Making Heart-Friendly Choices
4. Magnesium
Why: Some experts refer to magnesium as "nature's calcium-channel blocker" because the mineral keeps calcium from penetrating heart cells and making the organ work harder. Magnesium also promotes muscle relaxation and slows blood clotting.
Dosage: Up to 800 mg a day.
Tip: For best absorption, look for magnesium glycinate.
5. Garlic
Why: Antioxidant-rich garlic makes blood platelets more slippery and therefore less likely to form clots that cause heart attack or stroke.
Dosage: Up to 900 mg a day.
Tip: Don't hesitate to experiment with different products. Lunceford didn't get results until she traded in her plain garlic supplements for a blend of aged garlic and red yeast rice. Caveat: Garlic has natural blood-thinning properties; if you're already taking blood thinners, talk to your doctor before using garlic.
Why: Some experts refer to magnesium as "nature's calcium-channel blocker" because the mineral keeps calcium from penetrating heart cells and making the organ work harder. Magnesium also promotes muscle relaxation and slows blood clotting.
Dosage: Up to 800 mg a day.
Tip: For best absorption, look for magnesium glycinate.
5. Garlic
Why: Antioxidant-rich garlic makes blood platelets more slippery and therefore less likely to form clots that cause heart attack or stroke.
Dosage: Up to 900 mg a day.
Tip: Don't hesitate to experiment with different products. Lunceford didn't get results until she traded in her plain garlic supplements for a blend of aged garlic and red yeast rice. Caveat: Garlic has natural blood-thinning properties; if you're already taking blood thinners, talk to your doctor before using garlic.
