Beta-carotene
Beta-carotene inhibits oxidation of cholesterol, reduces platelet aggregation and protects against coronary heart disease.
Dosage: 15,000 – 25,000 iu daily
Food Sources: yellow and orange fruit and vegetables and leafy green vegetables.
Niacin
Niacin reduces total and LDL (bad) cholesterol levels and increases HDL (good) cholesterol levels. Niacin also reduces fibrinogen formation.
Dosage: start at 100mg and increase to 1000mg, 3 times daily.
Food sources: brown rice, barley, legumes, salmon, sesame seeds.
Folic acid, vitamin B6 and vitamin B12
These vitamins all reduce homocysteine levels; a substance that appears to damage the lining of the arteries and encourage heart disease. Vitamin B6 also reduces platelet aggregation.
Dosage and Food Sources:
Folic Acid: 600mcg daily, found in leafy greens and brown rice
Vitamin B6: 50 mg daily, found in whole grains, lentils and sweet potatoes.
Vitamin B12: 100mcg daily, found in fish, chicken and eggs.
Pantethine
Pantethine inhibits cholesterol synthesis, reduces blood cholesterol and triglyceride levels and increases HDL levels. It also accelerates fatty acid breakdown in the mitochondria.
Dosage: 900 mg daily.
Vitamin C
Vitamin C reduces high cholesterol levels especially in conjunction with a high fiber intake. Vitamin C reduces oxidation of LDL cholesterol and builds collagen to enhance the strength of the artery walls.
Dosage: 3000-6000mg daily
Food sources: citrus, strawberries, red pepper, sprouts.
Vitamin E
Vitamin E reduces cholesterol oxidation, increases good cholesterol, reduces the risk of blood clotting, improves the repair of cells that line the arteries and reduces the risk of death from a heart attack.
Dosage: 100 iu increasing to 1000 iu daily of d-alpha-tocopherol.
Food sources: almonds, filberts, sesame seeds, wheat germ, soy, asparagus, cabbage, cucumber.
Magnesium
Magnesium reduces total cholesterol levels, increases HDL (good) cholesterol levels, dilates coronary arteries and increases circulation to the heart. Magnesium also assists with blood pressure regulation. Magnesium deficiency is linked to an increased risk of coronary heart disease, heart attack and arrhythmia.
Dosage: 750-1000mg daily
Food sources: almonds, parsley, spinach, soy.
Chromium
Chromium reduces LDL (bad) cholesterol levels and increases HDL (good) cholesterol.
Dosage: 100-400mcg daily
Food Sources: brewer’s yeast, whole grains, wheat germ, potato, banana, spinach.
Selenium
Selenium acts as an antioxidant, reducing oxidation of LDL cholesterol. Deficiency of selenium is associated with an increased risk of coronary heart disease and heart attack.
Dosage: 200-300mcg daily
Food sources: brewers yeast, wheat germ, Brazil nuts, sardines.
