Heart That Is Healthy

Heart is one of the most important organs in our body. It is one that works 24 hours around the clock. It is probably one that we don’t think of taking care of, unless we consistently exercise to keep it healthy. I am fortunate that, over the years when exercise was a routine in my schedule, I have maintained a healthy heart and consistent cholesterol levels. However, our family history says otherwise, so I still have to be aware of maintaining good nutrition to fight against the probability that as I get older, a heart disease is inevitable.

A product called HRT that is rich in oyster mushroom and a unique blend of nutrients proves to be a great supplement to nourish my heart. I am not sure that it can nourish a broken heart, though. It also has a blend of antioxidants and other nutrients, which offer the heart energy and protection, which include but not limited to Taurine that can reduce damage done to the heart, and Carnitine that helps increase myocardial energy production.

You must be wondering, what is Taurine? Well, I have to find out for myself, too. It is one of the most important, useful, and safest amino acid supplements, best known for its beneficial effects on the heart and cardiovascular system. According to “Vitamins for Dummies” by Christopher Hobbs, L.Ac. and Elson Haas, MD, the following are the key uses of taurine:

• Most frequently found in the central nervous system, retina, skeletal muscle, and heart, taurine is potentially useful in treating seizure disorders, cardiovascular problems, and some eye problems.
• Taurine functions in electrically active tissues, such as the brain and heart, to help stabilize cell membranes.
• This amino also appears to have some antioxidant and detoxifying activity.
• With the support of zinc, taurine aids the movement of certain minerals in and out of cells and thus helps generate nerve impulses.
• As an inhibitory neurotransmitter, taurine’s main use has been to help in the treatment of epilepsy and other excitable brain states, where it functions as a mild sedative. Doses for this effect are 500 to 1000 mg three times daily.
• Often prescribed in Japan and other countries for heart ailments, taurine assists your body’s healing process after a heart attack. Heart rhythm problems and heart weakness associated with congestive heart failure often respond to high doses, from 2 to 6 grams, three times daily.
• People with high blood pressure and high cholesterol also benefit from taurine in some cases.

Of course, I still recommend that you consult your doctor with the use of taurine, if you have heart disease.

Now, Carnitine is another amino acid which is known to play a role in metabolizing fat and producing energy. This is an extra amino acid not found in our body tissue, but its production can be enhanced by taking both Vitamin C and lysine. The key uses of carnitine, as described in “Vitamins for Dummies” are as follows:

• Carnitine is important to the heart and helps convert fats to energy within the mitochondria – your cell’s energy factories.
• Carnitine is involved in metabolizing and using fats and oils in the body, as well as transporting fatty acids into muscle cells. Fatty acids are an important energy source for your muscles, which is why some sports nutritionists recommend carnitine to improve workouts.
• Clinicians recommend carnitine for heart disease like congestive heart failure, high cholesterol, abnormal heart rhythms, chronic fatigue and poor endurance, and muscle weakness.
• The Physicians Desk Reference, published annually by Medical Economics Data, suggests further use of this amino acid for athletic, performance, improved fat metabolism, and the treatment of cardiovascular problems caused by restricted blood flow, especially after a heart attack, to help the body repair the damaged heart muscle.