In today's fast-paced world, where lifestyle factors often take precedence over health, the concept of preventative health has gained significant traction, especially concerning cardiometabolic conditions. Cardiometabolic health encompasses a spectrum of interrelated disorders such as hypertension, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease. Taking proactive steps to prevent these conditions can significantly enhance quality of life and longevity. More than 5.7 million Canadians living with diabetes (type 1 & type 2 diagnosed + type 2 undiagnosed) and about 63,200 (2.3 per 1,000) adults had a first heart attack over the age of 20.
Preventative measures play a crucial role in managing cardiometabolic health. By adopting a proactive approach, individuals can reduce the risk factors associated with these conditions, such as obesity, high blood pressure, and elevated cholesterol levels. Preventative strategies typically include dietary modifications, regular physical activity, stress management, and in some cases, supplementation with natural compounds known to support cardiovascular health.
Natural Herbs for Cardiometabolic Support:
Garlic: Known for its culinary use and medicinal properties, garlic contains sulfur compounds that may help lower blood pressure and cholesterol levels, thus reducing the risk of heart disease.
Red Yeast Rice: This traditional Chinese medicine has been shown to lower cholesterol levels due to its natural statin content. It can be used as an alternative to pharmaceutical statins for managing cholesterol levels.
Bergamot: Derived from the citrus fruit, bergamot is rich in flavonoids that have antioxidant and cholesterol-lowering properties. It may help improve lipid profiles and reduce inflammation associated with cardiovascular disease.
CoQ10: Using CoQ10 in addition to individuals who take statins can be beneficial to alleviate the side effects of the statins. Statins lower the levels of coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) in the body, so taking over-the-counter CoQ10 supplements could potentially alleviate the muscle side effects caused by statins.
Prioritizing preventative health measures is essential for managing and reducing the risk of cardiometabolic conditions. By embracing a holistic approach that includes dietary modifications, regular exercise, stress reduction, and the strategic use of natural supplements like garlic, red yeast rice, and bergamot, individuals can take proactive steps toward long-term cardiovascular wellness. Remember, a small investment in preventative health today can yield substantial benefits in the future.
Reference:
Government of Canada. (n.d.). Heart disease in Canada. Public Health Agency of Canada. Retrieved July 2, 2024, from https://www.canada.ca/content/dam/phac-aspc/documents/services/publications/diseases-conditions/heart-disease-fact-sheet/heart-disease-factsheet-eng.pdf
Villaño D, Marhuenda J, Arcusa R, Moreno-Rojas JM, Cerdá B, Pereira-Caro G, Zafrilla P. Effect of Black Garlic Consumption on Endothelial Function and Lipid Profile: A Before-and-After Study in Hypercholesterolemic and Non-Hypercholesterolemic Subjects. Nutrients. 2023 Jul 14;15(14):3138. doi: 10.3390/nu15143138. PMID: 37513556; PMCID: PMC10385333.
Varshney R, Budoff MJ. Garlic and Heart Disease. J Nutr. 2016 Feb;146(2):416S-421S. doi: 10.3945/jn.114.202333. Epub 2016 Jan 13. PMID: 26764327.
Cicero AFG, Fogacci F, Stoian AP, Toth PP. Red Yeast Rice for the Improvement of Lipid Profiles in Mild-to-Moderate Hypercholesterolemia: A Narrative Review. Nutrients. 2023 May 12;15(10):2288. doi: 10.3390/nu15102288. PMID: 37242171; PMCID: PMC10221652.
Nauman MC, Johnson JJ. Clinical application of bergamot (Citrus bergamia) for reducing high cholesterol and cardiovascular disease markers. Integr Food Nutr Metab. 2019 Mar;6(2):10.15761/IFNM.1000249. doi: 10.15761/IFNM.1000249. Epub 2019 Feb 28. PMID: 31057945; PMCID: PMC6497409.
Chen W, Ochs-Balcom HM, Ma C, Isackson PJ, Vladutiu GD, Luzum JA. Coenzyme Q10 supplementation for the treatment of statin-associated muscle symptoms. Future Cardiol. 2022 Jun;18(6):461-470. doi: 10.2217/fca-2021-0106. Epub 2022 Mar 17. PMID: 35297269; PMCID: PMC9171566.