HiLife Vitamins Blog — Heart Health

  The gut microbiome is a complex community of bacteria that live in the digestive tract. These bacteria play an important role in many aspects of health, including metabolism, immunity, and mood. Recent research has shown that people with heart disease often have an unhealthy gut microbiome. This unhealthy microbiome can produce harmful substances that can damage the heart and blood vessels. One of the main harmful substances produced by an unhealthy gut microbiome is lipopolysaccharide (LPS). LPS is a toxin that is released when certain bacteria die. LPS can trigger inflammation and immune system activation, which can damage the...

  Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) is an antioxidant that is naturally produced by the human body to counteract free radicals. CoQ10 is lipid soluble and provides antioxidant activity in cell membranes, including mitochondrial membranes. It is also essential for mitochondrial respiration, which generates energy for cells. The heart, liver, kidneys, and pancreas have the highest concentrations of CoQ10, which decreases with age and can be depleted by illness.   Studies in the early 2000s suggested that statin medications reduce CoQ10 levels in the body, which may cause adverse effects associated with statin use. Consequently, CoQ10 supplementation has been recommended for patients...