The heart is at the center of good health and can be positively--and negatively--affected by what we eat, how much we exercise and how we live our lives. Many factors contribute to heart attacks, coronary heart disease and other problems associated with the heart and circulatory system. Some of these risk factors (such as high blood pressure, cholesterol and triglyceride levels, and weight) can be controlled and others (like age, gender and heredity) can be minimized through nutrition and lifestyle choices.Although anyone with a heart faces the possibility of developing cardiovascular disease, women too often do not understand their risks and symptoms. The importance of maintaining a healthy heart is driving many manufacturers and raw material suppliers to develop ingredients, dietary supplements, and functional foods and beverages targeted to cardiovascular health. Key nutritional ingredients that support heart health are fiber, omega-3s (EPA and DHA), niacin, red yeast rice, plant sterols, resveratrol and other antioxidants, and CoQ10.
