Cardiovascular Disease

Evidence suggests cocoa flavanols can prevent CVD mortality

11-Apr-2022 By Nicola Gordon-Seymour

US researchers conducting a Cocoa Supplement and Multivitamin Outcomes Study (COSMOS) observed a 27% reduction in deaths from cardiovascular disease (CVD) in older adults treated with the extract, although there was no improvement in the death rate for...

Omega-3s found to protect against heart failure hospitalization among Type 2 diabetics

05-Apr-2022 By Hank Schultz

Researchers mining data from a previous study have found that omega-3 supplementation cut the rate of hospitalization for heart failure among patients diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes. This effect was heightened for Black subjects, the authors said.

Could a coffee a day keep the doctor away?

17-Feb-2022 By Lynda Searby

Drinking up to three cups of coffee a day could have protective effect on heart health, say researchers.

More omega-3s makes for healthier conformation of red blood cells, study finds

04-Feb-2022 By Hank Schultz

A new study has found a correlation between omega-3 levels and a blood marker associated with greater overall health.

Breast is best: Breastfeeding mums may benefit from improved cardiovascular health, study finds

14-Jan-2022 By Will Chu

Breastfeeding mums may have a lower risk of developing heart disease, stroke, or death from cardiovascular disease compared to those who do not breastfeed, a review suggests.

$Turmeric roots are ground and pelletized before the curcuminoid fractions are extracted either with solvents or supercritical CO2. NutraIngredients-USA photo$

Review: Curcuminoids suppress atherosclerosis, but most data comes from in vitro, animal models

27-Jul-2021 By Hank Schultz

A new review concludes there is strong evidence for how curcuminoids can support vascular health. But the authors note that much of that evidence comes from in vitro tests and trials using animal models.

Plant sterol and probiotic supplement significantly lowers cholesterol, says study

08-Apr-2021 By Nikki Hancocks

A 12-week intervention pilot study has suggested a supplement containing a plant sterol with a probiotic mix can be a lower risk way to reduce cholesterol, compared with standard statin treatment.

Study signals need for vitamin k2 with statin use, says firm

08-Mar-2021 By Nikki Hancocks

Norway-based vitamin K2 supplier NattoPharma has highlighted new evidence connecting statin use to increased cardiovascular risk which it says further proves the need for Vitamin K2 supplementation in these patients.

Fermented soy helps lower cholesterol in RCT

09-Feb-2021 By Nikki Hancocks

Consuming fermented soy daily can decrease total and LDL cholesterol levels, and may offer a dietary strategy to manage blood lipids, according to an industry funded study.

'Vigorous' RCT debunks blood type diet

07-Dec-2020 By Nikki Hancocks

A newly published intervention study has added weight to those debunking the celeb-lauded 'blood type diet', concluding that blood type is not associated with the effects of a plant-based diet on body weight, body fat, plasma lipid concentrations,...

Vitamin D and K status linked to reduced mortality risk, say researchers

10-Sep-2020 By Nikki Hancocks

Combined low vitamin D and K status are associated with increased all-cause mortality risk and possibly with cardiovascular events, according to a newly published cohort study.

Danish population study further bolsters case for vitamin K2

19-Aug-2020 By Hank Schultz

A new study on cardiovascular health using a protein as a biomarker has bolstered the evidence backing the notion that the benefits of vitamin K2 are so important that the substance should have its own RDI, a Norwegian supplier says.

Plant-based diets and blood pressure: How to boost the positive link

21-Jul-2020 By Nikki Hancocks

A plant-based diet is beneficial for blood pressure but the nutritional quality of the foods is equally important, according to an international study of nearly 4,700 participants.

Study pinpoints gut bacteria linked to reduced heart disease risk

10-Jul-2020 By Nikki Hancocks

A specific strain of bacteria found in the human gut has the potential to reduce the risk for heart disease, scientists have discovered.

Nattopharma partners KD Pharma for customised heart health products

26-Jun-2020 By Nikki Hancocks

Norway-based vitamin K2 specialist NattoPharma and US-based omega-3 fish oil expert KD Nutra have partnered to create innovative cardiovascular health supplements.

Global study links high fat dairy consumption to blood and heart health

27-May-2020 By Nikki Hancocks

Eating at least two daily servings of high fat dairy, but not low fat, is linked to lower risks of diabetes, high blood pressure, and signs of metabolic syndrome, according to an observational study of nearly 150,000 people across the globe.

Habitual tea drinking may help prevent cardiovascular disease and premature death: China population study

06-Mar-2020 By Guan Yu Lim

Tea consumption could reduce the risks of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) and mortality, especially among consistent habitual tea drinkers.

Two drug trial failures not good news for omega-3s sector

15-Jan-2020 By Hank Schultz

The omega-3s sector has endured a bad week with the announcement of the failure of clinical trials of two high profile drugs—one based of fish oil and the other on krill.

Indian gooseberry supplementation may improve coronary health

13-Mar-2019 By Adi Menayang

Study participants who ingested extract of Indian gooseberry, or amla, had lower total cholesterol and triglyceride levels after 12 weeks, compared to the group of participants who ingested a placebo.

NutraIngredients Omega-3 Summit

Diet, dosage and disease: Why some studies haven't reported omega-3's heart health benefits

01-Mar-2019 By Cheryl Tay

Dietary intake, supplement dosage, and comorbidities are three factors that can be overlooked when trying to determine omega-3's effects on cardiovascular disease, says a professor from the University of Western Australia.

Paper in prestigious journal underpins vitamin K2's role in cardiovascular health, supplier says

08-Feb-2019 By Hank Schultz

A recent review paper funded by a Norwegian research grant reinforces the developing story that vitamin K2 is important for cardiovascular health as well as bone health.

Hibiscus tea may help reduce cardiovascular disease risk, new study suggests

06-Feb-2019 By Adi Menayang

A team of British and Nigerian researchers reported immediate effects that suggest a reduction of cardiovascular disease risk after study participants ingested a hibiscus drink.

Curcumin-fenugreek combo linked to improved cardiovascular health markers in obese young men

29-Jan-2019 By Adi Menayang

Obese men who consumed a branded fenugreek fiber and curcumin combination exhibited improved metabolic markers and cholesterol concentrations compared to a placebo.

Aortic stiffness linked to dementia. Can vitamin K2 help reduce the risk?

11-Jan-2019 By Adi Menayang

Researchers found that individuals with arterial stiffening have increased risk of dementia, paving a way to market vitamin K2 in the brain health space—an area in which K2 was not previously considered, according to one supplier.

Resveratrol may improve cholesterol levels, suggests new study out of Mexico

02-Aug-2018 By Adi Menayang

A resveratrol supplement fared better than a placebo in lowering total cholesterol levels of Mexican adults with high cholesterol, according to a new study.

Applying drug-like endpoints to omega-3s reviews bound to end in failure, experts say

23-Jul-2018 By Hank Schultz

Reaction continues to roll in on the recent Cochrane review that found little evidence supporting the cardiovascular benefits of omega-3s. Experts questioned the underlying assumptions in how the review was put together.

CRN rebukes another null study on multivitamins and heart health: 'They are not intended to serve as magic bullets'

10-Jul-2018 By Adi Menayang

Another study published this year posits multivitamin consumption does not improve cardiovascular outcomes. A supplement industry trade group reminds that they weren’t made for that anyway.

Plant-based meat substitutes are 'useful transition foods' for a healthier diet

01-Jun-2018 By Niamh Michail

The science is clear: a vegetarian diet is better for heart health, a study says - but does that include processed meat analogues? "While not as healthful as whole plants, they are useful transition foods," says one researcher.

Expert: Null study on multivitamins probably asked the wrong questions

31-May-2018 By Hank Schultz

An expert on the effects of multivitamins and minerals said he’s not in the least surprised that a recent meta analysis found that the ingredients don’t cut heart disease risk.

New study out of Poland suggests garlic extract may reduce cardiovascular risk in obese individuals

18-May-2018 By Adi Menayang

A three-month long study in Poland suggests that garlic extract supplementation improved some markers linked to cardiovascular risk better than a placebo.

Policosanol fraction, Vitamin K2 combo helps statin users in study

31-May-2017 By Hank Schultz

A policosanol derivative teamed with vitamin K2 was found to be effective in lowering cardiovascular disease risk markers in a large scale study conducted in Serbia.

Daily chocolate fix reduces heart disease risk in postmenopausal women

15-May-2017 By Gary Scattergood

Daily consumption of flavanol-rich cocoa reduced arterial stiffness in postmenopausal women – therefore lowering the risk of heart attacks and strokes, a study revealed.

Olive extract shows modest arterial stiffness benefit in study

06-Feb-2017 By Hank Schultz

A study on a standardized olive fruit extract shows promise for consumers at risk of arterial stiffness, as measured by a reduction in triglycerides. The extract showed less effect when measured with a vascular index.

A handful of nuts a day reduces major disease risk: Review

05-Dec-2016 By Will Chu

Eating at least 20 grams of nuts a day could cut the chances of dying from respiratory disease by about a half and diabetes by nearly 40%, researchers say.

DSM and China firm By-Health seal deal for CVD collaboration

22-Nov-2016 By Gary Scattergood

DSM has sealed a strategic collaboration agreement with Chinese supplement firm By-Health to develop new cardiovascular health products containing tomato extract ingredient Fruitflow.

Mediterranean diet protects health even for those with cardiovascular disease

30-Aug-2016 By Niamh Michail

Italian scientists have linked the Mediterranean diet with lower mortality rates for sufferers of cardiovascular disease, but they also warn that the diet’s benefits are reaching fewer people as consumers are priced out of eating healthily, especially...

Long-term multivitamin use linked to fewer heart problems: Harvard study

03-May-2016 By Stephen Daniells

A daily multivitamin may protect men from cardiovascular events such as heart attack and stroke in the long-term, says a new study.

Study finds berry pigments may decrease bad cholesterol in overweight individuals

20-Jan-2016 By Adi Menayang

The anthocyanins found in berries help decrease bad cholesterol in overweight individuals, but don’t affect the levels of individuals considered to have a healthy weight.

Cocoa flavanols show heart-health benefit, says new study

10-Sep-2015 By Nathan Gray

Flavanols found in cocoa and other foods can have a beneficial effect on cardiovascular health, reducing blood pressure in healthy subjects, according to new research.

Unilever back in court over pro.activ cholesterol claims

28-Jul-2015 By Shane STARLING

Food giant Unilever appeared in a Hamburg court today to defend use of expert statements that its plant sterol-based Becel pro.activ did not have any side effects such as bloodstream plaque levels in healthy people.

Olive oil polyphenols improve cardiovascular markers for young healthy men

08-Jul-2015 By Stephen Daniells

Polyphenols from olive oil may reduce LDL cholesterol levels and the build-up of LDL in the arterial walls (LDL atherogenicity) in healthy young men, says a new study from Europe.

Polish national survey data

Heart scares may inspire higher antioxidant, polyphenol and flavonoid intakes: Study

17-Mar-2015 By Annie Harrison-Dunn

When faced with cardiovascular disease, Polish men and women modify their diets to increase their intakes of antioxidants, polyphenols and flavonoids, according to a national health survey.

NICE to update heart health guidance; omega-3s and sterols-stanols considered

01-Apr-2014 By Sarah Hills

Guidance on the prevention of cardiovascular disease relating to sugar, salt and fats – including omega-3s – should be updated, the UK's National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) has concluded. Plant sterols and stanols were also considered.

United States Preventive Services Task Force review

Evidence insufficient for multivitamins to reduce risk of heart disease and cancer: Systematic review

11-Nov-2013 By Stephen DANIELLS

The current evidence is ‘insufficient’ for vitamin and mineral supplements to prevent cardiovascular disease (CVD) or cancer in healthy people without nutritional deficiencies, says a new review from the researchers for the United States Preventive Services...

Is theobromine responsible for cocoa’s cholesterol benefits?

21-May-2013 By Stephen DANIELLS

The potential of cocoa to beneficially impact ‘good’ cholesterol levels may be linked to the theobromine content and not the flavonoids, says a new study from Unilever Research & Development Vlaardingen.

Dispatches from the 6th International Congress on Vegetarian Nutrition

Mediterranean diet cuts heart disease risk by 30%: 'Landmark’ study provides compelling evidence that it’s the type, not the level of fat, that counts for cardio health

26-Feb-2013 By Elaine Watson, Loma Linda, California

People following an energy unrestricted plant-based diet supplemented with extra-virgin olive oil or nuts can reduce their risk of a major cardiovascular event by 30% compared with people following a purely low-fat diet, according to a “landmark” new...