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Clinton Zimmerman ND, Big Rapids, MI (2025)

08/25/2021

One intelligent lady.

08/10/2021

I have decided to limit/disconnect my time on this public forum. As these times are changing rapidly I need to concentrate on the massive amount of clients coming through with odd and strange sicknesses/symptoms. I’m needing more time to document and research from my personal findings and the findings of colleagues whom I trust. We are working diligently to finding answers and solutions for participates in the worlds greatest medical experiment, which seems to have many unknown/known side effects.
As a medical professional I have taken an oath to help all to the best of my knowledge and ability. I can only do this with dedicating time to uncovering a solution instead of being an armchair activist.
I do feel, currently, I’ve done my part in getting the information out there. If I find anything of significance I’ll post occasionally. Which I’m sure the limiting shadow algorithms will prevent information from being shared.
I am however looking at other platforms that offer more freedom and less censorship - I’ll keep you posted if I decide to continue on one of those.

If you’d like to contact me for a consultation please email me at Clinton@redfoxmarket.com or call/text my business phone 231-679-0705. Messaging me here… might take weeks for a reply.

08/09/2021

Providing an abundance of fiber, essential minerals and nutrients, Swiss chard has noteworthy benefits that rival those of its more popular peers in the world of leafy greens

Swiss chard may not be the most popular leafy green out there, but it is just as nutritionally promising if you're looking for a healthy staple in your diet. It belongs to the Chenopodiodeae family, like well-loved spinach.

Its name might make you think it hailed from Switzerland, but Swiss chard is actually a native plant in the Mediterranean region used as "both food and fodder since ancient times."[i] Here are some compelling reasons to add Swiss chard to your life or garden today.

Chock Full of Nutrients

Just 1 cup, or 175 grams (g), of cooked Swiss chard offers a healthy amount of fiber along with the following, based on reference daily intake (RDI):[ii]

Vitamin C: 35%
Iron: 22%
Calcium: 8%
Potassium: 20%
Phosphorus: 5%
As you can see, Swiss chard can more than take care of your vitamin A and K1 needs. It is also fiber-rich and filling, making for a friendly food item when you're managing your weight. Fiber plays a number of critical roles in the body including optimizing gut bacteria, promoting good bowel health and helping optimize cholesterol levels.[iii]

In a systematic review, researchers looked at the nutritional profile and bioactive composition of the plant, finding that Swiss chard leaves, as opposed to the stems, have the highest concentration of fiber, sodium, magnesium, flavonoids as well as vitamin C; the stems are a rich source of potassium.[iv] They wrote:

"Swiss chard should be considered a source of nutrients and phytochemicals, and further research is needed on identifying and quantifying other bioactive compounds and understanding their impact on health."

Helps Control Type 2 Diabetes

Swiss chard can help regulate blood sugar levels in the body. In a BMJ Open study, higher green leafy vegetable or fruit intake was associated with a significantly reduced risk of Type 2 diabetes.[v]

In a Turkish animal study, chard extract was administered to the diabetic subjects in doses of 2 g/kg every day for 28 days.[vi] The diabetic group given chard saw their blood glucose and uric acid levels drop, and the researchers concluded that the plant extract had a protective effect on the liver of diabetics.

Reduces Blood Pressure

Calcium, magnesium and potassium are minerals believed to help reduce blood pressure by pushing sodium out of the body along with helping the arteries dilate. Swiss chard contains these three minerals.

In a 2013 study, Swiss chard and other foods that are high in nitrates were found to offer vascular health benefits, such as reducing blood pressure and enhancing endothelial dysfunction.[vii] Based on preclinical studies on nitrates, there could be protective effects leading to reduced arterial stiffness, inflammation and intimal thickness.

Assists in Weight Loss

A fiber-rich vegetable like Swiss chard can help keep you feeling full longer, slashing the likelihood of unhealthy snacking.

In a study involving 120 overweight subjects, those who got twice the amount of vegetables had better weight loss and satisfaction after meals.[viii] "In the short term, consuming a higher proportion of the dietary energy as vegetables may support a greater weight loss and the dietary pattern appears sustainable," the study concluded.

Those who consume vegetables the most, as seen in a study on 563,277 subjects, are less likely to be overweight or obese.[ix]

Maintains Anticancer Potential

Not unlike its fellow leafy greens, Swiss chard has anticancer properties, in part because of its massive antioxidant content.[x] Its antioxidants, like xylosylvitexin, can be effective chemopreventive compounds, tied to a wide range of cancers including colon cancer.[xi] The compounds in Swiss chard may help promote activity against breast cancer cells, while increased consumption of green leafy vegetables in general may work against bladder cancer.[xii],[xiii]

How to Grow and Use Swiss Chard

Swiss chard can be eaten raw or cooked, although its taste becomes less bitter once it's sauteed or cooked another way. You may add the greens to your salad, soups or stews, or use it as a side dish on its own.

If you're keen on growing your own vegetables, know that Swiss chard prefers an area with full sun to partial shade. The soil, too, should be loose enough for draining properly. Follow these steps from Gardening Know How:[xiv]

Make a row in the soil. Plant your seeds about a half inch deep, with eight to 10 seeds per foot. Keep around 18 inches of space between rows.
Once the plants are a few inches tall, thin them to make them four to six inches apart.
As it is easy to grow in general, simply give your chard enough room, water and a bit of natural fertilizer.

References

[i] Romeiras M et al "Evolutionary and Biogeographic Insights on the Macaronesian Beta-Patellifolia Species (Amaranthaceae) from a Time-Scaled Molecular Phylogeny" PLoS One. 2016; 11(3): e0152456. Epub 2016 Mar 31

[ii] My Food Data https://tools.myfooddata.com/nutrition-facts/170401/wt1

[iii] Kaczmarczyk M et al "The health benefits of dietary fiber: beyond the usual suspects of type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease and colon cancer" Metabolism. 2012 Aug; 61(8): 1058-1066. Epub 2012 Mar 7.

[iv] Gamba M et al "Bioactive compounds and nutritional composition of Swiss chard ( Beta vulgaris L. var. cicla and flavescens): a systematic review" Crit Rev Food Sci Nutr. 2020 Aug 4;1-16.

[v] Li M et al "Fruit and vegetable intake and risk of type 2 diabetes mellitus: meta-analysis of prospective cohort studies" BMJ Open. 2014 ;4(11):e005497. Epub 2014 Nov 5.

[vi] Ozsoy-Sacan O et al "Effects of chard (Beta vulgaris L. var cicla) on the liver of the diabetic rats: a morphological and biochemical study" Biosci Biotechnol Biochem. 2004 Aug;68(8):1640-8.

[vii] Lidder S et al "Vascular effects of dietary nitrate (as found in green leafy vegetables and beetroot) via the nitrate-nitrite-nitric oxide pathway" Br J Clin Pharmacol. 2013 Mar;75(3):677-96.

[viii] Tapsell L et al "Weight loss effects from vegetable intake: a 12-month randomised controlled trial" Eur J Clin Nutr. 2014 Jul; 68(7): 778-785. Epub 2014 Mar 26.

[ix] Schwingshackl L et al "Fruit and Vegetable Consumption and Changes in Anthropometric Variables in Adult Populations: A Systematic Review and Meta-A**lysis of Prospective Cohort Studies" PLoS One. 2015; 10(10): e0140846. Epub 2015 Oct 16.

[x] Gennari L et al "Total extract of Beta vulgaris var. cicla seeds versus its purified phenolic components: antioxidant activities and antiproliferative effects against colon cancer cells" Phytochem A**l. May-Jun 2011;22(3):272-9.

[xi] Deneo-Pellegrini H et al "Vegetables, fruits, and risk of colore**al cancer: a case-control study from Uruguay" Nutr Cancer. 1996;25(3):297-304.

[xii] Ninfali P et al "Characterization and biological activity of the main flavonoids from Swiss Chard (Beta vulgaris subspecies cycla)" Phytomedicine. 2007 Feb;14(2-3):216-21. Epub 2006 May 15.

[xiii] Xu C et al "Fruits and Vegetables Intake and Risk of Bladder Cancer: A PRISMA-Compliant Systematic Review and Dose-Response Meta-A**lysis of Prospective Cohort Studies" Medicine (Baltimore). 2015 May ;94(17):e759.

[xiv] Gardening Know How https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/vegetables/swiss-chard/how-to-grow-swiss-chard.htm

08/09/2021

α-Pinene and β-pinene are natural components that have two incredible benefits.

They can help calm inflammation and reduce the presence of microbes (including certain types of bacteria and viruses).

If an oil contains either α- or β-pinene, I know it’ll be great for cold and flu care.

Douglas Fir oil contains BOTH!
This recipe is for a massage oil that soothes achy muscles when you have a cold or the flu. The pinenes comfort those sore muscles, while also helping your body clear out any invaders trying to take you down for the count.

Pinene Cold & Achy Massage Oil

1 oz (30 ml) St. John’s wort infused oil
8 drops Douglas Fir oil
6 drops Coriander oil
4 drops Juniper Berry oil
Make this massage oil in a 1 oz (30 ml) glass bottle. Combine the St. John’s Wort infused oil and the essential oils, then shake gently.

Massage your shoulders, neck, back, arms, legs, and anywhere else that feels achy when you have a cold or the flu!

What’s St. John’s wort infused oil?
If you’ve never used St. John’s Wort infused oil, I think you’re going to love it!

St. John’s Wort is an herb that’s traditionally used to comfort the body after injuries or tension, and to boost the mood. The carrier for this blend is pure olive oil that’s been infused with therapeutic St. John’s wort blossoms. It helps lift the low spirits that a cold or the flu can bring along!

REFERENCES
Astani A, Reichling J, Schnitzler P (2010) Comparative study on the antiviral activity of selected monoterpenes derived from essential oils. Phytotherapy Research 24(5):673-9. doi: 10.1002/ptr.2955

Da Silva AC, Lopes PM, de Azevedo MM, Costa DC, Alviano CS, Alviano DS. (2012) Biological activities of a-pinene and ß-pinene enantiomers. Molecules 2012 17, 6305–16.

Guimarães AG, Quintans JSS, Quintans-Júnior LJ. (2013) Monoterpenes with analgesic activity – a systematic review. Phytotherapy Research 27,1-15.

Liapi C, Anifandis G, Chinou I, Kourounakis AP et al. (2008) Antinociceptive properties of 1,8-cineole and beta-pinene, from the essential oil of Eucalyptus camaldulensis leaves, in rodents. Planta Medica 74,7,789.

08/08/2021

Radishes are root vegetables that not only add a welcome crunch to your salads and a tangy pickled taste to your meals, but also provide beneficial effects for your heart, urinary tract and more

Radishes are root vegetables that might not command the most attention but offer plenty of health benefits. They come in a wealth of colors ranging from white to purple to black, and can be round or long and cylindrical.

Radishes can be cooked, eaten raw or pickled, depending on your taste or preference. People usually consume them raw as a crunchy vegetable in salads or as part of a number of European dishes.[i] Middle Easterners may drink radish juice to get their nutrients and other perks.

In folk medicine in Greece and the Arab world, radishes are regarded as household remedies for conditions such as gallstones, jaundice, liver problems, indigestion, re**al prolapse and other gastric woes.[ii] Here are some of their health benefits as backed by modern research.

1. Better Digestion

A half cup of raw radish (about 12 medium radishes) provides 1 gram (g) of dietary fiber, so several servings a day can help you reach your target daily intake.[iii] Fiber has been linked to improved digestion as well as an inverse relationship to obesity, Type two diabetes, cancer and heart disease.[iv]

Radish leaves may be particularly helpful for digestion. According to the findings of a 2008 study, animal models fed a high-cholesterol diet had a good fiber source in radish leaf powder, which helped enhance their digestive function.[v] Radishes are known to promote the production of bile, a crucial element of optimal digestion that assists the liver and gallbladder.[vi]

2. Relief of Urinary Discomfort

Radishes are diuretic, which means they help increase the production of urine. Since ancient times, extracts from the plant have been used to treat urinary infections among a host of benefits, mostly attributed to the presence of glucosinolates, polyphenols, and isothiocyanates in it.[vii]

A radish-containing diet was also found to increase the excretion of calcium oxalate, which forms kidney stones, versus self-selected diets. The crystal count in the urine was found to be significantly higher in both men and women.[viii] Radish also surfaced in a 2012 study to act against Candida albicans, a common cause of oral and vaginal yeast infections.[ix] The root crop was found to help induce cell death in the fungus.

3. Liver and Gallbladder Protection

Radish is known to have protective effects on the liver and gallbladder. Based on a 2012 study on animal models, white radish enzyme extracts may shield against hepatotoxicity.[x]

"R. sativus extract did not show any toxic effects and could be considered as a potent hepatoprotectant," the researchers wrote, noting that the leaf powder may be effective in reducing transaminase and total bilirubin -- two markers of liver health.

In another study, black radish juice relieved cholesterol gallstones and decreased triglycerides while increasing HDL cholesterol levels in mice.[xi] In Mexico, black radish juice is a folk treatment for gallstones as well as reducing cholesterol.

4. Anticancer Properties

A 2010 study linked radish root extract, particularly its various types of isothiocyanates, to cell death in some cancer cell lines.[xii] The root "exerts potential chemopreventive efficacy and induces apoptosis in cancer cell lines through modulation of genes involved in apoptotic signaling pathway," noted the researchers.

Radish seed extract, too, was seen in a 2019 study to induce cancer cell death and reduce the migration of oral squamous cell carcinoma, thus serving as a potential anticancer drug.[xiii]

5. Enhanced Cardiovascular Health

Radishes are a rich source of anthocyanins, flavonoids that not only give them their vibrant color but also a number of health benefits.

Epidemiological studies show that increased anthocyanin consumption lowers the risk of cardiovascular disease.[xiv] These flavonoids usually interact with other phytochemicals for synergistic effects and possibly regulate various signaling pathways involved in heart disease development. Anthocyanins display vital properties that may benefit both heart disease and cancer cases in humans.[xv]

Radishes in Your Vegetable Garden

Consider planting spring radishes, with successive planting of short rows every 10 to 14 days.[xvi] You may also opt to plant them in late winter in a shielded cold frame, window box or container in the house or on your patio. Sow the seeds 1/4 to 1/2 inch deep and thin the spring varieties to 1/2 to 1 inch in between plants. Winter radishes, on the other hand, should be thinned to 2 to 4 inches, or farther apart for the larger roots to develop.

The good news is radishes grow well in nearly any soil, as long as it's prepared properly, fertilized naturally and maintains enough moisture. The root vegetable matures quickly and so should be watched closely to ensure the right harvesting time.

You may eat radishes various ways, such as baking and sauteing them with garlic and herbs, adding thin slices to your sandwich or pickling them as an addition to your batch of kimchi.[xvii] You may also introduce added crunch to your salads through radishes. Learn more promising health benefits of the humble yet mighty radish on the GreenMedInfo.com database.

References

[i] Banihani S "Radish (Raphanus sativus) and Diabetes" Nutrients. 2017 Sep; 9(9): 1014. Epub 2017 Sep 14.

[ii] Banihani S "Radish (Raphanus sativus) and Diabetes" Nutrients. 2017 Sep; 9(9): 1014. Epub 2017 Sep 14.

[iii] University of Illinois Extension, Radish https://web.extension.illinois.edu/veggies/radish.cfm

[iv] Lattimer J et al "Effects of Dietary Fiber and Its Components on Metabolic Health" Nutrients. 2010 Dec; 2(12): 1266-1289. Epub 2010 Dec 15.

[v] Jang H S et al "Effect of Radish Leaves Powder on the Gastrointestinal Function and F***l Triglyceride, and Sterol Excretion in Rats Fed a Hypercholesterolemic Diet" 2008.

[vi] Jang H S et al "Effect of Radish Leaves Powder on the Gastrointestinal Function and F***l Triglyceride, and Sterol Excretion in Rats Fed a Hypercholesterolemic Diet" 2008.

[vii] Manivannan A et al "Deciphering the Nutraceutical Potential of Raphanus sativus--A Comprehensive Overview" Nutrients. 2019 Feb; 11(2): 402. Epub 2019 Feb 14.

[viii] Kumar A "Influence of radish consumption on urinary calcium oxalate excretion" Nepal Med Coll J. 2004 Jun;6(1):41-4.

[ix] Thevissen K et al "The plant defensin RsAFP2 induces cell wall stress, septin mislocalization and accumulation of ceramides in Candida albicans" Mol Microbiol. 2012 Mar. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2958.2012.08017.x

[x] Lee S et al "Effects of White Radish (Raphanus sativus) Enzyme Extract on Hepatotoxicity" Toxicol Res. 2012 Sep; 28(3): 165-172.

[xi] Castro-Torres I et al "Antilithiasic and Hypolipidaemic Effects of Raphanus sativus L. var. niger on Mice Fed with a Lithogenic Diet" J Biomed Biotechnol. 2012; 2012: 161205. Epub 2012 Oct 3.

[xii] Beevi S et al "Hexane Extract of Raphanus sativus L. Roots Inhibits Cell Proliferation and Induces Apoptosis in Human Cancer Cells by Modulating Genes Related to Apoptotic Pathway" Plant Foods Hum Nutr. 2010; 65 (200-9).

[xiii] Ahn K et al "L. seed extracts induce apoptosis and reduce migration of oral squamous cell carcinoma KB and KBcells by downregulation ofβ-catenin" Nutr Cancer. 2019 Nov 25:1-12. Epub 2019 Nov 25.

[xiv] Wallace T et al "Anthocyanins in Cardiovascular Disease" Adv Nutr. 2011 Jan; 2(1): 1-7. Published online 2011 Jan 10.

[xv] Muleke E et al "Coordinated Regulation of Anthocyanin Biosynthesis Genes Confers Varied Phenotypic and Spatial-Temporal Anthocyanin Accumulation in Radish (Raphanus sativus L.)" Front Plant Sci. 2017; 8: 1243. Epub 2017 Jul 19.

[xvi] University of Illinois Extension, Radish https://web.extension.illinois.edu/veggies/radish.cfm

[xvii] OrganicFacts.net, Health Benefits of Radish https://www.organicfacts.net/health-benefits/vegetable/health-benefits-of-radish.html

08/07/2021

Heart failure is a disorder affecting millions of people in the U.S., and it may be preventable by making heart-healthy dietary and lifestyle choices.

Congestive heart failure is a disease with a misleading name; it doesn't mean that your heart has "failed" or stopped beating. Rather, heart failure is a chronic condition that occurs when the heart muscle fails to pump an adequate supply of blood to the body, causing an increasing amount of damage as organs and tissues are deprived of oxygen and nutrients carried by the blood.

Heart failure doesn't come on overnight; it develops gradually and is often the result of underlying health conditions that weaken the heart, like heart disease, obesity and high blood pressure. The good news is a diagnosis of congestive heart failure may be preventable by making heart-healthy choices like losing weight, exercising regularly and incorporating more organic produce and healthy fats into your diet.

If you've already been diagnosed, it's important to consult your health care provider and a cardiac specialist. As part of an approved treatment regimen, diet and lifestyle modifications may help strengthen your heart and improve its function. To aid in that effort, we've researched the top medical journals and scientific databases to compile a shortlist of herbs and supplements that have been verified by science as effective for supporting patients with heart failure.

1. CoQ10

The efficacy of coenzyme Q10, or CoQ10, is a matter of controversy among scientists. A 2017 meta-analysis of clinical trials sought to gain clarity on the question by pooling the results of previous studies evaluating the effect of using CoQ10 to treat patients with heart failure.

Researchers combed PubMed and other top medical databases for controlled trials of CoQ10, with 14 trials and 2,149 heart failure patients meeting inclusion criteria. Endpoints for the trials were death, left heart ejection fraction (a measure of the left ventricle's ability to pump blood), exercise capacity and a standardized measure of overall heart function after treatment.

Final analysis showed that patients with heart failure who supplemented with CoQ10 had a lower death rate and a higher exercise capacity than placebo-treated patients.[i] Other studies support CoQ10's ability to help patients with heart failure decrease serious complications and avoid hospitalization, significant findings that were attributed to CoQ10's ability to support mitochondrial function and provide energy to cells.[ii]

2. Ubiquinol

Ubiquinol (pronounced you-bik-win-all) is a recently developed form of CoQ10 that has only been commercially available for around 12 years. Considered the active form of CoQ10, ubiquinol is an antioxidant that plays a key role in creating cellular energy.[iii] CoQ10 comes in two forms: ubiquinone and ubiquinol, both of which are made naturally by the body. The body must convert ubiquinone into ubiquinol to create cellular energy.[iv]

Production of ubiquinol begins slowing down at around age 40, as does the body's ability to convert ubiquinone into ubiquinol, which is better absorbed by the body.[v] Studies have shown that ubiquinol is up to 70% more bioavailable than conventional CoQ10.[vi] For this reason, older adults may choose to supplement with ubiquinol to enhance the energy available to their cells.

A clinical trial on patients with congestive heart failure noted that patients who were given supplemental ubiquinone at doses of up to 900 milligrams (mg) a day, failed to achieve adequate blood plasma levels of CoQ10. Researchers postulated that intestinal edema in these critically ill patients had prevented their bodies from being able to adequately convert the ubiquinone into active ubiquinol.[vii]

When patients were switched to ubiquinol (between 450 and 900 mg/day), plasma CoQ10 levels increased significantly and clinical improvement was noted as "remarkable." Researchers concluded that "ubiquinol dramatically improved absorption in patients with severe heart failure" and noted that improvements in plasma CoQ10 levels correlated with both clinical improvement and better left ventricular function in the heart.[viii]

A 2019 study supports these findings. On 400 mg ubiquinol per day for three months, patients with heart failure and reduced ejection fraction had significant improvement in peripheral endothelial function compared with placebo-treated patients.[ix]

3. Omega-3 and -6 Fats

The importance of including healthy fats in your diet has gained needed attention since the flawed logic of low-fat diets became exposed. Turns out, your brain and heart need fat to function, but it's important to choose the right kinds of fat, including heart-healthy polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), like omega-3s and certain omega-6s.

While most people consume an overabundance of omega-6 fats from processed foods, a study published in the journal Lipids in Health and Disease found that low levels of dihomo-gamma-linolenic acid (DGLA), an omega-6 PUFA, circulating in the blood were associated with higher death rates in patients with heart failure. Conversely, higher levels of DGLA in the blood were associated with higher survival rates.[x]

Another study on omega-3s found that dietary supplementation with fish oil increased plasma adiponectin, a protein that helps regulate insulin sensitivity, suppressed inflammation and prevented cardiac dysfunction.[xi] Researchers did not observe the same cardioprotective properties in patients supplementing with flaxseed oil.[xii]

4. Hawthorn

Hawthorn is a plant in the rose family that is native to the cooler Northern Hemisphere. Hawthorn (scientific name: Crataegus) has been used to make traditional medicine for hundreds, perhaps thousands, of years and has been most commonly applied in the treatment of diseases of the heart.[xiii]

In an effort to substantiate centuries of use, the European Journal of Heart Failure published a study on the efficacy and safety of hawthorn extract in patients with heart failure called the SPICE trial. Researchers performed a large-scale morbidity/mortality trial encompassing 1,442 patients in congestive heart failure.

Supplementing with Crataegus extract was found to reduce sudden cardiac death by a whopping 39.7% at month 24 of treatment in patients with less compromised left ventricular function. The treatment showed no significant adverse effects.[xiv]

5. Berberine

Berberine is another plant-based medicinal that has demonstrated impressive heart benefits. Anecdotally believed to aid in producing stronger heartbeats,[xv] berberine's place in our herbal pantheon as a heart healer has received scientific validation.

In 2010, a berberine derivative was found to strengthen the heart by blocking calcium influx, a central cause of a failing heart, and exerting powerful antioxidant activity.[xvi] Among berberine's heart-boosting properties is antiarrhythmic activity that has been shown to prolong the duration of ventricular action potential; in other words, create a stronger, more rhythmic heartbeat.[xvii]

A 2020 study seeking to identify the mechanism by which berberine works on the heart did not mince words: "Berberine has been verified to protect cardiac function in patients with heart failure."[xviii] Berberine's effect on heart health is another example of the plant world's deep symbiosis with the human body.

6. Magnesium

The mineral salt magnesium is critical for more than 300 enzyme systems in the body, as well as the regulation of blood pressure.[xix] Research has explored the use of magnesium in patients with heart disease, with some studies focusing on the role magnesium plays on endothelial dysfunction, a hallmark of heart failure in which the blood vessels of the heart constrict instead of opening or dilating.

One such study, published in the journal Congestive Heart Failure, found that oral supplementation with 800 mg/day of magnesium oxide for three months produced improved arterial function compared to placebo in heart failure patients.[xx] The importance of lost minerals to heart health has been clearly ascertained, with low magnesium levels contributing to oxidative stress, compromised antioxidant defenses, tissue wasting and more problems linked to heart failure.[xxi]

7. Arginine

The amino acid arginine, also called L-arginine, is important for numerous bodily functions, including dilating and relaxing arteries.[xxii] Though arginine is produced endogenously, it needs to be consumed to maintain adequate levels. Foods like pastured red meat, fish, poultry and dairy products are primary sources; vegetarians can look to whole grains, nuts and seeds to boost arginine intake.

Arginine's role in healthy heart function has been the focus of numerous studies in recent decades. Supplementation for six weeks was found to enhance exercise tolerance in heart failure patients, an important marker of heart stability.[xxiii] Adding arginine to a regimen of CoQ10 and vitamin D was found to be beneficial to both cardiac and endothelial cells that line blood vessels, due to a cooperative effect.[xxiv]

And a meta-analysis of more than 30 years' worth of scientific studies on arginine found that oral supplementation exerts favorable effects in the prevention and treatment of a vast array of cardiovascular disorders, including mild-to-moderate heart failure.[xxv]

Before starting any herb or supplement regimen, it's important to talk to your health care provider about possible contraindications with current medication and/or prescribed treatment protocols.

*WARNING: Always consult a medical herbalist or your health care practitioner when using both natural and pharmaceutical medicines for any diagnosed condition. This article is for informational purposes only and not intended to be used as medical advice.

References

[i] Li Lei, Yan Liu. Efficacy of coenzyme Q10 in patients with cardiac failure: a meta-analysis of clinical trials. BMC Cardiovasc Disord. 2017 Jul 24 ;17(1):196. Epub 2017 Jul 24. PMID: 28738783

[ii] C Morisco, B Trimarco, M Condorelli. Effect of coenzyme Q10 therapy in patients with congestive heart failure: a long-term multicenter randomized study. Clin Investig. 1993;71(8 Suppl):S134-6. PMID: 8241697

[iii] Ubiquinol.org, Supplement Facts, https://ubiquinol.org/ubiquinol-coq10-supplement-facts

[iv] Ubiquinol.org, Supplement Facts, https://ubiquinol.org/ubiquinol-coq10-supplement-facts

[v] Ubiquinol.org, Supplement Facts, https://ubiquinol.org/ubiquinol-coq10-supplement-facts

[vi] Ubiquinol.org, Ubiquinol Vs. CoQ10, https://ubiquinol.org/ubiquinol-vs-coq10

[vii] Peter H Langsjoen, Alena M Langsjoen. Supplemental ubiquinol in patients with advanced congestive heart failure. Biofactors. 2008;32(1-4):119-28. PMID: 19096107

[viii] Peter H Langsjoen, Alena M Langsjoen. Supplemental ubiquinol in patients with advanced congestive heart failure. Biofactors. 2008;32(1-4):119-28. PMID: 19096107

[ix] Chika Kawashima, Yasushi Matsuzawa, Masaaki Konishi, Eiichi Akiyama, Hiroyuki Suzuki, Ryosuke Sato, Hidefumi Nakahashi, Shinnosuke Kikuchi, Yuichiro Kimura, Nobuhiko Maejima, Noriaki Iwahashi, Kiyoshi Hibi, Masami Kosuge, Toshiaki Ebina, Kouichi Tamura, Kazuo Kimura. Ubiquinol Improves Endothelial Function in Patients with Heart Failure with Reduced Ejection Fraction: A Single-Center, Randomized Double-Blind Placebo-Controlled Crossover Pilot Study. Am J Cardiovasc Drugs. 2019 Nov 12. Epub 2019 Nov 12. PMID: 31713723

[x] Shohei Ouchi, Tetsuro Miyazaki, Kazunori Shimada, Yurina Sugita, Megumi Shimizu, Azusa Murata, Takao Kato, Tatsuro Aikawa, Shoko Suda, Tomoyuki Shiozawa, Masaru Hiki, Shuhei Takahashi, Takatoshi Kasai, Katsumi Miyauchi, Hiroyuki Daida. Decreased circulating dihomo-gamma-linolenic acid levels are associated with total mortality in patients with acute cardiovascular disease and acute decompensated heart failure. Lipids Health Dis. 2017 Aug 14 ;16(1):150. Epub 2017 Aug 14. PMID: 28806965

[xi] Monika K Duda, Karen M O'Shea, Anselm Tintinu, Wenhong Xu, Ramzi J Khairallah, Brian R Barrows, David J Chess, Agnes M Azimzadeh, William S Harris, Victor G Sharov, Hani N Sabbah, William C Stanley. Fish oil, but not flaxseed oil, decreases inflammation and prevents pressure overload-induced cardiac dysfunction. Immunopharmacol Immunotoxicol. 2009;31(2):209-13. PMID: 19015135

[xii] Monika K Duda, Karen M O'Shea, Anselm Tintinu, Wenhong Xu, Ramzi J Khairallah, Brian R Barrows, David J Chess, Agnes M Azimzadeh, William S Harris, Victor G Sharov, Hani N Sabbah, William C Stanley. Fish oil, but not flaxseed oil, decreases inflammation and prevents pressure overload-induced cardiac dysfunction. Immunopharmacol Immunotoxicol. 2009;31(2):209-13. PMID: 19015135

[xiii] WebMD, Vitamins & Supplements, Hawthorn, https://www.webmd.com/vitamins/ai/ingredientmono-527/hawthorn

[xiv] Christian J F Holubarsch, Wilson S Colucci, Thomas Meinertz, Wilhelm Gaus, Michal Tendera,. The efficacy and safety of Crataegus extract WS 1442 in patients with heart failure: the SPICE trial. Eur J Heart Fail. 2008 Dec;10(12):1255-63. Epub 2008 Nov 18. PMID: 19019730

[xv] WebMD, Vitamins & Supplements, Berberine, https://www.webmd.com/vitamins/ai/ingredientmono-1126/berberine

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