February is Heart Month—a timely reminder to focus on the habits and nutrients that help support cardiovascular health. Heart disease remains a significant global and national concern, making education and prevention more important than ever.
Understanding Heart Health
The cardiovascular system includes the heart and the network of blood vessels that carry blood throughout the body. Cardiovascular disease (CVD), often referred to as heart disease, is a group of conditions that involve restricted blood flow. This includes coronary artery disease, which can lead to heart attack, heart failure, or angina, as well as cerebrovascular disease, which can lead to stroke.¹
One common underlying factor in many forms of heart disease is atherosclerosis, which is a build‑up of fatty plaque in the arteries that reduce blood flow.
Why Heart Health Is So Important
According to the WHO, heart disease is the leading cause of death globally2 and remains a major health concern in Canada. Many Canadians live with at least one risk factor for heart disease, and millions have been diagnosed with a cardiovascular condition. Beyond its impact on individual health and quality of life, heart disease also places a significant burden on the healthcare system, costing around $22 billion per year.³
Risk Factors for Cardiovascular Disease
Some risk factors for heart disease cannot be changed, such as family history, age, sex, race, and ethnicity. However, many risk factors are modifiable and influenced by lifestyle choices. These include poor diet, limited physical activity, alcohol and tobacco use, and environmental factors such as pollution. Clinical risk factors may also include high blood pressure, high blood sugar, high cholesterol or triglycerides, and obesity.⁴
Lifestyle Tips to Support a Healthy Heart
Supporting heart health starts with everyday habits.⁵ Key lifestyle approaches include:
• Not smoking
• Limiting alcohol intake
• Maintaining a healthy body weight
• Staying physically active
• Managing stress
• Following a healthy, balanced diet
• Prioritizing quality sleep
In addition to lifestyle changes, some supplements are scientifically studied for their role in supporting heart health.
Omega‑3 Fatty Acids and Heart Health
Omega‑3 fatty acids—specifically eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA)—are two important nutrients that have been extensively researched for their role in cardiovascular health. With over 50 years of research and more than 5,000 clinical studies, EPA and DHA are among the most well‑studied nutrients in this category.⁶
EPA and DHA support cardiovascular health through several mechanisms, including altering fat metabolism in the liver, which can help lower blood triglycerides. Observational studies have also found links between populations that consume more fatty fish and a lower risk of cardiovascular disease,⁷ while meta‑analyses of clinical trials have shown reductions in cardiovascular‑related health outcomes among those supplementing with omega‑3s.⁸
Nature’s Way Canada offers omega-3 supplements in a variety of formats and flavours to suit different preferences and lifestyles. Options include both fish-based omega-3s, such as NutraSea, and plant-based omega-3s, like NutraVege, made from algae—nature’s original source of omega-3s. Available in liquid and softgel formats, these omega-3s are designed to support the maintenance of good health, including cardiovascular health, with great-tasting flavours and no fishy burp-back.
Magnesium and Heart Health
Magnesium is an essential mineral involved in over 600 biochemical reactions9 throughout the body. It plays a role in lipid metabolism, protein synthesis, DNA and RNA synthesis, and cell repair—making it vital for everyday cellular function.
Magnesium is also involved in energy production and muscle contraction. It helps form and use ATP, the body’s primary energy source, which is required for processes such as moving calcium and potassium in and out of cells and sending cellular signals. ATP is essential for muscle contraction, including the contraction of the heart muscle.¹⁰
Nature’s Way Canada offers three magnesium formats (Citrate, Glycinate Plus and L-Threonate) to support a range of health needs, such as supporting normal muscle function, including the heart muscle. These products are manufactured to high quality standards for consistency, purity, and reliability, and are available in travel‑friendly packaging.
Herbs and Heart Health
Herbs have been used in traditional wellness practices for centuries and continue to be studied through a modern scientific lens for their role in supporting overall health. In the context of heart health, certain herbs are researched for how they may help support cardiovascular function as part of a balanced lifestyle that includes healthy nutrition and regular physical activity.
Herbal supplements intended to support heart health are typically positioned as a complementary approach—designed to work alongside foundational habits such as a balanced diet, daily movement, stress management and adequate sleep. When used as part of a holistic routine, herbal supplements can play a supportive role in overall cardiovascular wellness.
Nature’s Way offers several herbal options that are traditionally used in herbal medicine and supported by modern quality and manufacturing standards. Below are a few options to explore.
Hawthorn Berries
Traditionally used in herbal medicine to help support cardiovascular health. Hawthorn has a long history of use in heart-focused herbal formulations and is commonly included as part of a holistic approach to heart wellness.
Garlicin
Traditionally used in herbal medicine to help maintain cardiovascular health. Garlic has been widely studied and used as part of heart-healthy dietary and supplement routines.
Berberine
Promotes healthy total cholesterol levels.
Supporting Heart Health, Today and Every Day
Heart health is built on informed choices—through lifestyle habits, nutrition, and carefully selected supplements. This Heart Month, take time to learn more about how everyday actions and trusted, science‑backed products can help support cardiovascular health as part of a balanced wellness routine.
As always, consult your healthcare provider before adding any new supplements to your routine.
References
1. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK535419/
2. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/cardiovascular-diseases-(cvds)
3. Tran DT, Palfrey D, Welsh R. The Healthcare Cost Burden in Adults with High Risk for Cardiovascular Disease. Pharmacoecon Open. 2021 Sep;5(3):425-435. doi: 10.1007/s41669-021-00257-8
4. https://www.heart.org/en/health-topics/cholesterol/about-cholesterol/atherosclerosis
5. https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/publications/diseases-conditions/heart-disease-canada.html
6. https://goedomega3.com/omega-3-basics
7. Ricci H, Gaeta M, Franchi C, Poli A, Battino M, Dolci A, Schmid D, Ricci C. Fish Intake in Relation to Fatal and Non-Fatal Cardiovascular Risk: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Cohort Studies. Nutrients. 2023 Oct 26;15(21):4539. doi: 10.3390/nu15214539.
8. Khan SU, Lone AN, Khan MS, Virani SS, Blumenthal RS, Nasir K, Miller M, Michos ED, Ballantyne CM, Boden WE, Bhatt DL. Effect of omega-3 fatty acids on cardiovascular outcomes: A systematic review and meta-analysis. EClinicalMedicine. 2021 Jul 8;38:100997. doi: 10.1016/j.eclinm.2021.100997.
9. Uwitonze AM, Razzaque MS. Role of Magnesium in Vitamin D Activation and Function. J Am Osteopath Assoc. 2018 Mar 1;118(3):181-189. doi: 10.7556/jaoa.2018.037.
10. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK553175/
