Heart disease is the number one killer in the U.S., with one in four Americans suffering from some form of the disease.

The good news is that while cardiovascular disease may be responsible for more American deaths than any other disease, it is also one of the most preventable of all life-threatening illnesses.

Current research confirms that we can greatly minimize our risk of cardiovascular disease through healthy lifestyle changes, which include nutritional supplementation.

How can vitamins and minerals reduce your risk of heart disease?

Key vitamins and minerals play a number of different roles in reducing our risk of heart disease. Below are some of the most effective cardio-protective nutrients:

Vitamin E is one of the better-researched nutrients for protecting the heart and helping to prevent cardiovascular disease in a variety of ways.

These include neutralizing free radicals, improving the ratio of HDL ("good") cholesterol and LDL ("bad") cholesterol, lowering triglyceride levels and reducing the accumulation of fatty arterial plaques (Arch Intern Med 1999;159(12):1313-20), (Amer Fam Phys 1999; 60 (3):895-904).

Folic acid—along with the vitamins B-6 and B-12—is one of the most important of all nutrients for heart health. You may have heard of the role of homocysteine in heart disease.

Elevated levels of homocysteine have many negative cardiovascular effects (Prog Cardiovasc Nurs 2002 Winter;17(1):35-41).

Fortunately, folic acid reduces homocysteine levels naturally, especially when supported by ample amounts of vitamins B-6 and B-12 (Journal of the American Medical Association 2002 Aug 28;288(8):973-9).

Niacin—another vital nutrient for heart health—promotes the regression of coronary artery disease and decreases heart attacks, strokes and total mortality.

Niacin also appears to increase HDL cholesterol and lower LDL cholesterol.

Additionally, this important nutrient has been used safely and effectively in patients with type II diabetes, who often have low HDL levels (Curr Atheroscler Rep 2001 Jan;3(1):74-82).

Magnesium, according to a recent study in the International Journal of Epidemiology (1999 Aug;28(4):645-51), appears to play an important role in preventing heart disease.

The study found that the more magnesium contained in the blood, the lower the rate of mortality—from not only heart disease, but death from all causes.

Magnesium appears to lower total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol and triglycerides, while raising HDL cholesterol (J Amer Col Nutr 1990;9(5):527 abst. 23).

Selenium is strongly associated with heart health. This important mineral offers powerful antioxidant protection that works in conjunction with vitamin E to support and promote a healthy heart.

Numerous studies have linked low levels of selenium to various forms of heart disease (Atherosclerosis 1992; 96(1):33-42), (Am J Clin Nutr 1999;70(3):625S).

Chromium supplementation has been shown to raise HDL cholesterol and lower total cholesterol and triglyceride levels (Diabetes Care 1994;17:1449-52), (West J Med 1990;152:41-5).

Bioflavonoids—a group of unique compounds found in fruits and vegetables known to have antioxidant properties—promote a healthy heart.

Bioflavonoids prevent low-density lipoprotein oxidation in vitro, and may play a role in the prevention of coronary heart disease in postmenopausal women (Am J Epidemiol 1999 May 15;149(10):943-9).

Other research suggests that people with very low intakes of bioflavonoids have higher risks of coronary disease (BMJ 1996 Feb 24;312(7029):478-81).

Along with this array of heart-healthy nutrients, the herb hawthorn deserves special mention. Research suggests that hawthorn supports heart health by increasing the integrity of the blood vessel walls, improving coronary blood flow and promoting oxygen utilization.

This important herb also appears to have a beneficial effect on blood lipids (Am J Health Syst Pharm 2002 Mar 1;59(5):417-22).

Rigorous clinical trials have demonstrated that hawthorn improves symptoms of congestive heart failure without adverse drug reactions (Fortschr Med 1996 Jan 20;114(1-2):27-9).

As you can see, although heart disease is a serious concern, acquiring sufficient levels of key nutrients can go a long way in helping you to protect yourself naturally.

A full-spectrum, high-potency, multi-vitamin/mineral formula can be one of the easiest and most effective changes you can make today.

For more information about natural healthy heart solutions, please contact Kiki Powers at kiki@aboutnhs.com.