One of the most pressing health concerns is heart health.

A concerted campaign is being waged to bring public awareness to the dietary factors that can lead to elevated cholesterol levels, arteriosclerosis (hardening of the arteries) and atherosclerosis (an arteriosclerosis characterized by the buildup of fatty deposits of the inner layer of the arteries). Widespread acknowledgment of the benefits of herbs and other nutritional supplements for heart health is an asset to this campaign.

A considerable body of scientific research shows that herbs and nutritional supplements have substantial effects to maintain a healthy heart. While emergency situations are best handled by medical professionals, there have been studies in which patients with more severe, chronic heart conditions (who do not respond to standard medical treatments) have shown improvements with herbal or other nutritional alternatives. Many of these natural methods are considered standard medical protocols by physicians in Europe and Asia.

In order to understand the benefits described in the research on these alternatives, it is important to know the medical classification system commonly employed for heart disease.

Class (or level) 1:

Patients without symptoms when at rest and on treatment.

Class 2:

Patients with reduced capacities accompanied with moderate exertion.

Class 3:

Patients with loss of capacities accompanied with minor exertion but without symptoms when at rest.

Class 4:

Patients who experience symptoms when at rest.

Hawthorn

In Germany one of the most frequently prescribed treatments for heart conditions is the herb hawthorn (Crataegus oxycanthoides). Germany, like many European countries, has a government agency called the Kommission E, which produces official monographs guiding the safe prescription, usage and manufacturing methods of herbal medicines. Amongst current monographs is one on hawthorn, which states that it is useful for heart insufficiency (classes 1 and 2) in that it strengthens heart contractions, lowers blood pressure and pulse rate, as well as improves physical work and anaerobic capacity (the ability to continue functioning in low oxygen conditions). The berry from hawthorn is widely employed for arrhythmia (irregular heartbeats, palpitations), high blood pressure and hardening of the arteries.

Clinical and laboratory research findings abound that hawthorn may be beneficial in treating heart conditions, including arrhythmia, angina, atherosclerosis, high blood pressure and elevated cholesterol levels. These findings suggest that hawthorn may be effective from class 1 to 3 but is generally not considered strong enough for class 4.

Clinical trials have also found benefits in the elderly with no heart conditions but simply deteriorating heart function with age (Hoffmann 1995). In older patients, hawthorn is considered gentler than the drug digitalis and may actually improve the tolerance for digitalis. Unlike digitalis, hawthorn is not effective in correcting a complete failure because it does not contain the same chemical compounds (Weiss 1988). Hawthorn is reported to be beneficial for heart complaints during menopause, anxiety and nervous disorders (Hobbs & Foster 1990). There is limited preliminary research showing that hawthorn relieves muscle tension and promotes relaxation and sleep (Djumlija 1994) (Chang & But 1986). These are factors that may be beneficial for heart conditions.

The German Kommission E monograph notes no contraindications or side effects for the use of hawthorn. However, in combining hawthorn with medications, it is best to consult with your physician or pharmacist.

Horsetail

Horsetail, or Equisetum arvense, has a long history of traditional use in folk herbalism for strengthening connective tissue and relieving water retention. Several older research papers have reported that horsetail helps to control bleeding in hemorrhages and markedly increases the number of blood corpuscles and physical energy (Gibelli 1931) (Buchi & Dolder 1950) (Bradley 1992), as well as providing mild diuretic effects (Bradley 1992). It is reported to contain approximately 2 to 3% elemental silicon (Bradley 1992), which is necessary to maintain flexible arterial walls and plays an important role in the prevention of heart conditions. Silicon levels decline as we age, so higher levels are needed by the elderly who are most concerned about their heart and arteries (Balch & Balch 1997).

Other Nutritional Supplements

Many nutritional substances are linked to heart health. Calcium, magnesium and potassium are essential for healthy heart muscle function and the research findings on these minerals have been well publicized in recent years.

Chromium picolinate has received fresh publicity as a mineral supplement for weight loss and blood sugar balance but few are aware that it plays an important role in heart health as well. Deficiencies of chromium may increase the risk of arteriosclerosis. Chromium lowers cholesterol levels while improving the ratio of the "good" cholesterol to the "bad" (Balch & Balch 1997).

Selenium deficiencies are associated with the development of elevated cholesterol levels and cardiomyopathy (chronic heart muscle disorder). Weaknesses in the heart muscles of grazing livestock have been noted in areas with selenium deficient soils (Werbach 1996) (Balch & Balch 1997). Due to decades of chemical farming practices, which deplete the land of many minerals over time, selenium and chromium deficient soils in produce and grazing farmland are quite common (Balch & Balch 1997).

There has been considerable press in recent years about the benefits of antioxidants in conjunction with heart maintenance. Selenium and vitamin C are two of the most important antioxidants in the nutritional world and are frequently recommended to those with heart conditions to protect against stroke and stroke related damage. Vitamin C also provides protection against capillary breakage, leakage, excessive clotting, and helps to lower high cholesterol levels (Balch & Balch 1997) (Werbach 1996). Hawthorn is reported to contain significant amounts of a specific class of flavonoids (chemical relatives of vitamin C). These particular flavonoids have potent "vitamin P" action, which maintains capillary wall strength while increasing intracellular vitamin C levels (Murray 1995).

Research on the amino acid taurine suggests that it may be beneficial for those patients with congestive heart failure conditions. In a clinical trial with 14 patients, where the patients served as their own control group via a crossover study design, 79% improved with 4 weeks of taurine supplementation compared to 21% on placebo. This included improvements in functional class, heart crackles, chest film disturbances and heart failure scores which were highly significant during taurine treatment and without change on placebo. No side effects or interactions with conventional medications used during the trial were noted (Werbach 1996). Additionally, taurine has demonstrated benefits for those with hardening of the arteries and high blood pressure. It is essential for proper metabolism of sodium, potassium, calcium and magnesium and it may protect the heart muscle from potassium depletion, which could lead to serious irregularities in the heartbeat. Deficiencies may also cause abnormalities in blood platelet function (Balch & Balch 1997).

The amino acid arginine may also be critical in maintaining heart and circulatory health because it is the only source for nitric oxide, an essential substance for healthy blood vessel function and structure. Supplementation with arginine helps to restore healthy function to the blood vessels, including relaxing the walls, which may be beneficial in high blood pressure conditions (Weil 1997).

These herbal and nutritional substances are valuable tools to maintain heart health, along with the appropriate changes in diet, increased exercise, stress reduction, meditation and other lifestyle changes.

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