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Most of the important vitamins for the heart are also essential for overall health, so incorporating them into your diet can offer benefits far beyond bolstering your cardiovascular system. Yet vitamins are just one of the many nutrients your body needs to function at optimal capacity.

There are certain chemicals that the body needs in order to perform all of its daily functions, from building muscle to metabolizing fat to removing toxins. Vitamins fall under this category, and since the body cannot produce them on its own, its important to get these important nutrients from our diet or from supplementation. Basically, vitamins assist in all of the chemical processes that occur within the body on a daily basis.

When we refer to vitamins for the heart, we are referring to those that specifically benefit the cardiovascular system, although a spectrum is always ideal for general wellness.

However, if you mention heart vitamins to a doctor or nutritionist, he or she will most likely bring up the B Family of vitamins. The actions of these nutrients can directly help promote cardiovascular health, and reduce your chances of developing heart disease.

The specific B vitamins for the heart include vitamin B9, known more commonly as folic acid, B6 and B12. These 3 vitamins help remove an abnormal protein from the body called homocysteine. Studies show that those with elevated homocysteine levels are at a greater risk for a heart event, with over 10% of coronary deaths attributed to high concentrations of this protein in the blood.

Since meat is a good source of essential B vitamins for heart health, many vegetarians are at increased risk of dangerous homocysteine levels, and as such should supplement them to avoid health complications.

Another one of the important B heart vitamins is niacin (B3). It has been shown in some clinical studies to reduce cholesterol when administered in high doses. High cholesterol is a well-known risk indicator of heart disease.

Outside of the B vitamins for the heart, vitamins C and E are also important. These two antioxidants work together to help remove toxic chemical byproducts, known as free radicals, from the body. Free radicals can cause cell damage and lead to heart disease, cancer and other serious health complications. Yet vitamins for heart health are just one source of important antioxidants...some herbal extracts and other nutrients have more antioxidant power than vitamins. As such the ideal heart health regimen will include these other sources as well.

So what's the best way to get all of the vitamins for the heart?

Start with a balanced diet, including foods from all groups, especially fruits, vegetables, lean meat and nuts, which are nutrient dense. Because many of the nutrients in the foods we eat are depleted by the time they hit store shelves due to poor manufacturing and handling processes, you might want to consider supplementing these essential heart vitamins in the form of a comprehensive formula that also includes minerals, herbal extracts and other compounds that can help promote cardiovascular health.

With all of the therapeutic nutrients together with vitamins heart health can be achieved, and you can significantly reduce your risk of a cardiovascular event. Learn more about promoting a healthy heart on our site.

David Bloom is a health enthusiast and contributor to many fitness sites. He is the author of Vitamins for the Heart, a section of Healthy Heart Guide discussing important nutrients for cardiovascular health.