At Betsy’s, we strive to be always taking your health and your budget to heart.®  These studies take your health to heart–literally.  See how CoQ10 and even black tea may be of benefit for your healthy ticker.

Good Circulation

Nutrients help keep the cardiovascular system healthy

CoQ10 and heartbeat

A-fib, or atrial fibrillation, is an irregular, weak heartbeat with several causes. A-fib can lead to or accelerate heart failure; a chronic condition in which the heart doesn’t pump enough blood to the body. In this study, 102 adult men and women with A-fib and heart failure took standard heart medication with or without CoQ10.

At six and 12 months, while there were no changes in the standard medication group, those who added CoQ10 had significantly lower levels of oxidative stress. After 12 months, 22 percent of those on heart medication alone had episodes of A-fib compared to 6.3 percent for the CoQ10 group.

Discussing the findings, doctors said that CoQ10, by lowering oxidative stress levels, may be responsible for helping maintain a regular heartbeat.

 Theaflavins, catechins, and microcirculation

Antioxidants unique to black tea, called theaflavins, and catechins found in green teas, may boost circulation in the smallest blood vessels in the body. In this study, 24 healthy older adults took a placebo, 100 mg to 500 mg of theaflavins, or 500 mg of catechins, in a single dose. Doctors measured microcirculation before and two, four, and six hours after the dose. Participants who took 500 mg of theaflavins or 500 mg of catechins had better circulation compared to placebo.

Microcirculation is blood flow in the tiniest vessels embedded in the organs of the body. Because they are so small, they are easily damaged. Doctors said results of this study suggest the antioxidants in green and black tea may help protect the smallest blood vessels in the body.

Reference: Journal of Investigative Medicine; 2015, Vol. 63, No. 5, 735-9

Betsy’s Note: The supplements in this article also thin blood.  This article is for educational purposes only.  It is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.  Its statements have not been approved by the Food and Drug Administration.  Consult your healthcare provider.

Article copyright 2015 by Natural Insights to Well Being. All rights reserved.  Used with permission.