It's American Heart Month, and heart disease is one of the leading causes of death for women, men and people of most racial and ethnic groups, according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. In fact, cardiovascular disease causes one person to die every 33 seconds.
Though heart disease is common, it's also preventable with healthy habits. Eating healthy foods, exercising and avoiding bad habits like smoking can keep your heart healthy. If heart disease runs in your family and you're looking for other ways to support your heart health, there are some vitamins and minerals that can help. As always, we recommend discussing it with your general practitioner first before taking supplements.
Best vitamins and nutrients for heart health supplements
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There are several supplements you can choose if you think your diet doesn't already contain enough heart-healthy vitamins and minerals.
Omega-3s
Studies have shown that omega-3 fatty acids can help prevent heart disease and strokes. The National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health states that people who eat diets rich in seafood -- a prime source of omega-3s -- are less likely to die of heart disease. These studies compared people who ate seafood at least once a week and those who rarely or never ate it.
You can buy supplements that contain omega-3 fats, such as those containing fish oil or cod liver oil. However, several studies of these supplements couldn't find conclusive evidence that they significantly reduced heart disease. The best way to take omega-3 fats, then, is to obtain them naturally in your diet. Look for fatty fish such as wild salmon, sardines, mussels, rainbow trout and Atlantic mackerel.
If you are taking medicine that affects blood clotting, you should consult with your doctor before taking any omega-3 supplements.
Fiber
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