Beyond medication: Exploring promising nutraceuticals for cardiovascular and heart health

21 Mar 2024 --- Interest in proactive and preventive measures for heart health is surging among a diverse demographic as cardiovascular diseases remain the leading cause of death worldwide. Nutrition Insight speaks to several industry experts who confirm that consumers are increasingly turning to nutraceuticals and dietary supplements for heart and cardiovascular health.

“Some of the leading risk factors for compromised cardiovascular health are high blood pressure, high low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), diabetes, obesity, unhealthy diet and physical inactivity,” says Julie Lemahieu, global market manager at Gnosis by Lesaffre. 

“While cardiovascular health was once a concern only for the aging population, younger consumers are now starkly aware that their lifestyle can greatly impact the potential for impaired cardiovascular health. This may become a concern for younger consumers as they begin to start having their own families and want to be sure they remain healthy and active for all of life’s precious moments.”

Sarah Gonçalves, business development manager of nutraceuticals at Univar Solutions, adds: “Currently, significant attention is being paid to cardiovascular health across various global markets. This heightened focus is warranted, as cardiovascular disease remains the leading cause of death worldwide, claiming an estimated 17.9 million lives annually, as reported by the WHO.”

“The impact of cardiovascular disease extends to health care systems, with the Centers for Disease Control in the US allocating US$240 million yearly for heart disease-related health care.” 

Younger consumers are now starkly aware that their lifestyle can greatly impact the potential for impaired cardiovascular health.The old-fashioned approach
Gnosis by Lesaffre’s Lemahieu points out that traditionally, many consumers have taken a reactive approach to cardiovascular health, only taking action once their heart health has declined. At this point, drugs would usually be prescribed, and surgeries might be recommended. “It’s one of the reasons, for example, that statins are the most prescribed medication for lowering LDL-C levels, and their use has been on the rise over the last few decades,” she says.

“However, this traditional approach is not an effective proactive strategy for health,” she asserts. “Take statins as an example: in the process of reducing LDL-C levels, studies have shown they actually deplete coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) levels and inhibit the synthesis of vitamin K2, the cofactor for MGP (matrix gla protein) activation, which in turn protects arteries from calcification.” 

She explains that while this drug is prescribed for one aspect of cardiovascular health, its side effect is that it simultaneously impacts two important cardio-protective nutrients. “Statins’ impact on CoQ10 levels are so widely recognized that practitioners often recommend patients on statins offset the side effect by taking a CoQ10 supplement.”

Statins’ inhibition of vitamin K2 is not as widely recognized, and supplementation is not commonly recommended by most doctors as of yet. “We hope that the standard of care will change in the near future, where practitioners are recognizing the importance of vitamin K2 as a cardio-protective nutrient,” adds Lemahieu. 

Gnosis by Lesaffre offers a clinically validated MenaQ7 Vitamin K2 as MK-7, which is the “only vitamin K2 as MK-7 patented for cardiovascular health” Lemahieu outlines. The company also has a patent for the novel use of K2 with omega-3 fatty acids and vitamin D. 

“Cardiovascular health supplements are often positioned as alternatives to pharmaceuticals. For example, products targeting cholesterol, blood pressure or homocysteine, but most fail to recognize that there is no pharmaceutical solution for hardening the arteries. However, our three-year (2015) and one-year (2020) MenaQ7 cardiovascular studies show that K2 can significantly impact the progression and even regression of artery hardening,” says Lemahieu.

Preemptive dietary solutions 
According to Univar Solutions’ Gonçalves, the increasingly popular alternative products that support heart health and help mitigate cardiovascular disease include a diverse range of segments, including products aimed at maintaining healthy blood sugar levels, cardioprotective support and those targeting cholesterol reduction. 

“Traditional ingredients that support these segments include omega-3 fatty acids, CoQ10, essential vitamins and minerals and beta-sterols. The holistic eating segment is impacted by global policies aimed at reducing sodium intake by 30% and addressing the prevalent fiber deficiency crisis, with fewer than 5% of US citizens meeting their daily fiber requirements.” 

She states that studies have shown Univar Solution’s Oxyjun — from the extracts of aged bark of Terminalia arjuna — improve cardiac reserve, “a measure of capacity and strength typically measured in VO2 max.” 

“Multiple studies across a wide age demographic suggest that Oxyjun may improve endurance and perceived exertion, reduce fatigue by improving pumping capacity, measured by left and right ventricle faction and improve overall cardiovascular performance.” 

Ståle Søfting, sales and marketing director at GC Rieber VivoMega, underscores the significance of omega-3 for normal heart function.

“The leading heart health dietary supplements consumers turn to are the omega-3 fatty acids DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) and EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) as clinical studies have shown the fatty acids EPA and DHA help protect the heart in various ways, including inhibiting plaque formation, maintaining healthy blood pressure and healthy triglyceride levels. Specifically, published clinical evidence has shown that omega-3 can increase ‘good’ HDL (high-density lipoprotein) cholesterol levels and lower triglycerides by 15% to 30%.”

"Additionally, high blood pressure significantly increases the risk of poor heart function. Research has shown that even in small doses, EPA and DHA can help reduce blood pressure in individuals with elevated levels. Omega-3 EPA and DHA may also prevent plaque from building in the arteries and help to stabilize plaque that has begun to build up. Most significantly, omega-3 EPA and DHA have been shown to reduce abnormal heart rhythms.”

The leading heart health dietary supplements consumers turn to are the omega-3 fatty acids DHA and EPA.Natural heart-healthy solutions 
As cardiovascular and heart problems have developed over the decades, Gnosis by Lesaffre’s Lemahieu asserts the importance of making heart-healthy ingredients available for a range of people of different ages and preferences.

“Not all people happily consume their daily supplement in the traditional capsules or tablets, but rather expect healthy foods and supplements to fit their lifestyle, which for many are on-the-go. This is very evident in the sports segment where protein and sports powders are hugely popular, but other demographics are increasingly opting for their supplements to come in sachets that allow for quick dispersion and immediate consumption,” she details. 

She states that delivering health-enhancing compounds in a format that allows for immediate dispersion in a beverage of choice provides consumers with the greatest flexibility, which is key to ensuring good habits are kept over time. “Not only does it provide vitamin K2 protection in complex formulations, including with minerals, but it is also a dispersible powder, making it a perfect fit in heart-healthy formulations in these types of beverages.”

Jonathan Jones, chief scientific officer of Monteloeder, highlights the company’s lemon verbena and hibiscus flower extract product for cardiovascular and heart health. “Metabolaid is the result of ten years of research, assessing over 300 plant extracts and combinations to find the ideal blend to increase AMP-activated protein kinase activation in adipose tissue.” 

“The specific benefits on cardiovascular health have been evaluated in four clinical studies, demonstrating that Metabolaid supports healthy blood pressure levels and resting heart rate, even in the absence of diet and exercise.”

Meanwhile, Rob Brewster, president of Ingredients by Nature, explains: “Consumers are becoming more proactive in the heart health category but are looking for a more comprehensive approach to health. There are well-established heart health ingredients like omega-3s, magnesium and CoQ10. However, probiotics and polyphenols (also known as flavonoids) show great promise in the category.” 

“A published review of probiotics for cardiovascular benefits explains that accumulating evidence shows probiotics may support healthy LDL cholesterol and LDL/HDL cholesterol ratio, as well as healthy blood pressure, inflammatory mediators, blood glucose and body mass index,” he highlights. 

“In 2021, one narrative review also explored the role of flavonoids in heart health and found that they are a favorable ingredient to manage a healthy heart. One of the most effective heart health ingredients I’ve seen is a patented blend of natural citrus and palm fruit extracts branded Sytrinol. Sytrinol is a proprietary ingredient that combines citrus-derived PMFs (polymethoxylated flavones) with tocotrienols and has been clinically shown to deliver powerful heart health benefits.” 

Black seed oil
According to Morris Zelkah, CEO of TriNutra, “Nigella sativa, or black seed oil” has been proved to be an effective natural ingredient for overall heart health.

“The oil has been used for centuries as a method to improve various aspects of health and well-being, and specifically has been shown to support healthy cortisol levels, metabolic syndrome and blood pressure, all factors to support a healthy heart,” he says.

He highlights TriNutra’s black seed oil as a viable solution: “ThymoQuin is a full-spectrum black seed oil standardized to 3% thymoquinone, the main bioactive.”

"Additionally, ThymoQuin is standardized to contain less than 1.25% free fatty acids, which contributes to its stability and effectiveness. This unique, patent-protected, and UPS-grade composition helps to provide consumers with potent metabolic, blood pressure and cortisol support,” Zelkah concludes.

By Milana Nikolova