Cardio-Power provides nutritional support for the heart and for overall circulation. Current and historical references suggest that substances contained within the ingredients in Cardio-Power can nutritionally help support the heart, increase endurance, aid with energy, and promote better overall health. Some with cardiovascular concerns are often cold, have cold extremities (cold hands and feet), while others simply get exhausted too easily. Since cardiovascular system is too important to rely on a few incomplete isolated nutrients, Cardio-Power is made up of the highest quality Foods to provide the nutrients that natural health professionals are looking for to support the cardiovascular system. Although sometimes used by those with hypertension, it is also taken by athletes interested in better performance, individuals who want more energy, as well as by many with hypotension.

Cardio-Power contains the following Foods:

Acerola Cherry is one of the most vitamin C dense Foods. Not only does it have free radical scavenging abilities, it also has been shown to increase the antioxidant abilities of some other foods (1). “Vitamin C’s antioxidant effects are well established. It has been reported to protect plasma lipids from oxidative damage…and appears to play an important role in its possible cardioprotective activity…Several studies have shown that vitamin C has positive effects on hypertension” (2).

Bovine Glandulars are a natural Food believed by their proponents to provide nutritional support for the corresponding gland in the body (3-7). Bovine glandular organs, such as heart, aorta, and liver have been a Food part of the human diet for centuries (8). Glandulars contain nutritional peptides, enzymes (when freeze-dried or vacuumed-dried), and substances believed to be hormone precursors (3-7). The heart pumps blood throughout the body and is probably the most important circulatory organ. “The heart is composed of three types of cardiac muscle: atrial muscle, ventricular muscle, and specialized excitatory and conductive muscle fibers” (9)—this complexity is one of the reasons why Foods, not isolates, are the preferred source for cardiovascular nutrition. The aorta is involved in blood pressure, circulation, and other functions (9). The liver is the chemical factory of the body and produces hundreds of substances needed by the body (9). Early research indicated that ruminant source glandulars (bovine, ovine) were better for humans than other animal sources (5,6,10). Co-enzymes Q9 and Q10 are naturally found in bovine heart tissue (11). Bovine heart tissue also naturally contains folate, selenium, vitamin B6, vitamin B12, vitamin C, vitamin E and other essential nutrients (12).

Garlic constituents appear to have selective inhibition on platelet aggregation and adhesion, platelet functions that may help reduce the risk of myocardial infarction and ischemic stroke (13). “Inhibition of thrombocyte aggregation, increased bleeding time and clotting time, and enhancement of fibrinolytic activity have been demonstrated in clinical trials” using garlic constituents (14). Garlic has been found to lower LDL (but not HDL) and to slightly reduce blood pressure in those with high cholesterol (15). Garlic intake has been found to reduce age-related increases in aortic stiffness (16). Its antioxidant effects appear responsible for decreasing premature aging (14); garlic “is also used for prevention of age-related vascular changes and arteriosclerosis. In addition to alliins (14), garlic naturally also contains benfotiamine, which is a natural form of vitamin B1 with its own health benefits.

Hawthorn Berry “[d]ilates the coronary blood vessels, lowers cholesterol levels, and restores heart muscles, [i]ncreases intracellular vitamin C levels”, and is [u]seful for anemia, cardiovascular and circulatory disorders, high cholesterol, and lowered immunity” (17). “Because of its strong cardiac activity, hawthorn has been suggested to be of use in CHF {congestive heart failure} and cardiac performance…At least one report exists on the plant’s potential antiarrhythmic effects…Hawthorn flavonoid components also possess vasodilatory action…Hawthorn is known to

be beneficial in myocardial ischemia…Hawthorn has been studied for the prevention and treatment of atherosclerosis…{and} hypertension…Other effects of hawthorn include oxygen species scavenging activity…and the ability to treat elective mutism” (18).

Rice Bran is a natural source of B vitamins and fiber (14).

Selenium has antioxidant abilities and is found in heart tissue. “Low dietary intake of selenium is associated with increased risk of some cardiomyopathies, ischemic heart disease and cardiovascular disease generally” (2). One study found that myocardial infarction patients had significantly lower blood and plasma selenium levels than controls, suggesting a possibly protective effect from selenium (19). Food selenium is about twice as well retained as non-food selenium (20).

Vitamin B6, B12 & Folate can work together (as well as separately) to help lower homocysteine levels (21)—many doctors believe that homocysteine levels are a better predictor of cardiovascular health than cholesterol levels. Vitamin B6 also has antiatherogenic properties and sometimes has been found to help lower both systolic and diastolic blood pressure (2). Vitamin B12 deficiency can cause tingling, numbness, low energy, irritability, and mood disorders (2).

“Vitamin E has antioxidant ability. It may also have anti-atherogenic, antithrombotic, anticoagulant, neuroprotecive, antiproliferative, immunomodulatory, cell membrane-stabilizing and anti-viral actions” (2). Foodvitamin E has up to 4.0 times more free radical scavenging strengththan synthetic vitamin E (22).