Valentine’s Day is celebrated around the world as a day to show your loved ones just how much they mean to you. However, it’s also important to remember your heart health alongside your emotional health. Here are some healthy ways to support your heart this Valentine’s Day:

1.       Supplement
Ubiquinol, the active form of coenzyme q10 (coq10), is a fat-soluble compound and powerful antioxidant that has many health benefits. Ubiquinol is found naturally in every cell of your body and helps support your body’s energy production levels. It also helps support the health of major organs, including the heart, and helps protect against the effects of oxidative stress and free radicals.

Ubiquinol is the most readily bioavailable form of coq10. [1] Although Ubiquinol can be found in foods such as red meat, sardines, peanuts and spinach, you may have to consume a very high amount to reach the recommended daily dose. If you wish to increase your natural levels of Ubiquinol, supplementation may be an option for you.

2.       Stay hydrated
Staying hydrated helps support bodily functions including digestion, circulation, and the transportation of nutrients. Dehydration may contribute to health issues, such as high blood pressure and high cholesterol.

3.       Eat heart healthy foods
There are so many vital natural ingredients that do wonders for your heart. Broccoli is a heart health superfood, containing properties that may reduce the risk of poor heart health and may assist in relieving inflammation within blood vessels.[3]

Magnesium-rich foods such as avocado help support cardiovascular health and may assist in regulating blood pressure. Other heart healthy foods include turmeric, salmon and dark leafy greens.

4.       Activate your life
One of the best ways to support good heart health is to get moving. Regular, moderate exercise may strengthen your heart muscle, helping support its ability to pump blood throughout your body. Physical activity may also lower your risk of developing heart health issues as you get older.

5.       Toast to good health
Red wine contains antioxidants called polyphenols which may help protect the lining of blood vessels in your heart.[4] Red wine is also thought to assist in lowering the risk of developing poor heart health by helping increase levels of the good HDL cholesterol and helping support healthy arteries. However, like all alcohol, red wine should be consumed in moderation.

Before taking Ubiquinol in supplement form consult your medical practitioner to find out whether a supplement is right for you. Always read the label.

[1] Lanhsjoen, P.H. and Langsjoen, A.M. (2014). Comparison study of plasma coenzyme Q10 levels

in healthy subjects supplemented with ubiquinol versus ubiquinone. Clinical Pharmacology in Drug

Development 3(1), 13-17.

[2] Song, G., Li, M., Sang, H., Zhang, L., Li, X., Yao, S., Yu, Y., Zong, C., Xue, Y. and Qin, S., 2013. Hydrogen-rich water decreases serum LDL-cholesterol levels and improves HDL function in patients with potential metabolic syndrome. Journal of Lipid Research, 54(7), pp.1884-1893.

[3] Mahn, A. and Reyes, A., 2012. An overview of health-promoting compounds of broccoli (Brassica oleraceavar. italica) and the effect of processing. Food Science and Technology International, 18(6), pp.503-514.

[4] Snopek, L., Mlcek, J., Sochorova, L., Baron, M., Hlavacova, I., Jurikova, T., Kizek, R., Sedlackova, E. and Sochor, J., 2018. Contribution of Red Wine Consumption to Human Health Protection. Molecules, 23(7), p.1684.