Recently Diagnosed or Relapsed? Stop Looking For a Miracle Cure, and Use Evidence-Based Therapies To Enhance Your Treatment and Prolong Your Remission
Multiple Myeloma an incurable disease, but I have spent the last 25 years in remission using a blend of conventional oncology and evidence-based nutrition, supplementation, and lifestyle therapies from peer-reviewed studies that your oncologist probably hasn't told you about.
Click the orange button to the right to learn more about what you can start doing today.
- You are here:
- Home »
- Blog »
- Multiple Myeloma »
- Supplements to Reduce CVD Risk
Supplements to Reduce CVD Risk
Supplements to reduce CVD risk is central to my therapy plan. Why? Because cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are the leading cause of death globally, taking an estimated 17.9 million lives each year.
I was diagnosed with a blood cancer called multiple myeloma in early 1994. Aggressive cardiotoxic chemotherapy regimens led to a heart damage.
Being diagnosed with chemotherapy-induced cardiomyopathy in 2010, my approach has been to completely turn away from conventional heart medications while embracing evidence-based non-conventional heart therapies. Supplements to reduce CVD risk is central to my therapy plan.
What non-conventional therapies can reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease?
1. Mind-Body Practices
- Meditation and Mindfulness: Practices like mindfulness meditation, transcendental meditation, and deep breathing techniques have been shown to reduce stress, lower blood pressure, and improve heart rate variability, all of which are important for heart health.
- Yoga and Tai Chi: These practices combine physical postures, breathing exercises, and relaxation, helping to reduce blood pressure, improve flexibility, and reduce stress.
- Biofeedback: This technique helps individuals learn to control physiological functions such as heart rate, which can improve cardiovascular function and reduce stress.
2. Nutritional Supplements
- Omega-3 Fatty Acids: Found in fish oil, omega-3s can reduce inflammation, lower triglycerides, and improve heart health. Some studies suggest they may reduce the risk of heart attacks and strokes.
- Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10): CoQ10 is an antioxidant that supports heart function and may help lower blood pressure and improve symptoms in people with heart failure.
- Magnesium: Magnesium is important for blood pressure regulation and heart rhythm. Some studies suggest that magnesium supplements can help lower blood pressure and reduce the risk of arrhythmias.
- Red Yeast Rice: Contains naturally occurring statins and has been shown to lower cholesterol levels. However, it’s important to use it under medical supervision due to potential side effects.
- Garlic Supplements: Garlic has been shown to reduce blood pressure and cholesterol, though effects can vary.
3. Herbal Therapies
- Hawthorn: Often used in traditional medicine for heart health, hawthorn may help dilate blood vessels, improve blood flow, and strengthen the heart muscle.
- Green Tea Extract: Contains antioxidants like catechins that can improve cholesterol levels and reduce oxidative stress, benefiting cardiovascular health.
4. Acupuncture
Some studies suggest acupuncture may help regulate blood pressure, improve circulation, and reduce stress, all of which can contribute to heart health. While the evidence is not conclusive, it has been used as a complementary therapy in cardiovascular disease prevention.
5. Dietary Approaches
- Plant-Based Diets: Diets rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes, nuts, and seeds can lower cholesterol, blood pressure, and inflammation, reducing the risk of CVD.
- Mediterranean Diet: Focused on healthy fats, such as olive oil and fish, alongside fresh produce and whole grains, this diet has been widely studied for its heart-health benefits.
6. Probiotics
Probiotics may positively impact heart health by improving cholesterol levels and reducing inflammation. Some strains have shown the ability to lower LDL (bad) cholesterol and total cholesterol levels.
7. Chelation Therapy
Chelation involves the administration of EDTA (a chelating agent) to remove heavy metals from the bloodstream. Some research suggests it may have cardiovascular benefits by reducing oxidative stress and inflammation, though it’s still controversial and should only be done under medical supervision.
8. Massage Therapy
Regular massage can help reduce stress, lower blood pressure, and improve circulation. While it’s not a direct treatment for heart disease, it can support overall cardiovascular health through relaxation and stress reduction.
9. Sauna Therapy
Regular sauna use, especially infrared saunas, may improve cardiovascular function by improving circulation, reducing blood pressure, and increasing heart rate in a way that mimics moderate exercise.
10. Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM)
Herbal remedies and practices such as acupuncture, Qi Gong, and herbal tonics used in TCM have long been considered beneficial for cardiovascular health. Certain TCM herbs may improve circulation, lower cholesterol, and reduce blood pressure, though more research is needed to confirm these benefits.
David Emerson
- Cancer Survivor
- Cancer Coach
- Director PeopleBeatingCancer
Micronutrient Supplementation to Reduce Cardiovascular Risk
“Background
Healthy dietary patterns are rich in micronutrients, but their influence on cardiovascular disease (CVD) risks has not been systematically quantified.
Objectives
The goal of this study was to provide a comprehensive and most up-to-date evidence-based map that systematically quantifies the impact of micronutrients on CVD outcomes.
Methods
This study comprised a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled intervention trials of micronutrients on CVD risk factors and clinical events.
Results
A total of 884 randomized controlled intervention trials evaluating 27 types of micronutrients among 883,627 participants (4,895,544 person-years) were identified. Supplementation with
- n-3 fatty acid, n-6 fatty acid,
- l-arginine,
- l-citrulline,
- folic acid,
- vitamin D,
- magnesium,
- zinc,
- α-lipoic acid,
- coenzyme Q10,
- melatonin,
- catechin,
- curcumin,
- flavanol,
- genistein, and
- quercetin
showed moderate- to high-quality evidence for reducing CVD risk factors.
Specifically, n-3 fatty acid supplementation decreased CVD mortality (relative risk [RR]: 0.93; 95% CI: 0.88-0.97), myocardial infarction(RR: 0.85; 95% CI: 0.78-0.92), and coronary heart disease events (RR: 0.86; 95% CI: 0.80-0.93).
Folic acid supplementation decreased stroke risk (RR: 0.84; 95% CI: 0.72-0.97), and coenzyme Q10 supplementation decreased all-cause mortality events (RR: 0.68; 95% CI: 0.49-0.94). Vitamin C, vitamin D, vitamin E, and selenium showed no effect on CVD or type 2 diabetes risk.
β-carotene supplementation increased all-cause mortality (RR: 1.10; 95% CI: 1.05-1.15), CVD mortality events (RR: 1.12; 95% CI: 1.06-1.18), and stroke risk (RR: 1.09; 95% CI: 1.01-1.17).
Conclusions
Supplementation of some but not all micronutrients may benefit cardiometabolic health. This study highlights the importance of micronutrient diversity and the balance of benefits and risks to promote and maintain cardiovascular health in diverse populations. (Antioxidant Supplementation in the Prevention and Treatment of Cardiovascular Diseases; CRD42022315165)