Cardiovascular disease is the most common cause of death in the world. Seventeen million three hundred thousand die annually, and it is estimated that this number will reach 23 million by the year 2030.
That’s why I’ve been stressing that proper lifestyle and nutrition are of paramount importance in protecting your heart.
There are many “ingredients” that will reduce the possibility of getting a heart attack, but we will only dwell on two today.
Glutathione and coenzyme Q 10 (CoQ10) are essential nutrients for your heart.
Glutathione
Glutathione is a type of protein that the body synthesizes with the help of three amino acids – cysteine, glycine, and glutamic acid. It is a very important antioxidant, found in every cell of the organism, and one of its most important tasks is maintaining optimum cell function.
This antioxidant acts as an immune-stimulant by helping create phagocytes and lymphocytes, two basic cell types in the immune system. Just this does not limit Glutathione’s role; it is responsible for the transport and action of certain important amino acids and vitamins such as C and E. It regulates the functions and the synthesis of various proteins and DNA, as well as the activation and regulation of various enzymes in the body.
As with other antioxidants, the basic role of glutathione is to protect cells from free radicals. When glutathione is severely lacking in your body, you are at increased risk of developing cardiovascular diseases, liver dysfunction, muscular fatigue, Alzheimer’s, cancer, and Parkinson’s disease.
Unlike other antioxidants, glutathione is not only beneficial to human health, but also contributes to better utilization and activation of other antioxidants. That is why it is defined as the main antioxidant, or “the conductor of the orchestra”.
From what I’ve read, the body’s capacity to synthetize glutathione diminishes with age. Thus, you should seriously look at ways to supplement.
Again, I’ve read that all glutathione supplements are not optimally bioavailable. So choose your supplements wisely; look at reputable brands.
What I strongly suggest is consuming foods with the highest concentration of glutathione.
These include:
- blueberries
- broccoli
- avocados
- potatoes
- tomatoes
- green tea
- carrots
- oranges
- pumpkin
- turkey meat
- salmon
- spinach
- and oat flakes
The best source, however, is asparagus.
CoQ10
The body synthesizes coenzyme Q10, but “production” decreases after age 30. Look carefully at the below picture.
Over the years, the production of CoQ10 in your body can reduce by as much as 80 %.
This reduced production leads to a decrease in energy processes in the body, which is first noticed in cardiac work.
Studies have shown that statins (cholesterol lowering drugs) can lead to a deficiency of this enzyme. If you are taking these drugs, supplement with CoQ10, even if your doctor does not prescribe it.
Besides being an antioxidant, CoQ10’s benefits can be listed as:
- having a positive effect on arrhythmia
- reducing the risk of developing atherosclerosis
- decreasing the risk in heart operations
- reducing the risk and consequences of angina pectoris and infarction
- strengthening weakened heart muscles
I have not read anything that suggests supplements might not be up to par; any well-known brand of CoQ10 supplement should do.
CoQ10 deficiency also leads to:
- a weak immune system
- fatigue
- and accumulation of fat deposits.
If you’re over 30 and/or taking statin drugs, go out and buy CoQ10 supplements now.
That’s it; see you all the next time.
