is good for you and can benefit your heart, mind, and even your face.
Some supplements can cause harm
Chen reiterates that without FDA regulation of dietary supplements, you may not always know what you're taking, which can be very scary.
"Patients should be aware that dietary supplements are not regulated by the FDA, so pills may contain something other than what is listed on the package. In fact, they are often filled with fillers or dangerous ingredients," he warns. You should know that nutritional supplements can cause some unwanted side effects."
Additionally, Chen points out that you're taking in more vitamins and minerals than you need, which can have adverse effects on your health, including your heart.
"I don't usually recommend nutritional supplements to my patients," she says. “Studies have shown that excessive intake of certain nutritional supplements (such as calcium, vitamin D, and beta-carotene) may increase the risk of heart disease.”
If you want to take a dietary supplement, it's important to look for a "USP Verified" label before purchasing, which means the supplement has been tested by a third party for quality and safety, or enter the name of your supplement on sites like ConsumerLab. Or the laboratory door