Most everyone is looking to fulfill that ever popular New Year’s resolution—to lose weight. Part of the benefits of losing weight is the diminishing stress it puts on the heart to pump blood throughout the body to nourish the various organs. We have all heard about the dangers of too high cholesterol levels, and some may even be familiar with the terms HDL (high density lipoprotein) and LDL (low density lipoprotein) cholesterol. HDL is the “good” cholesterol, and LDL is designated the “bad” guy.

What will be discussed here, however, are the main nutrients that are really a must if one wants to maintain good heart health, prevent heart disease, and possibly even begin the healing process, depending on the individual’s unique condition. The nutrients to be discussed here plus regular, moderate and enjoyable exercise should yield measurable effects. Bottom line goals to measure your progress would be an HDL at greater or equal to 40mg/dL, LDL at less than 130mg/dL, and triglycerides (which, by the way, represents sugar consumption that turns to fat) at less than 150mg/dL. Remember, total cholesterol is not as important as looking at the HDL and LDL., but should be around 200.

What is happening to far too many unsuspecting Americans? They are getting into the “statin drug loop”—a dangerous loop indeed, where you begin to experience more side effects related to fatigue and overall muscle weakness than your initial problems! Have you heard of the importance of the heart healthy nutrient COQ10? If you are on statin drugs, a good doctor would have already warned you of the need to be supplementing with this ubiquitous nutrient! Ubiquitous meaning it is found everywhere in the body, and indeed, its surname is “ubiquinol”. Another bottom line: take it! There are many COQ10’s on the market, but the most bioavailable to date is the ubiquinol form; it not hard to find. People are usually advised to take about 100-200 mg a day or more, if they have heart problems, and especially if on statin drugs, as it does deplete the nutrient—but see a valid health care provider for specific directions if in doubt.

Fish oil is very important for a healthy heart, as it supplies essential fatty acids (Omega 3’s) the heart needs, and naturally thins the blood. LCarnitine is another naturally occurring nutrient, an amino acid, that is very heart friendly. It is important for building lean, strong muscles, the heart being a major muscle in the body.

Magnesium is an important co-factor in over 300 enzymatic reactions in the body, and has a calming, relaxing effect on the heart rhythms. Most American are quite deficient in this important mineral as the food we eat does not fulfill the requirements of the over stressed conditions we live in. Stress is a major cause of deficiency of Magnesium, and yet we need Magnesium to deal with stress! Furthermore, this mineral is depleted when on diuretics just as much as Potassium, yet it is rarely prescribed. Another negative loop syndrome working against us, as you can see, and so unnecessary. A chelated form such as Magnesium Citrate is preferred, and we need it in addition to what we get in a multivitamin, to balance the extra calcium. There are now also Magnesium gels on the market which you just rub in you skin, and it is safely absorbed, thus avoiding any looseness of stools, if that is a problem.

D-Ribose is a naturally occurring sugar in the body which does not act like a dietary sugar, in that it does not raise your insulin or triglyceride levels. Instead, it gives the ailing heart the boost of energy it needs.

Finally, vitamin K2 has been found in recent years to aid the heart by removing the calcium deposits from the arteries and depositing it in the bones where it belongs, thereby keeping arteries healthy and free from the narrowing and hardening effect of excess calcium.

Remember, in addition to including these heart healthy nutrients in your regimen, decide to begin a regular exercise program, preferably five or six days a week for at least 45 minutes. Rebound exercise is one very safe and effective means to achieve your goals, as it builds lean muscle tissue to increase metabolism while protecting the skeleton from excessive stress, and can be aerobically challenging enough to strengthen the heart. Whatever exercise form you choose, stick with it, and along with targeted nutrient supplementation for the heart, you can bet you’re on the right track.