Goals ›

Heart & circulation

Heart health, blood pressure, cholesterol and blood flow.

Strongest evidence: Fish oil, Omega-3 fatty acids and Potassium.

Supplements for heart & circulation

Each supplement gets the grade of its strongest heart & circulation benefit. Open one to see each benefit.

StrongModerateWeakNo trials
SupplementMain effects in studiesEvidenceBenefits studied
Fish oilLipids↓ TG,LDL, Arrhythmia/Death↓ AF,MACEStrong4 of 5
Omega-3 fatty acidsTriglycerides ↓; heart events, Plaque/BP/vascular functionStrong3 of 5
PotassiumK↓ arrhythmia risk, K↑ arrhythmia riskStrong2 of 5
Vitamin B9Homocysteine ↓, cardiac risk, Vascular function ↑, Hcy ↓Strong1 of 5
FiberLDL/TC↓ 8-14%, BP↓ 6-10 mmHgStrong2 of 5
DHA (docosahexaenoic acid)TG↓, LDL↑, O3I↑, TG↓Strong4 of 5
NitrateBP↓ nitrite↑, Flow↑ pressure↓Strong3 of 5
Folic AcidHcy↓ +31%, FMD/AIx↑Strong2 of 5
PhytosterolsLDL/TC -10%, Triglycerides/ratios -13%Strong4 of 5
MagnesiumArrhythmia prevention, -23 p.p. AFStrong2 of 5
Showing 10 of 181 supplements.

What heart & circulation covers

5 benefits that studies measure, and the supplements with the strongest evidence for each.

Heart health

The condition of the heart and its ability to pump. It is measured by heart rate, heart rate variability, ejection fraction and the blood markers that predict heart disease.

131 supplements, 45 strong
  1. Omega-3 fatty acidsStrong, 423
  2. Vitamin B9Strong, 393
  3. Fish oilStrong, 337
  4. FiberStrong, 285
  5. PotassiumStrong, 274

Blood pressure

The pressure of blood against the artery walls, written as systolic over diastolic in millimetres of mercury. Trials report the change in each number, and a few millimetres sustained over time is a meaningful change at the population level.

31 supplements, 8 strong
  1. PotassiumStrong, 208
  2. Fish oilStrong, 58
  3. Omega-3 fatty acidsStrong, 56
  4. MagnesiumStrong, 51
  5. NitrateStrong, 50

Cholesterol

The fats carried in the blood: LDL, HDL, total cholesterol and triglycerides, reported in mg/dL or mmol/L. LDL and triglycerides going down and HDL going up is the pattern trials look for.

63 supplements, 18 strong
  1. Fish oilStrong, 489
  2. FiberStrong, 219
  3. DHA (docosahexaenoic acid)Strong, 215
  4. PhytosterolsStrong, 173
  5. NiacinStrong, 111

Blood circulation

How well blood reaches the tissues, especially the hands, feet and skin. It is measured as blood flow, as flow-mediated dilation of an artery, and as how quickly a cooled limb rewarms.

109 supplements, 34 strong
  1. Omega-3 fatty acidsStrong, 396
  2. Folic AcidStrong, 194
  3. Fish oilStrong, 178
  4. NitrateStrong, 173
  5. ElectrolytesStrong, 169

Vascular health

The condition of the blood vessels themselves, especially the lining. It is measured by flow-mediated dilation, by arterial stiffness such as pulse wave velocity, and by markers of vessel lining function.

22 supplements, 10 strong
  1. NitrateStrong, 134
  2. Vitamin CStrong, 103
  3. ArginineStrong, 80
  4. PhytosterolsStrong, 36
  5. Vitamin KStrong, 24

Protocols for heart & circulation

What studies used, for this goal or for a group of people. Not advice: talk to a doctor first.