CardioPhyt™ (60)
CardioPhyt™ contains vitamins, minerals and herbs that work synergistically to support the cardiovascular system. The formula includes bioactive forms of minerals, standardized extracts of ginkgo biloba and garlic, vitamin E and natural carotenoids.
The product has been manufactured using high quality pure raw materials and the technology that ensures all their beneficial properties intact, in strict compliance with GMP and TÜV regulations.
The heart is an amazing muscle. It never rests for more than a second. It is astonishingly efficient. Its few moving parts are almost indestructible. It is far more durable than any man made pump. It is hardly bigger than a clenched fist and weighs only 200-425 grams. Yet, every minute this powerful pump is delivering blood (which carries oxygen and nutrients) to all parts of the body.
• Human heart starts contracting at about four weeks after conception?
• In a typical year, it pumps about 3.5 million liters.
• In the average lifetime, the heart beats 2.5 billion times to pump 250 million liters!
And as one of the few organs you can actually feel working, the heart symbolizes all life forces - love, excitement, courage, fear - which make you what you are.
Most of us take our hearts for granted – until we experience a problem. A stroke, heart attack or even a diagnosis of high blood pressure can cause you to take notice of your heart health. But cardiovascular fitness doesn’t just happen. How you treat your heart will determine how long and how well it will continue to work for you.
Heart disease is the biggest killer all over the world now, especially for the middle-aged and senior people. Lifestyle is a major factor in heart disease.
According to medical doctors, there is a whole group of risk factors that increase the chances of cardiovascular diseases development, including high cholesterol level, hypertension, overweight/obesity and diabetes. (1)
The good news is that heart disease is largely preventable.
There are lifestyle factors you can control that may help prevent (or at least postpone) heart disease.
1. Diet
Diet is really important for your heart’s health.
• Cut back on foods, which are high in saturated fat.
• Eat more fish, and skinless chicken.
• Eat more vegetables and fruits. Oranges, bananas, potatoes and tomatoes, for example, supply your body with potassium, which may help control blood pressure. They also provide essential antioxidant vitamins.
• Eat more fiber. Fiber-rich foods may help lower blood cholesterol levels.
• Bake, broil, steam or grill foods rather than frying.
• Avoid adding salt to your food. Cutting back on sodium may help lower blood pressure.
• If you drink alcoholic beverages, do so in moderation.
2. Maintain a healthy body weight.
The best way to do this is to make sure the calories you consume do not exceed the calories you burn. Being overweight increases your risk of heart disease because excess body weight forces your heart to work harder and less efficiently.
3. Get moving.
Regular exercise is essential for a healthy heart. Exercise helps control body weight, and reduces blood pressure. And because your heart is a muscle, it gets stronger with regular exercise like any other muscle in your body. To get the most benefit, you need aerobic exercise (brisk walking, jogging, swimming, cycling) at least three times a week for 30 minutes.
4. Don’t smoke.
Smokers are up to three times more likely to have a heart attack than non-smokers.
5. Reduce stress.
Stress can adversely affect your heart health. It can raise your blood pressure. Relaxation techniques such as yoga, meditation and massage can often help lower your stress level.
6. Nutritional supplements.
Even if you eat a high-fiber, low-fat, well-balanced diet, studies show your heart can benefit from a nutritional supplement. Antioxidant vitamins (A, C and E) guard against free-radical damage, which gives extra protection against heart disease. Garlic helps lower cholesterol and blood pressure, and Ginkgo biloba promotes optimal functioning of the heart.
Santegra®’s product CardioPhyt™ is a powerful formula created to nourish and strengthen the cardiovascular system.
CardioPhyt™ contains vitamins, minerals, herbs and other ingredients targeted to support the cardiovascular system. CardioPhyt™ assists circulation, strengthens the blood vessels and prevents plaque formation on the blood vessel walls, lowers cholesterol levels, lowers blood pressure, normalizes the heart rhythm. It contains potent antioxidants, which protect cells from damage caused by free radicals.
Each CardioPhyt™ capsule supplies a full spectrum of vitamins, herbs, amino acids and chelated minerals.
Vitamin A is presented in the form of beta-carotene and natural carotenoids. Vitamin A is vital for many body’s functions: growth, reproduction, immune system function; participates in production of visual pigments necessary for normal twilight and color vision; provides integrity of epithelial tissues, regulates bone tissue growth, strengthens hair and nails, improves skin condition.
Vitamin C is a strong antioxidant. Antioxidants block some of the damage caused by free radicals. Antioxidants also help reduce the damage to the body caused by toxic chemicals and pollutants (such as cigarette smoke).
Vitamin C is extremely important for cardio-vascular system; it helps decrease blood cholesterol level, blood viscosity, and thrombus formation. Vitamin C necessary to form collagen, an important protein used to make skin, scar tissue, tendons, ligaments, and blood vessels. The body does not manufacture vitamin C on its own. It is therefore important to include plenty of vitamin C in your daily diet.
Vitamin E is an antioxidant that protects your body against the effects of free radicals. Vitamin E has a unique ability to protect fat cells (including cholesterol) from oxidation, a major quality for proper cardio-vascular system functioning. Vitamin E helps maintain blood vessel’s wall elasticity, decreases blood coagulation, prevents clot formation, and improves circulation. Clinical research conducted in the last 10 years proved that vitamin E plays an important role in prophylaxis of cardio-vascular diseases, strengthens the immune system.
Vitamin B3 (niacin) plays essential role in energy metabolism in the living cell and nervous system functions. Niacin is effective in improving circulation and reducing “bad” cholesterol (low density cholesterol) and triglycerides levels; increases “good” cholesterol (high density cholesterol) in the blood. (3, 4)
Folic acid (Vitamin B9) aids in the production of DNA and RNA, the body’s genetic material, and red blood cells; for nervous and cardio-vascular systems functions.
Vitamin B9 works to control blood levels of the amino acid homocysteine. Elevated levels of this substance appear to be linked to certain chronic conditions such as heart disease and, possibly, depression and Alzheimer’s disease. (5)
Vitamin B9 level decreases with age, but homocysteine level increases. (6) Supplemental folic acid intake can prevent the increase in homocysteine blood level. (7)
Vitamin B12 is essential for the maintenance of the nervous and cardio-vascular systems, for the synthesis of molecules, which are involved in the production of energy, red blood cells formation. It is also needed to make DNA, the genetic material in all cells. Vitamin B12 in combination with Folic acid, and vitamin B6 control homocysteine blood level, decreasing the risk of cardio-vascular disease development. Vitamin B12 deficiency can cause irritability, depression, and cognitive changes (loss of concentration, memory loss), loss of endurance.
Magnesium is a vitally important mineral for human health with a wide range of biological functions. Magnesium is essential for more than 300 biochemical reactions in human body. It plays a major role in skeletal system support, increases calcium assimilation.
Magnesium is required for support of nervous and immune systems, participates in energy metabolism and protein synthesis, and regulates blood sugar level. Magnesium can regulate arterial blood pressure. (8)
Zinc is an important microelement that stimulates activity of more than 100 enzymes in a human body. Zinc is essential for immune system support, for normal growth and development, and many different aspects of reproductive functions. It is needed for wound healing activity, DNA synthesis, sense of smell and taste.
Selenium is an essential micronutrient for normal cardio-vascular functions. Clinical trials showed the inverse negative relationship between blood Selenium concentration and the risk of developing cardio-vascular disease.
Selenium is required for activation of large quantity of enzymes used in antioxidant protection that is vital for cardiac health.
Potassium is an element that is essential for the body’s growth and maintenance. Potassium also plays an essential role in the response of nerves to their stimulation and in the contraction of muscles. Cellular enzymes need potassium to work properly. Deficiency symptoms include muscle weakness, decreased reflex response, alkalosis and arrhythmia.
CoQ10 supports cardiovascular system, assists in stabilizing of arterial blood pressure and cardiac rhythm, prevents blood clots formation, improves microcirculation in all tissues, raises energy production in mitochondrion, strengthens the immune system, improves allergies, condition of gums, and raises body’s endurance.
L-carnitine is a necessary component of an energy exchange, with its help fatty acids in an organism are transformed into energy. L-carnitine has beneficial effect on cardiovascular system. Clinical data suggest that L-carnitine is capable to improve myocardium functional parameters, to normalize a cardiac rhythm, to support a normal level of cholesterol and triglycerides, improves blood circulation, and helps to raise physical endurance of an organism.
Red wine grape (Vitis vinifera) extract contains polyphenols (powerful antioxidants) that reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases development, decrease capillary’s wall permeability, increase blood vessels elasticity, and decrease the "bad" cholesterol level. Red wine grape extract provides cancer preventive maintenance.
Ginkgo biloba is the longest surviving tree species in the world. Ginkgo has shown to enhance circulation in the brain and extremities. Ginkgo biloba decreases vascular permeability, improves blood vessel elasticity, and normalizes blood pressure. (9)
Ginkgo biloba reduces activity of platelet activating factor, and thus reduces tendency of blood to clot. Ginkgo biloba is a potent antioxidant.
CardioPhyt™ contains Ginkgo biloba leaf extract (24 % ginkgo flavone glycosides and 6 % terpene lactones) to guarantee its effectiveness.
For centuries garlic (Allium sativum) has been considered a "wonder remedy", with a reputation for preventing everything from the common cold to the plague. Substance, which is responsible for garlic’s positive effects, is sulfur compound allicin, it also contains vitamins A, B1, C, nicotinic acid and choline.
Medical studies have shown that garlic can lower cholesterol, prevent dangerous blood clots, reduce blood pressure, prevent heart diseases, and protect against bacterial and fungal infections.
Many publications have shown that garlic supports the cardiovascular system. Clinical trials suggest it may mildly lower cholesterol and triglyceride levels in the blood. CardioPhyt™ contains odor-controlled garlic extract (10,000 ppm allicin).
Hawthorn (Crataegus spp) is traditionally used for various cardiovascular system problems. The main active ingredients of a hawthornare proanthocyanidins (potent bioflavonoid antioxidants) and flavonoids. Hawthorn berries contain vitamin C and vitamins B complex.
Hawthorn’sactive ingredients provide a toning effect on cardiac muscle, strengthen myocardium contraction, help improve brain and coronary blood circulation, assist in arterial pressure reduction. Hawthorn demonstrates positive influence on nervous system, possesses calming effect, and is useful for sleeplessness.
As a dietary supplement take 1 capsule with a large glass of water 3 times a day for one month.
Contraindication
Individual intolerance, acute glomerulonephritis, stomach ulcer exacerbation, bradycardia.
The heart is one of the most important organs in the entire human body. The heart pumps the blood, which carries all the vital materials, necessary for all body’s function and remove the waste products that we do not need. For example, the brain requires oxygen and glucose, which, if not received continuously, will cause it to lose consciousness. Muscles need oxygen, glucose and amino acids, as well as the proper ratio of sodium, calcium and potassium salts in order to contract normally.
In normal adults, the mass of the heart is 250-350 g (9-12 oz), or about three quarters the size of a clenched fist. It consists of four chambers, the two upper atria and the two lower ventricles.
The function of the right side of the heart is to collect de-oxygenated blood, in the right atrium, from the body and pump it, via the right ventricle, into the lungs, so that carbon dioxide can be dropped off and oxygen picked up. The left side collects oxygenated blood from the lungs into the left atrium. From the left atrium the blood moves to the left ventricle which pumps it out to the body. On both sides, the lower ventricles are thicker and stronger than the upper atria. The muscle wall surrounding the left ventricle is thicker than the wall surrounding the right ventricle due to the higher force needed to pump the blood through the systemic circulation.
Starting in the right atrium, the blood flows through the tricuspid valve to the right ventricle. Here it is pumped out the pulmonary semilunar valve and travels through the pulmonary artery to the lungs. From there, blood flows back through the pulmonary vein to the left atrium. It then travels through the bicuspid valve to the left ventricle, from where it is pumped through the aortic semilunar valve to the aorta. The aorta forks and the blood is divided between major arteries which supply the upper and lower body. The blood travels in the arteries to the smaller arterioles, then finally to the tiny capillaries which feed each cell. The deoxygenated blood then travels to the venules, into veins, then to the inferior and superior venae cavae and finally back to the right atrium where the process began.
The contraction of the cardiac muscle tissue in the ventricles is called systole. When the ventricles contract, they force the blood from their chambers into the arteries leaving the heart. The left ventricle empties into the aorta and the right ventricle into the pulmonary artery. The increased pressure due to the contraction of the ventricles is called systolic pressure. The relaxation of the cardiac muscle tissue in the ventricles is called diastole. When the ventricles relax, they make room to accept the blood from the atria. The decreased pressure due to the relaxation of the ventricles is called diastolic pressure.
Cardiac muscle requires uninterrupted supply of nutrients and oxygen delivered with blood flow through coronary arteries. If coronary artery is blocked, the blood flow is interrupted, cardiac muscle is not receiving nutrients and oxygen, and this can cause the myocardial infarction and failure of the heart to contract effectively or stop contracting completely – cardiac arrest. The most common cardiac dysfunction is the appearance of atherosclerosis plaques – low density cholesterol deposit inside the artery that lead to decreased or total cessation of the blood flow to different organs.
There is a whole list of factors that can contribute to a development of cardio-vascular diseases:
1. Smoking. The statistical death rate from heart attack in smokers is 2-3 times higher than in non-smokers in the same age group.
2. High blood pressure.
3. Insufficient physical activity. Regular physical exercises promote better cardiovascular health support.
4. Eating greasy food. In the countries where people traditionally eat more fruits and vegetables, and less saturated fat, the number of cardiac diseases is rare in occurrence.
5. Stress. People, who experience stress on a job, are more prone to cardiac diseases.
6. Increased body weight.
7. Low anti-oxidant level in the body.
8. Hereditary.
9. Age. The risk of heart attack increases with age, especially after 45 years.
10. Sex. The statistics shows that cardiac disease happens in women 10 years later than in men, and heart attacks – 20 years later. Scientists attribute this fact to the protective quality of women’s estrogen hormone. The production of estrogen decreases with age, especially during menopause, which increases the risk of heart disease development.
According to cardiologists, the most effective methods of cardiac diseases prophylaxis are: reduction of “bad” cholesterol blood level, control of arterial blood pressure and body weight, physical exercise, proper nutrition, smoking cessation, and dietary supplements for healthy heart.
The Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology of Bern University in Switzerland conducted a critical and constructive review of epidemiology and supplementation data regarding cardiovascular disease and cancer. Its purpose was to demonstrate that antioxidants entering our body with fruits and vegetables can be vitally important for prophylaxes of cardiovascular diseases and cancer.
The content of vitamins C, E, and carotinoids in blood plasma is inversely proportional to the risk of developing cardiovascular diseases and cancer, the risk is increasing even more with combine deficits of different vitamins.
For optimal health support the balanced intake of vitamins C + E, A, carotinoids and nutrients from vegetables are necessary. (2)
The researchers discovered that low density cholesterol oxidation process is taking place as a result of free radicals impact; it leads to coronary artery atherosclerosis and heart attack. Vitamin E may help prevent or delay coronary heart disease by limiting the oxidation of LDL-cholesterol. (10)
Vitamin E may also help prevent the formation of blood clots, which could lead to a heart attack. Observational studies have associated lower rates of heart disease with high Vitamin E intake. A study of approximately 90,000 nurses suggested that the incidence of heart disease was 30% to 40% lower among nurses with the highest intake of vitamin E from diet and supplements. Researchers found apparent that the benefit was mainly associated with intake of vitamin E from dietary supplements. High vitamin E intake from food was not associated with significant cardiac risk reduction. (11)
A review of 5,133 Finnish men and women aged 30-69 also suggested that increased dietary intake of vitamin E was associated with decreased mortality (death) from heart disease. (12)
Six clinical trials were conducted to determine the niacin effect in cardiovascular diseases. Clinical trials suggest strong evidence that the use of niacin may prevent and/or treat atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. The Coronary Drug Project (CDP) was the largest of these trials, and the only one to use niacin monotherapy affecting cardiovascular outcomes: recurrent myocardial infarction and cerebrovascular events were significantly decreased. After a long-term (15 years) follow-up, total mortality was also found to have decreased.
The other 5 trials used varying combinations of niacin with other pharmacologic agents, examining coronary and total mortality, coronary events, and angiographic progression/regression. Major positive effect was noted in all trials, except for one, where the participants had normal cholesterol level in the beginning.
According to the results of those clinical trials niacin has reduced the incidence of cardiovascular events and stopped the progression of coronary artery lesions. (4)
Vitamin B6, B12 and folic acid deficit can increase serum homocysteine levels. Lowering serum homocysteine levels with folic acid is expected to reduce mortality from ischemic heart disease. (13)
The result of the analysis to determine the positive effect of hawthorn extract in chronic heart failure, demonstrated its effectiveness as a supporting drug for CHF treatment.
Objective: To compare two different therapeutic strategies in the treatment of heart failure stage NYHA II, i.e. a conventional medication and a therapy which also includes hawthorn special extract in addition to chemical-synthetic drugs.
Patients and Methods: 952 patients with heart failure (NYHA II) were enrolled in the study. 588 patients received Crataegus special extract either as an add-on therapy or as a monotherapy (Crataegus cohort) and 364 patients received therapy without hawthorn (comparative cohort).
Results: The clinical symptoms with regard to all parameters investigated showed the same or a more pronounced improvement in the Crataegus cohort in the course of 2 years. After 2 years, the three cardinal symptoms of heart failure - fatigue (p = 0.036), stress dyspnoea (p = 0.020) and palpitations (p = 0.048) - were significantly less marked in the Crataegus cohort than in the comparative cohort.
Conclusion: The data shows a clear benefit for patients with heart failure stage NYHA II treated with Hawthorn extract. The single or add-on administration in addition to a chemical-synthetic medication resulted in objective improvements. (14)
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2. Gey KF. Vitamins E plus C and interacting conutrients required for optimal health. A critical and constructive review of epidemiology and supplementation data regarding cardiovascular disease and cancer. Biofactors 1998;7:113-74.
3. Brown WV. Niacin for lipid disorders. Postgrad Med 1995;98:185–93 [review].
4. Guyton JR. Effect of niacin on atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. Am J Cardiol 1998;82(12A):18U–23U [review].
5. Refsum H, Ueland PM, Nygard O, Vollset SE. Homocysteine and cardiovascular disease. Annu Rev Med 1998;49:31-62.
6. Bottiglieri T, Reynolds EH, Laundy M. Folate in CSF and age. J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry 2000; 69: 562
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8. Institute of Medicine. Food and Nutrition Board. Dietary Reference Intakes: Calcium, Phosphorus, Magnesium, Vitamin D and Fluoride. National Academy Press. Washington, DC, 1999.
9. Clostre F. From the body to the cell membranes: the different levels of pharmacological action of Ginkgo biloba extract. In: Rokan (Ginkgo biloba): Recent Results in Pharmacology and Clinic.Fünfgeld EW, ed. Berlin: Springer-Verlag, 1988, 180-98.
10. Jialal I and Fuller CJ. Effect of vitamin E, vitamin C and beta-carotene on LDL oxidation and atherosclerosis. Can J Cardiol 1995;11 Suppl G:97G-103G.
11. Stampfer MJ, Hennekens CH, Manson JE, Colditz GA, Rosner B, Willett WC. Vitamin E consumption and the risk of coronary disease in women. N Engl J Med 1993;328:1444-9
12. Knekt P, Reunanen A, Jarvinen R, Seppanen R, Heliovaara M, Aromaa A. Antioxidant vitamin intake and coronary mortality in a longitudinal population study. Am J Epidemiol 1994;139:1180-9.
13. Wald DS, Bishop L, Wald NJ, Law M, Hennessy E, Weir D, McPartlin J, Scott J. Randomized trial of folic acid supplementation and serum homocysteine levels. Arch Intern Med 2001;161:695-700.
14. Pittler MH , Schmidt K, Ernst E. – Complementary Medicine, Peninsula Medical School, Universities of Exeter and Plymouth , 25 Victoria Park Road , Exeter EX2 4NT, United Kingdom. Am J Med. 2003 Jun 1 ; 114 (8): 665-74