The quest for a healthy heart leads many Americans to the drugstore or the health food store, where the aisles are packed with vitamins, minerals, herbs and other substances that purport to help prevent or reduce the effects of heart disease. Heart disease is the leading cause of death in this country, and with the Baby Boomer generation now coming of age, heart disease is of increasing concern.
But are there nutritional supplements that are really worth your time and money? Below, cardiologist Dr. Nate Lebowitz and alternative medicine expert Dr. Samuel Benjamin offer some healthy advice on nutritional supplements for the heart.
Let's start with fish oil supplements. What do they do?
NATE LEBOWITZ, MD: Fish oil has clearly entered the world of standard care. I think this was highlighted by a very large study last summer, with thousands of Italian men who had had heart attacks. Those who were put on fish oil, or omega-3 supplements from fish oil, had a dramatic drop in arrhythmias (abnormal heart rhythms), sudden death from arrhythmias, and repeat heart attack.
We've also known that it lowers triglycerides, can help with cholesterol, and can also help protect your arteries.
How much and how often should people be taking fish oil supplements?
SAM BENJAMIN, MD: I think it depends on the medications you're taking.
Copyright 2009 NBC Health
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