Yes Or No To Supplements

My apologies for having stayed away for this long… I was up to my neck sending out resumes after it was agreed that yes it was a total misfit for me to stay in an organisation as such. For one, I have NEVER in my whole entire life seen a Human Resource Executive who bitches about one staff to another. I have NEVER seen a Human Resource Executive who is so well-disliked by everyone such that her requests to join her colleagues for lunch has always been turned down flat. I kinda pitied her initially, trying to make myself and my colleagues believe that we should give her a chance despite her very frequent “accidental spillage” of info to the higher management. But instead of appreciating it, she stirred so much shit about me, distorting whatever I had told her, attempting to make me point fingers at my direct boss in being incapable of managing, making it totally impossible for me to stay on and for them to keep me. Yes… so that’s what’s been keeping me busy…

Let’s get back on track…

Whenever vitamin and mineral supplements are the topic of discussion, I often see myself facing 2 camps: the “non-believers” and those who totally swear by it. Personally I think supplements are indeed a very necessary part of our diets. Do not get me wrong, though. It is real food and healthy eating that should be the priority source of nutrition. It is only when there are gaps in the ideal and the actual levels of certain vitamins and minerals that supplements come into the picture. In short, supplements are to add on to your diet, and not replace it.

So what are some of the common supplements that promote a healthy heart? The following information was obtained from WebMD:

1. Omega 3 Fatty Acids (Fish Oil, Flaxseed Oil)

>> Omega-3 fatty acids found in fish oil, flaxseed oil, and algae oil provide significant reductions in triglyceride levels and increases in good HDL cholesterol. It however has no effects on “bad” LDL cholesterol levels.

2. Red Yeast Rice

>> Red yeast rice is derived from a specific yeast that grows on rice. This extract has been shown to lower total and LDL cholesterol and triglyceride levels, help prevent heart attack, and improve blood flow.

3. Green Tea Extract

>> Green tea extract is made from the dried leaves of Camellia sinensis, a perennial evergreen shrub. It is shown to decrease LDL by 16%.

4. Coenzyme Q10

>> Coenzyme Q10 is produced by the body and is necessary for basic cell functioning. It has been suggested in some studies that CoQ10 may reduce chest pain (angina). CoQ10 is also known to make exercise for those with clogged arteries easier. Nonetheless, it is always crucial to consult your physician before embarking on any strenuous activities.

5. Soy

>> Soy has been shown to decrease total and LDL cholesterol, with smaller benefits to triglycerides. However, soy supplements have not been proven to reduce long-term risk of heart attack or stroke.

6. Niacin

>> Also known as vitamin B-3 or nicotinic acid, niacin is a well-accepted treatment for high cholesterol.

7. Plant Sterols

>> Plant sterols are derived from plant-based foods and are used to enrich margarines and other foods. Many human and animal studies have found that plant sterol-enriched products lower total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol. Plant sterols have no effect on triglycerides or HDL.

>> Artichoke leaf extract, yarrow, and holy basil may help lower cholesterol, according to early studies. These and other commonly used herbs and spices — like ginger, turmeric, and rosemary — are being studied for their potential in preventing heart disease.

The above mentioned were extracted from WebMD. Please click on the link above for more details.

Having read the above, there is no reason why we should not believe that supplements do indeed play a part in the maintenance of our health, be it the heart or any other organs.

Looking at the items listed above, it does not really cause any harm in having them as part of our diet, does it?