Research Area: Cardiovascular Health
35 ingredients studied for effects on Cardiovascular Health — sorted by research relevance.
CoQ10 (Ubiquinol / Ubiquinone)
CoQ10 reduces mortality in heart failure (Q-SYMBIO); relieves statin-induced muscle pain. In healthy individuals without heart disease, benefits are unproven.
Spermidine
Natural polyamine from wheat germ and legumes. Robustly induces autophagy in cell and animal models; early human trials show positive signals for cognition and heart function.
Ergothionein
Ergothioneine is a sulfur-containing amino acid found primarily in mushrooms, studied for potential antioxidant and age-related benefits despite limited human evidence.
Beta-Glucan
Beta-glucans vary by source: oat forms are solid for cholesterol; fungal forms for immunity have weaker human evidence.
Quercetin
Quercetin is a plant flavonoid with antioxidant and senolytic potential. Human senolytic evidence is limited to tiny pilot studies using Dasatinib+Quercetin combined — not quercetin alone.
Calcium
Essential mineral for bones, muscles, and nerves. Meta-analyses show moderate bone effects in deficiency; high-dose supplements carry cardiovascular risks.
Astaxanthin
Astaxanthin is a membrane-spanning carotenoid antioxidant. Small RCTs show consistent benefits for skin protection and visual fatigue; cardiovascular and longevity data remain limited.
Omega-3 (EPA + DHA)
Omega-3 fatty acids (EPA + DHA) are among the most thoroughly studied supplements. Evidence is strong for triglycerides and high-risk cardiovascular patients; smaller for healthy individuals.
Vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid)
Vitamin C is essential for collagen synthesis and other normal body functions, with approved EFSA claims. Megadoses show no clear benefit beyond adequate intake.
Folsäure (Vitamin B9)
Essential B-vitamin for DNA synthesis, cell division, and homocysteine metabolism. Strong evidence for neural tube defect prevention in pregnancy. L-methylfolate benefits MTHFR carriers.
Vitamin K2 (MK-7)
Vitamin K2 activates calcium-regulating proteins and is studied primarily for bone and vascular health. MK-7 from natto demonstrates good bioavailability.
Taurin
Taurine is an amino acid with a central role in energy metabolism. Animal and observational data have sparked aging research interest; robust human evidence is far more limited.
Vitamin D3 + K2
Low vitamin D levels are common in northern climates. Supplementation is comparatively well studied in deficiency; K2 is often combined but has weaker standalone evidence.
EGCG (Grüntee-Extrakt)
EGCG is green tea's most abundant catechin, studied for metabolism and cellular protection. High-dose supplements carry documented liver toxicity risks.
Vitamin B12 (Cobalamin)
Vitamin B12 is essential for nerve function, DNA synthesis, and homocysteine metabolism. Deficiency is common in vegans, older adults, and metformin users and causes irreversible nerve damage.
Vitamin B1 (Thiamin)
Vitamin B1 (thiamine) is essential for energy metabolism and nerve function. Supplements address deficiency and help high-risk groups—not a general anti-aging compound.
Hydroxytyrosol
Hydroxytyrosol is an olive polyphenol studied for oxidative stress and vascular markers. One of the few EFSA-approved polyphenol claims.
L-Citrullin
L-citrulline may boost nitric oxide production and is linked in studies to improved blood flow and endurance performance during physical exertion.
Iron
Essential for oxygen transport, energy metabolism, and immune function. Clearly effective when deficiency is confirmed — do not supplement without a lab diagnosis.
Vitamin E (Tocopherole)
Vitamin E: 8 lipid-soluble antioxidants protecting cell membranes. Natural mixed tocopherols are generally safe; high-dose synthetic forms carry risks documented in the SELECT trial.
Pterostilben
Pterostilbene is a resveratrol analogue from blueberries with superior bioavailability (~80% vs 20%). Similar mechanisms (SIRT1, AMPK) but fewer human studies to date.
Caffeine
The world's most widely consumed psychoactive substance. Hundreds of RCTs confirm effects on alertness, reaction time, endurance, and short-term cognition.
Kalium
Potassium is essential for blood pressure, nerves and muscles. Often more important via diet than supplementation—and potentially risky when overdosed.
Resveratrol
Known for sirtuin activation in animal models. Poor oral bioavailability (<1% free form) translates poorly to humans; a 2026 umbrella review found no convincing metabolic effects even in diabetics.
L-Theanine
L-theanine promotes relaxed alertness via alpha-wave activation. Best evidence for caffeine synergy; moderate effects on stress markers. Alone, cognitive benefits are limited.
Vitamin D3
Vitamin D3 is well supported for bone, muscle, and immune function when deficiency is confirmed. Without deficiency, additional benefit is significantly weaker — not a universal upgrade.
Akkermansia muciniphila
Akkermansia muciniphila is a gut bacterium linked to better metabolism, intestinal barrier function, and healthy aging in observational studies.
Selen
Selenium is essential for glutathione peroxidases and thyroid hormones. In Germany and Austria, selenium supply is structurally low due to selenium-depleted soils.
Betain (Trimethylglycin)
Betaine is a natural methyl donor that lowers homocysteine and shows modest strength gains in some studies, but evidence is inconsistent and limited.
Curcumin (Turmeric Extract)
Curcumin modulates inflammatory and oxidative pathways; moderate effects on CRP, IL-6, and joint pain—but only with enhanced formulations. Bioavailability is the limiting factor.
Urolithin A
Urolithin A is a gut microbiome metabolite from pomegranate polyphenols, emerging in aging research as a mitophagy inducer.
Cholin
Choline is essential for cell membranes, liver, and acetylcholine production. Important if underprovisioned—but not all choline forms deliver the same brain benefits.
Jod
Iodine is essential for thyroid hormones and cognitive development. Germany faces structural deficiency despite salt iodization. EFSA-approved claims.
Berberine
Berberine shows clinically relevant blood glucose and LDL effects in RCTs for type 2 diabetes. Significant drug interactions and unclear EU regulatory status require caution.
Fucoidan
Fucoidan is a sulfated polysaccharide from brown seaweed with growing evidence for prebiotic gut effects, muscle health, and cardiovascular markers.