Healthy Circulation heart and circulation support supplement

Grape seed

Grape seed is rich in unsaturated fatty acids and proanthocyanidins. Besides, it contains flavonoids that can be considered the building blocks of proanthocyanidins. The latter compounds have proven anti-inflammatory effects, and (together with the other compounds of the seed) it also has antioxidant effects.

The vessel protecting effect of grape seed partly prevails through the maintenance of normal cholesterol levels. A study showed that in case of the consumption of grape seed the concentration of the beneficial HDL-cholesterol increases in the blood when compared to placebo consuming group.[i] Consumption of grape seed helps maintaining the elasticity of blood vessels and the normal blood pressure in hypertension patients.[ii] It was shown that grape seed decreased hypertension in metabolic syndrome.[iii] Grape seed, due to its antioxidant effect, may mitigate oxidative stress, and therefore slow atherosclerotic processes.[iv]

The role of grape seed in the maintenance of normal blood pressure has been also studied. In a trial, the use of grape seed extract significantly improved the artificially influenced coagulation parameters, which indicates a positive effect on the activity of platelets. [iv]

In case of dietary supplement containing grape seed, the following (pending) health claims that are not yet evaluated by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) can be used for the information of costumers:

• It supports venous circulation, it helps in the maintenance of the integrity of blood vessels, including the health of veins and capillaries. It provides natural protection against free radicals, helps in the maintenance of normal function of cells (2139, 4720).

Cocoa flavonols

Flavonols are polyphenolic compounds that are found in certain plants, such as cocoa bean, green tea and grape seed. Flavonols have multiple beneficial health effects in both polymer (proanthocyanidine) and free flavonol forms.

According to an epidemiological study, there is an inverse proportion between flavonol intake and deaths due to ischemic heart disorders; therefore, the increase in flavonol consumption decreases the risks.[iv] The beneficial effects of the compounds could be explained with their considerable antioxidant capacity; the deceleration of LDL-oxidation, and therefore the deceleration of atherosclerosis; the improvement of the vascular endothelial function; and the inhibition of the activation and aggregation of platelets, and therefore the decrease in the risk of blood clot formation.[vii] Flavonols therefore have a double effect: beyond vasoprotective effects they also have a role in the maintenance of normal coagulation.[viii]

According to a study, the daily consumption of 700 mg cocoa flavonols for a week beneficially influences the cholesterol levels and decreases the experimentally triggered coagulation of platelets. [ix] In a study they found that the intake of flavonols and the decrease of the blood’s viscosity are connected to each other, which may also indicate its effect on platelets. [x]

A cocoa bean extract that is high in flavonols (CocoActiv) contains 300 times more physiologically valuable flavonols than chocolate does. In connection with the clinical evidence about the extract, the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) found the causality valid between the intake of cocoa flavonol (at least 200 mg/day) in the special extract and the maintenance of the normal endothelial dependent vasodilation. [xi]

In case of dietary supplements containing cocoa extract that has high flavonol levels (also used in this product), the following health claim approved by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) can be used for informing the costumers:

• Cocoa flavonols support the maintenance of the elasticity of blood vessel walls, which contributes to the normal blood flow. [xii]

Ginger

Ginger showed atherosclerosis inhibitory effects in animal experiments. Through its blood pressure regulating, cholesterol decreasing, antioxidant and platelet aggregation inhibitory effects, it has beneficial cardiovascular effects. Even though clinical trials prove that it does not interact with anticoagulant medications. [xiii]

In one clinical trial ginger decreased the level of LDL-cholesterol and increased the cardiovascular system protective HDL-cholesterol’s level. [xiv]

In case of dietary supplement containing ginger, the following (pending) health claim that is not yet evaluated by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) can be used for the information of costumers:

• It contributes to the protection of the vascular system and supports the maintenance of the health of the heart (2717).

Vitamin K

This vitamin is necessary for the synthesis of several proteins that have a role in the blood coagulation; if this vitamin is deficient, coagulation disorders, bleeding develops. However, vitamin K also has a role in the development of the procoagulant protein C and protein S, and therefore has an antithrombotic effect. [xv] This dual effect makes it suitable for the prevention of conditions associated with increased thrombus formation and bleeding by preventing vitamin deficiency.[xvi]

In case of dietary supplements containing vitamin K, the following health claim approved by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) can be used for the information of costumers

• Vitamin K contributes to the normal blood coagulation. [xvii]