Introduction
In this contemporary world that focuses on preventive medicine, it is worth stating that heart disease remains one of the most significant concerns of patients and physicians. Due to increased awareness regarding the diseases of the heart, there has been an increased usage of nutraceuticals which are defined as the functional foods that are obtained from edible plants and possess health promoting properties. This blog examines our responsibilities to care of hearts with nutraceuticals and outlines the most important products to improve the heart’s health.
The heart and cardiovascular diseases
CVDs refer to a group of diseases that affects the heart and blood vessels; these include heart disease, stroke, and high blood pressure. Such diseases are associated with such factors as poor dieting habits, addiction to fried foods, lack of exercise, and smoking. Some of the known risk factors are high levels of cholesterol, high blood pressure, obesity as well as diabetes. Reducing these risk factors by through diets, exercises, and supplements are essential to optimize the status of the heart.
Nutraceuticals for Heart Health:
The basic products and raw materials which can be called key products and ingredients for this business, helps to support the heart health inclusive of such effects like inflammation, cholesterol and circulation. Here are some notable ingredients and products:
1. Omega-3 Fatty Acids
- Sources: Fish oil, flax seeds, chia seeds.
- Benefits: EPA and DHA, PUFA belonging to omega-3 group, have been identified to be beneficial to the cardiovascular system. It assists in reduction of triglycerides, hypertension and the probabilities of cardiovascular problems.
- Product Examples: Fish oil, omega-3 capsules, and foods which are prepared with added omega-3 such as omega-3 enriched eggs.
2. Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10)
- Sources: Belong to group B and is present in small quantities in meat fish and whole grains.
- Benefits: CoQ10 is an antioxidant that plays a crucial role in energy production for the cells and has been proven to enhance the hearts functions as well as decrease the probabilities of heart diseases. It is particularly useful for persons under statins because these reduce the CoQ10 concentration in the body.
- Product Examples: CoQ10 available in different types and forms, some of them are ubiquinone and ubiquinol.
3. Plant Sterols and Stanols
- Sources: Present in plant derived foods such as fruits, vegetables, nuts and seeds.
- Benefits: Plant sterols and stanols reduce the LDL cholesterol levels by inhibiting the absorbed cholesterol in the intestines thus tend to have an impact on reducing the risks of heart diseases.
- Product Examples: Margarines with enhanced fat, cholesterol-billeting aids and functional foods involving plant sterols.
4. Fiber
- Sources: These include whole grains more so in breads, legumes, fruits and vegetables.
- Benefits: They assist in the regulation of cholesterol and general arterial health since soluble fiber is known to have the cholesterol-lowering effect. It also helps in regulating blood sugar levels.
- Product Examples: Fiber supplements like psyllium husk and functional foods.
5. Resveratrol
- Sources: Grapes especially the red ones, red wine, peanuts and berries.
- Benefits: It is a polyphenolic antioxidant that has been found to effectively prevent heart diseases through the regulation of inflammation levels and improvement of blood vessels’ functioning.
- Product Examples: The actual products that have been investigated include resveratrol supplements and red wine extracts.
6. Garlic Extract
- Sources: Raw garlic, and garlic supplements.
- Benefits: Alternatively, garlic is one of the traditional herbs that has been known to assists in boosting the health of the cardiovascular system. Its active ingredients can therefore be used to reduce blood pressure, cholesterol levels and to fight the formation of plaque on the arteries.
- Product Examples: Epidemiological studies with garlic extract supplements and, to a lesser extent, aged garlic preparations.
Government initiatives
Several strategies have been put in place for the enhancement of heart health in the India. Here are some important ones:
1. India Hypertension Control Initiative (IHCI): IHCI is a federal collaborative effort by Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Government of India, Indian Council of Medical Research, World Health Organization, India and Resolve to Save Lives. Its aim is to prevent hypertension (high blood pressure) cases by a quarter of the target population by the year 2025. IHCI has goal to fast track treatment services and has grown from initially installed 25 districts to 100 districts in India.
2. Health and Wellness Centers (HWCs): Implementing the AB-HWC scheme, the government is merging new Accidents and Emergencies with the existing primary health centers. In that regard, such centers offer the first level of healthcare involving preventive and curative services. They endeavor to prevent and stabilize heart conditions and other non-communicable illnesses a majority of the time.
3. Comprehensive Primary Health Care (CPHC): Government plans to achieve the setup of 150000 AB-HWCs in India by December, 2022. These centers work to institution preventive, early detection, and management of heart diseases and other related diseases.
Conclusion
Hence, nutraceuticals appear as an avenue that can help promote heart health and, by extension, avert cardiovascular diseases. Increasing the OS offerings and the continuing research into the positive effects of such products, the consumer has more opportunities than ever before to improve his or her quality of life. Thus, these products have to be consumed not as the only remedies but with the adherence to proper nutrition, physical activity, and doctors’ recommendations.
