5. Turmeric
When it comes to spices for heart health, there is none better than turmeric. The active ingredient in this bright yellow spice, commonly used in Indian dishes, is curcumin, an incredibly potent polyphenol. Green Med Info reveals a whopping 782 diseases researched using curcumin with 2195 abstracts (16).
If there was ever a cure-all ingredient, turmeric would be it. When it comes to heart health, there are over 45 studies that clearly show how powerful this cardio-protective spice is (17) A study published in Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis, and Vascular Biology even shows how turmeric can prevent the damage to arteries normally associated with blockages (18).
And forget Aspirin for heart disease prevention according to a 2016 study, a daily dose of curcumin can significantly improve the functional state of your blood vessels within just two months (19). Researchers conclude, “Oral curcumin supplementation may present a simple lifestyle strategy for decreasing the risk of cardiovascular diseases.”
6. B Vitamins
The B vitamins include (20):
- B1 (thiamine)
- B2 (riboflavin)
- B3 (niacin)
- B5 (pantothenic acid)
- B6
- B7 (biotin)
- B12
- Folic acid
Typically, you can get all of these in one B-complex vitamin, although these aren’t your best bet for long-term health. Studies clearly show how important this group of vitamins is for heart health. Recently, researchers found that a naturally occurring amino acid called homocysteine is key in heart disease.
In fact, just small elevations of this amino acid in your blood can build up and cause arterial inflammation and damage that makes you more susceptible to heart disease according to studies (21).
Luckily, scientists also found that three of the B vitamins, folic acid, vitamin B12 and vitamin B6, are powerful combatants for heart disease. A 2005 study published in Atherosclerosis shows that 2.5 mg folic acid, 25 mg Vitamin B6 and 0.5mg Vitamin B12, when taken for one year, can successfully lower homocysteine levels and reduce the thickness of the arteries (22).
A 2006 study published in Current Medical Research and Opinion shows that niacin is also important for heart health. This B vitamin can raise levels of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), reduce the thickness of arterial walls and improve endothelial function while decreasing vascular inflammation (23). Folic acid is also helpful according to studies for reducing arterial wall thickness (24).
Best Foods High In B Vitamins
Some of the best foods high in B vitamins include salmon, trout, leafy greens like spinach, liver and organ meats, eggs, milk, beef, oysters, clams, and mussels, legumes like beans and peas, chicken and yogurt.
7. L-Arginine
Finally, the last natural powerhouse for reversing clogged arteries is the amino acid, L-Arginine, which is actually capable of preventing arterial thickening by as much as 24 percent according to studies (25, 26).
Among other important health benefits, this potent amino acid is also known to fight inflammation, a huge factor in heart disease, lower your risk for arteriosclerosis and heart attack, repair blood vessels, fight congestive heart failure (CHF) and coronary artery disease and even help to lower high blood pressure (27). According to Green Med Info, L-Arginine is actually helpful for158 different diseases and is definitely something you should add to your list for natural ways to reverse clogged arteries (28).
Best Foods High In L-Arginine
Some of the best foods high in L-Arginine include turkey, pork loin, chicken, pumpkin seeds, soybeans, peanuts, spirulina, dairy, chickpeas and lentils.
This is just a small number of nature’s amazing substances for helping to reduce your risk of heart disease. There are actually close to 300 natural substances known for heart health (29). Drugs are not always the answer.
A healthy diet and plenty of exercise, along with nature’s medicines can go a long way to keeping you and your heart healthy for years to come.