How Prevalent is Congestive Heart Failure, and how does it affect me?

Congestive heart failure is a chronic disease where the heart does not have enough power to move the blood through the body.  The body needs a good cardiovascular system in order to move oxygen and nutrients throughout the body.  If you have been diagnosed with CHF, your doctor will give you medication to help manage the disease.  To date, there is no prescription that will heal it.  However, all is not lost!  There are seven nutrients that have been clinically proven to help repair your heart’s function.

1. This is a naturally occurring substance that your own body makes.  However, once you reach forty years of age, your body slows down on this nutrient, and your heart function can suffer.
   1. There have been 14 clinical trials on over 2,000 congestive heart failure patients.
   2. Research shows that patients who supplemented with CoQ10, had lower death rate and higher exercise capacity than patients who did not supplement.
   3. Patients who supplemented had decrease in serious complications with the disease, and fewer hospitalizations.
   4. CoQ10 supplies nutrients to support mitochondrial function and provide cellular energy.
2. This nutrient has been available for about twelve years. It is considered the active form of CoQ10.  There are two varieties:  ubiquinol and ubiquinone.  The body converts ubiquinone to ubiquinol, which is easier to absorb.
   10. Studies have shown that ubiquinol is up to 70% more bio available than conventional CoQ10.
   11. Clinical trials show that between 450-900 mg per day increased CoQ10 in the blood.
   12. These patients also had improved left ventricular function.
   13. A 2019 study supports these findings: 400 mg per day for three months helped congestive heart failure patients significantly improve peripheral endothelial function.
3. Omega 3 and 6 fatty acids. The Standard American Diet (SAD) is high in processed foods which contain a good deal of Omega 6.  By contrast, Omega 3s are found in your oily fish dishes.
   1. Studies found low levels of Omega 6 were associated with higher death rates; and high levels were associated with higher survival rates.
   2. Omega 3s help regulate insulin sensitivity which suppresses inflammation and prevents cardiac dysfunction.
4. This plant is part of the rose family, and has great properties for the heart. This plant has been used for thousands of years for heart ailments.
   1. The SPICE trial studied hawthorn extract on heart failure patients.
   2. This herb reduced sudden cardiac death by 39.7% after 24 months of treatment.
5. This plant has also shown impressive benefits for patients who have congestive heart failure.
   1. A 2010 study showed that berberine strengthened the heart by blocking calcium influx, which is prominent cause of heart failure.
   2. Berberine showed promise with anti-arrhythmic activity that has been shown to prolong duration of ventricular action.
   3. In 2020, Frontiers in Physiology stated: “Berberine has been verified to protect cardiac function in patients with heart failure.”
6. Magnesium is necessary for over 300 enzyme systems in the body.
   1. Regulates blood pressure
   2. Oral supplementation with 800 mg of magnesium oxide for three months produced improved arterial function when compared with placebos in heart failure patients.
7. This amino acid is important for numerous bodily functions, including relaxing and dilating arteries.
   1. Arginine is found in red meat, fish, poultry, and dairy products.
   2. Vegetarian sources are whole grains, nuts and seeds.
   3. Supplementation for six weeks improved exercise tolerance in heart failure patients.
   4. Combined with CoQ10 and Vitamin D, this nutrient was beneficial to both the cardiac muscle and the endothelial cells.

There is more information in the source article  GMI Research group.  You can find the article at www.GreenMedInfo.health

Until next time,

Dr. Polly