How would I start to create a heart formula?
As with many of my products, I start with the obvious - Magnesium in its best absorbed form - Magnesium Glycinate. Add the second most important nutrient to support cardio-vascular function and health - Taurine. Finally, include the most potent heart-protective antioxidant in its active form, that furthermore aids in cellular energy production within the heart muscle cells, that helps support the inside walls of our vascular system (blood vessels) - CoQ10.
Now you just have to think about therapeutic dosing. Done.
For the longest time Cholesterol has been thought to be the key factor in developing heart disease, but this is turning out to be yet another misguided finding. Even the fast food chain MadDonald’s recently switched their complete production process from using “heart healthy margarine” to simple butter, causing a significant ripple effect in North American butter markets.
More current research now reveals that low magnesium levels contribute significantly more to heart disease then cholesterol or saturated fats. All common risk factors, like high LDL cholesterol, low HDL cholesterol, high blood pressure, diabetes and metabolic syndrome are all associated with low magnesium levels.
Low magnesium levels worsen congestive heart failure, atherosclerosis, chest pain (coronary vasospasm), high blood pressure, cardiac arrhythmias, heart muscle disease (cardiomyopathy), heart attack and can even lead to sudden cardiac death.
Taurine’s effects on cardiovascular health is a function of all beneficial effects it exerts on insulin and insulin receptors, on obesity, muscle health, energy, sleep, brain function, stress …. The heart contains highest concentrations of taurine and a variety of studies indicate that taurine helps retain magnesium and potassium within the heart muscle, which is very important for cellular health and hydration, electrical stability and regularity and strength of heart muscle contractions.
Other studies show that individuals with high blood pressure have lower levels of taurine in the bloodstream. This will trigger the release of angiotensin, which is the bodies most potent blood pressure raising messenger.
A 2010 study in the Journal of Biomedical Sciences (1) found that high Taurine and Magnesium levels together with low Body Mass Index (BMI) and total cholesterol were directly related to low cardiovascular risk.
Furthermore, Magnesium and Taurine together help handle stress, calm the nervous system and help you sleep better. Magnesium is well known to calm the nerves and help increase cellular energy production. Taurine helps increase GABA levels, thus calming the nerves, and is proven to lower anxiety states and stress hormone levels that prevent proper rest.(2)
Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) is a natural antioxidant and comes in two forms. Ubiquinol - the active form Ubiquinone - the oxidized form, which the body can partially convert back into the active form. CoQ10 helps keep LDL cholesterol in its normal, less sticky oxidative state, helps support optimal heart muscle function, circulatory health, blood vessel wall health.
CoQ10 deficiency has been associated with cardiovascular problems including
angina, arrhythmia, heart failure and high blood pressure, but also with compromised blood sugar regulation, stomach ulcers, gum disease, chronic fatigue and muscle pain.
Individuals using cholesterol lowering drugs (Statins) are at a particular risk of CoQ10 deficiency, because the drugs also block the bodies own CoQ10 production.
The Mayo Clinic uses high dose CoQ10 in the treatment of chronic heart failure and high blood pressure and also recommends it for conditions like Macular Degeneration (AMD) and Cataracts, Alzheimer’s Disease, Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), Asthma.
By Cyrus Kuhzarani, Pharmacist, Founder and Formulator for Pure Lab Vitamins
