The positive effects of l-Arginine may be explained by its role as the biochemical source of nitric oxide. Nitric oxide is produced by all the cells in the body. In particular, it plays a vital role in the proper functioning of the cardiovascular system. Nitric oxide is responsible for maintaining the proper physiological flexibility of the arterial wall.
In a study involving people with Chronic Heart Failure, l-Arginine given in oral form, was observed to significantly augment exercise endurance. Participants were divided into two groups: those being treated with l-Arginine and a control group that was not treated with the supplement. The participants were asked to perform the same half hour endurance exercise prior to starting their l-Arginine regimen. Six weeks later, both groups were asked to repeat the exercise. Various physiological indexes were compared between the l-Arginine group and the control group. After analyzing the results, the study concluded that the use of l-Arginine may improve exercise endurance in patients with Chronic Heart Failure.
In 1922, University of California scientists, Katherine Bishop and Herbert Evans discovered
Vitamin E (tocopherol) in green vegetables. There are certain indicators that suggest that Gamma tocopherol may be biochemically transformed to Alpha tocopherol in the organism in a process assisted by intestinal microflora. A study has demonstrated that there is an inverse relationship between blood levels of
Vitamin E and the death rate due to Coronary Heart Disease. Patients with lower plasma levels of
Vitamin E have higher rate of angina as a result of Coronary Heart Disease. It has been shown in controlled trials, that Vitamin E supplementation was helpful for the primary and secondary prevention of Coronary Heart Disease.
Only a handful of studies have assessed Gamma tocopherol function. However, those few studies imply a strong physiological role of the Gamma form of tocopherol. Both Alpha and Gamma forms of tocopherols are powerful antioxidants; the Gamma form, however, has an exceptional function. Due to its unique biochemical structure, the Gamma form scavenges nitrogen-type free radicals very effectively. As a powerful antioxidant, it is important to supplement Gamma form of Vitamin E for the prevention of Coronary Heart Disease.
In a respected study conducted in the Preventive Medicine Research Institute (California),
pomegranate juice was administered for 3 months to patients suffering from Coronary Heart Disease.
Scientists have concluded that daily use of
pomegranate juice decreased exercise induced heart muscle ischemia in patients with Coronary Heart Disease. The patients were divided into 2 groups: the first group was asked to drink
Pomegranate juice, while the second group drank a placebo similar in color and flavor. After three months, the degree of exercise induced ischemia decreased in the group drinking pomegranate juice, but increased in the placebo group. This benefit was established with no change in medications.
A study done in Israel, explored an action of pomegranate juice on LDL (low-density lipoprotein - "bad cholesterol") oxidation. By inhibiting LDL oxidation, pomegranate juice actually slowed the progression of atherosclerosis. The measure of the carotid artery wall internal layer, or intima, thickness was used as an indicator of the progression of atherosclerosis. Pomegranate juice group patients were found to have a 30% reduction in the thickness of the intima for a period of 12 months. In the group taking placebo, the intima thickness actually increased 9% for the same period of time.
In the clinical trials of class II Chronic Heart Failure, the subjects received 300 mg doses of hawthorn extract, daily. An increase in cardiac function, exercise ability and well-being was observed. A mild drop in blood pressure was observed as well.
In another study, hawthorn extract was shown to alleviate the symptoms of Chronic Heart Failure either alone or in combination with Captopril, a member of the ACE inhibitor group.
Reviews from a few studies have revealed that 900 mg/day doses of hawthorn extract is more efficient compared with 300 mg/day doses. Higher doses (up to1800 mg/day) are currently being researched.
There are a number of studies that have confirmed the multiple benefits of
Omega 3 fish oil on the various aspects of cardiovascular system. These studies indicate that
Omega 3 fish oil helps maintain healthy cholesterol levels, slows the progression of atherosclerosis, has a blood thinning effect, antiarrhythmic effect, and others. Undoubtedly, taking
Omega 3 Fish oil may produce many desirable effects to individuals with a compromised cardiovascular system, especially those suffering from Coronary Heart Disease.