Nine Natural Ways to Maintain a Healthy Heart
(Many of these help with diabetes, too!)

1. Take a multivitamin that has carotenoids, flavonoids, vitamins C, E and B, selenium and cardiac-supporting herbs.
   
   
2. Coenzyme Q10 is another must. It's one of the best nutrients for promoting heart health. I can't imagine practicing medicine without it. I prefer the water-soluble form of CoQ10 over other brands.Take 250–300 mg/day standard CoQ10 in divided doses, or 90–120 mg hydrosoluble CoQ10/day.
   
   
3. L-carnitine, a nutrient that helps preserve heart health. Take 500 mg to 2 grams daily.
   
   
4. Fish oil sounds bad, but it is one of the best sources of healthy fat imaginable. You can eat cold-water fish like salmon and mackerel at least twice a week and/or take daily fish oil supplements. I'm so impressed with the research on fish oil that it’s a must in my heart-health program.
   
   
5. Smoking: Stop it! Research shows that smokers are twice as likely to have serious heart problems as non-smokers.
   
   
6. L-arginine, an amino acid that improves blood flow to the heart by stimulating endothelial cell releasing factor, thereby inhibiting a chain of complex reactions that might otherwise cause plaque to form in the arteries and stifle blood flow to the heart. Take 2 to 4 grams before bedtime. You may experience gastrointestinal upset in high doses, so start by taker lower dosages.
   
   
7. Taurine has been shown to boost the electrical activity within the heart and promote the heart's contractile strength. Take 2–3 grams daily if you have congestive heart failure. (It’s fine to take this along with your prescription drugs.)
   
   
8. Nattokinase is very effective in breaking down fibrin, which in turn helps keep blood free-flowing. There are several good natto supplements on the market. Take 100 mg (2000 fibrin units) daily.
   
   
9. Alcohol: Limit it! Some studies suggest that moderate alcohol consumption can reduce risk for poor heart health, but more than one drink a day for women could have negative consequences. One glass of beer or wine daily is fine. Hard alcohol is out. (This is the type of information I share in each issue of my newsletter. If you’re not getting it, you’re really missing out.)