Natural Cure for Angina

Natural Cure for Angina - Herbs

• Hawthorn: Hawthorn is anti-inflammatory and an antioxidant. Research has shown that hawthorn extracts improve heart function by opening up the coronary arteries, which improves the blood and oxygen supply to the heart. It strengthens artery walls and also decreases blood cholesterol levels. A daily dosage of 240 to 480 milligrams of standardized extract is recommended. However, since hawthorn is a powerful heart medicine, do not take it without discussing it with your doctor.
• Garlic: Garlic has antioxidant properties and has a natural blood-thinning effect. It helps treat heart disease by lowering cholesterol and blood pressure and by preventing formation of the blood clots that trigger heart attack. Recommended dosage is 300 to 500 mg of aged garlic twice a day.
• Ginger: Ginger is an antioxidant. It lowers cholesterol and prevents platelets from sticking together. Ginger also boosts the strength of heart muscle tissue, as does the medication digitalis. Ginger works best if eaten fresh and on an empty stomach. Recommended dosage is 250 mg of freeze-dried fresh root in capsules per day.
• Ginkgo: Ginkgo is an antioxidant. It improves blood flow, and has blood-thinning properties. Ginkgo also has a tonic effect on blood vessels, gradually improving their overall health. Choose a ginkgo extract made with 24 percent ginkgo flavone glycosides. Recommended dosage is around 80 mg twice a day.
• Khella: It has been found that a compound in khella (khellin) increases blood flow into the heart. This herb also improves exercise tolerance and normalizes heart rhythms in people with angina. Recommended dosage is 250 mg of capsules standardized to 12 percent khellin per day.

Natural Cure for Angina - Nutritional Supplements

• L-carnitine: L-carnitine is an amino acid that helps reduce the symptoms of angina by lowering triglyceride levels and improving heart contraction. Recommended dosage is 500 to 1000 mg two times per day.
• Coenzyme Q10: CoQ10 is effective for heart health - it lowers blood pressure and helps improve angina. It helps the heart cells to pump more efficiently and with regular rhythm. Several studies suggest that taking CoQ10 may allow people with angina to exercise more without pain. Recommended dosage is 150 mg per day.
  NOTE: High doses of CoQ10 may interfere with some blood-thinners, so talk to your doctor before taking CoQ10 if you take anticoagulants.
• Magnesium: Magnesium is well-known for its ability to relax the smooth (involuntarily controlled) muscles. It improves blood circulation and reduces blood pressure. If you have angina, talk to your doctor to see if your diet is adequate in magnesium. Your doctor might suggest making changes in your diet to increase the magnesium content, or he may recommend magnesium supplementation.
• Vitamin E: Vitamin E is an antioxidant. It works directly in helping to prevent the buildup of fatty plaque that restricts blood flow to the heart muscle. It also inhibits the tendency for platelets to stick to each other and to the inside walls of blood vessels. Recommended dosage is 100 to 400 IU per day.

Natural Cure for Angina - Diet

• Foods that have antioxidant properties such as fresh vegetables and fruits.
• Foods rich in esential fatty acids, such as fish (salmon, halibut, and mackerel); flaxseeds, olive oil, and raw nuts (except peanuts). Essential fatty acids are the "good" fats that can protect the heart and reduce inflammation in the arteries.
• Foods rich in magnesium or potassium, such as green vegetables, wheat germ, soybeans, potatoes, etc.
• Garlic and onions.

• Foods that are sources of harmful fats (saturated fat, trans fat, hydrogenated fats), such as red meat, dairy products, butter, eggs, palm oil, coconut oil.
• Foods rich in sodium, such as processed foods and fast foods.
• Alcohol - Limit alcohol intake to 2 drinks per day for men and 1 drink per day for women.