Heart

Study: High iron intake linked to irregular heart rhythm in specific genetic variations

27-Feb-2024 By Nikki Hancocks

New data pulled from the UK Biobank suggests high dietary iron intake increases the risk of irregular heart rhythm, with the link particularly significant for those with genetic variations associated cardiac development and cell signal transduction processes.

L-carnitine supplements improve lipid profile, meta-analysis finds

04-Sep-2023 By Olivia Haslam

A recent umbrella meta-analysis from Iran suggests that L-carnitine supplements exceeding 2g/day can enhance lipid profiles, particularly in patients with metabolic disorders and type 2 diabetes (T2DM).

Review proposes best omega-3 dose for blood pressure

14-Jun-2022 By Shane Starling

A daily omega-3 dose of between 2-3 grams per day has the most potential to lower blood pressure, according to a review of 71 studies.

More omega-3s equate to faster heart rate recovery, study finds

18-Dec-2020 By Hank Schultz

Subjects with a Omega-3 Index showed a more rapid heart rate recovery after exercise in a new study. The results suggest a cardioprotective role for these essential fatty acids, the authors said.

News in Brief

Study: Why does orange flavonoid reverse obesity?

04-Mar-2020 By Nikki Hancocks

A molecule found in sweet oranges and tangerines could help to reverse obesity and reduce the risk of heart disease and diabetes, a new study in mice has reaffirmed, but their theory behind the mechanism of the effects has been ruled out.

Meta-analysis: Omega-3 supplements reduce risk of heart attack and cardiovascular disease

02-Oct-2019 By Nikki Hancocks

People taking omega-3 supplements are at lower risks of heart attack and other cardiovascular disease (CVD) events but gain no benefit for stroke, according to a new meta-analysis.

SPECIAL EDITION: PERSONALISED NUTRITION

Wearable technology: Fitness tracker data backed to boost research and personalised health

28-Feb-2018 By Nathan Gray

The growing trend for wearable fitness trackers may not only help in following your own activity levels, according to new research that suggests insights from wearable devices might also be used in several fields of biomedical and nutrition research.

Omega-3 may protect against DNA damage in vascular cells: Study

02-Jan-2018 By Stephen Daniells

The potential heart health benefits of omega-3s may be linked (in part at least) to their ability to protect the DNA in the cells lining blood vessels, according to a study from Japanese researchers.

Nuts for healthier hearts: Large study supports health benefits of nuts

28-Nov-2017 By Stephen Daniells

Regular consumption of walnuts, tree nuts, and peanuts (yes, we know it’s a legume and not a ‘nut’) can slash the risk of developing cardiovascular disease or coronary heart disease, says the largest study of its kind.

Vitamin K1 deficiency linked to heart enlargement in adolescents

05-Oct-2017 By Tim Cutcliffe

Low intake of phylloquinone (vitamin K1) may be associated with increased risk of enlargement of the major pumping chamber in the heart, new data finds.

Does iron supplementation promise lower heart attack risk?

18-Jul-2017 By Will Chu

Iron supplementation may be a low-cost approach in reducing the risk of heart disease, as a study identifies low levels as a risk factor for one of the leading causes of death worldwide.

Vitamin K2 may be beneficial for athletic training: Study

07-Jul-2017 By Stephen Daniells

Supplements of vitamin K2 may boost the output of the heart by 12% in aerobically trained males and female athletes, says a new study.

New nitric oxide supplement draws inspiration from Nobel Prize-winning cardiovascular research

20-Jan-2017 By Adi Menayang

Rolling out into national retailers this month (such as Vitamin Shoppe and GNC) is a new brand of nitric oxide tablet supplements, called Berkeley Life Heart Health, designed to benefit cardiovascular health.

Nattopharma gets US patent on arterial benefits of MenaQ7

14-Jun-2016 By Hank Schultz

Norwegian vitamin K2 supplier Nattopharma has been awarded a US patent for its ingredient’s benefits in age-related hardening of the arteries.

Cocoa, tea compound may slash heart disease mortality by 40%

10-Jun-2016 By Stephen Daniells

Long-term consumption of epicatechin, a compound found in tea, apples, and cocoa, may significantly boost heart health and reduce the risk of heart-related mortality, says a new study from The Netherlands.

Soy intake may slash heart disease risk by 12%, but only for equol producers

09-Feb-2016 By Stephen Daniells

Soy supplements may reduce the risk of cardiovascular risk for people able to produce equol, a microbial-derived metabolite of the isoflavone daidzein, but equol supplements themselves may not have the same effects, says a new study.

Should vitamin K2 also be recommended for statin users?

20-May-2015 By Stephen DANIELLS

Statins may be “mitochondrial toxins”, says a new review that finds that the pharmaceuticals may not only deplete CoQ10 levels but also inhibit the synthesis of vitamin K2. The result could be negative effects on the heart and blood vessels.

Fish-liver oil when younger may reduce heart disease risk when older

27-Apr-2015 By Annie Harrison-Dunn

Consuming fish-liver oil three times weekly in adolescence or midlife may reduce a woman’s chances of coronary heart disease later in life, say Icelandic researchers.

‘Exciting findings’: Vitamin K2 supplements improve arterial function in healthy women

20-Feb-2015 By Stephen Daniells

Long-term supplementation with NattoPharma’s MenaQ7 vitamin K2 may inhibit age-related stiffening of the artery walls, says study with healthy postmenopausal women.

Nattopharma's vitamin K2 ingredient makes splash in arterial health space with new product launch

10-Feb-2015 By Hank Schultz

Vitamin K2, recognized in recent years for its role in bone health, is now making a splash in the cardiovascular disease realm with the launch of a new product using Nattopharma’s MenaQ7 ingredient.

Mars gears up for large-scale cocoa flavanol pill study

20-Mar-2014 By Annie Harrison-Dunn

Chocolate giant Mars and the US National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute are readying themselves for a five-year research project into possible heart-health benefits of taking a daily flavanol-rich capsule.

Dutch and Spanish team to take heart health fruit extract to the Americas

17-Jan-2014 By Shane Starling

Two European firms have joined to take a citrus fruit extract into American markets backed by as yet unpublished science showing blood circulation benefits.

Thorne Research teams with cardiology clinic to launch new supplement line

06-Dec-2013 By Hank Schultz

Thorne Research, a company that specializes in supplements for the practitioner channel, has partnered with a prominent cardiologist to launch a new line of cardiovascular health products.

Energy drink study leader: We did not state that a short-term increase in heart contraction rate is a health concern

04-Dec-2013 By Elaine WATSON

The lead researcher behind a high-profile paper showing energy drinks increase heart contraction rates has rejected claims by Monster Beverage Corp that the paper is ‘alarmist’ and stressed that “whether this increase in contractility is generally beneficial...

Resveratrol may support healthy blood circulation in obese adults: Study

10-Jun-2013 By Stephen DANIELLS

Daily supplements of resveratrol may boost blood flow and support heart health, says a new study using DSM’s Resvida product.

Omega-3s may boost artery function in smokers

07-Jun-2013 By Stephen DANIELLS

Cigarette smokers – a group at increased risk of heart problems – may benefit from daily omega-3 supplements, suggest new data from Greece.

Study unlocks benefits of walnut for heart health

14-May-2013 By Stephen Daniells

The heart health benefits of walnuts may be linked to different parts of the nuts acting on different physiological functions, says new data in the Journal of Nutrition.

DSM launches dry powder tomato extract for food supplements

14-May-2013

Dutch ingredients giant DSM is launching a dry powder form of its Fruitflow tomato extract which has an EFSA-approved health claim for improved blood circulation – attained in 2009.

Carnitine in blood is indicator of cardiovascular issues, not cause, expert says

22-Apr-2013 By Hank Schultz

A recent headline-grabbing study from the Cleveland Clinic linking L-carnitine with atherosclerosis is a case of shooting the messenger, according a doctor who did much of the early research on the substance.

Omega-3s may boost heart health for smokers: RCT data

10-Jan-2013 By Stephen DANIELLS

Cigarette smokers – a group at increased risk of heart problems – may benefit from daily omega-3 supplements, suggest data from a gold-standard randomized control trial.

Vitamin D supplements backed to slash diabetic heart disease risk

19-Nov-2012 By Nathan Gray

Low levels of vitamin D may be responsible for the increased risk of heart disease among diabetic people developing clogged up arteries, according to new research.

Researcher offers hope for omega-3s marketers

13-Sep-2012 By Hank Schultz

In light of a recent negative meta-analysis on the heart health benefits of omega-3s, a prominent researcher offered some ways forward for marketers of the ingredients.

Dark chocolate could reduce heart disease risk, says study

16-Aug-2012 By Oliver Nieburg

Cocoa compounds found in dark chocolate can reduce blood pressure in the short term and could help guard against cardiovascular disease, according to a recently released study.

'Breakthrough' study supports Pycnogenol's vascular benefits

07-Jun-2012 By Stephen DANIELLS

Daily supplements of an extract from French Maritime Pine bark may boost vascular health in people with stable coronary artery disease, according to data from a gold standard randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover study from Switzerland.

"Results that cannot be ignored"

Selenium + CoQ10 supplements may slash cardiovascular mortality: RCT

25-May-2012 By Stephen Daniells

Long-term supplementation with a combination of selenium and co-enzyme Q10 may decrease cardiovascular mortality by about 6%, according to a new study from Sweden with 'results that cannot be ignored'.

Taurine may provide heart health benefits: Study

02-Mar-2012 By Nathan Gray

Taurine could provide protection against heart disease in women with high cholesterol, according to the results of a new study.

Krill oil may benefit heart function: Rat study

05-Jan-2012 By Stephen Daniells

Supplements containing krill oil may boost heart function in an animal model of heart failure, according to results of small study with lab rats.

Polyphenol-rich juice may boost heart health: Coca-Cola study

29-Nov-2011 By Stephen Daniells

The potential heart health benefits of polyphenol-rich juice may be linked to a positive change in expression of protein linked to artery health, suggests data from a pilot study from Coca-Cola.

Functional overdrive: General Mills woos hearts, minds and stomachs

18-May-2011 By Elaine Watson

General Mills has signaled its intention to make a bold move into the functional foods market with new products targeting cardiovascular health, cognitive function and weight management.