Condition
Ischemic Heart Disease
Ischemic heart disease, also called coronary artery disease, happens when the coronary arteries narrow or become blocked, so the heart muscle gets less blood than it needs. Among supplements, omega-3 fatty acids and coenzyme Q10 have the best-rated evidence, and in two small trials of coenzyme Q10, blood flow went up. Those studies included only 33 people in total, so the evidence for that result is limited.
Sources: PMID 17644511; PMID 16882678
- Supplements studied
- 4
- Graded outcomes
- 2
- Trials
- 3
- People studied
- 811
Evidence by supplement
- Strong
- Moderate
- Limited
- Very limited
| Grade | Outcome | Effect | Size | Studies | People | Studies list |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Blood Flow Small Increase | Improves (the measure goes up) | Small effect | 2 studies | 33 people | ||
| Oxygen Uptake | Improves (the measure goes up) | 33 people | ||||
| Grade | Outcome | Effect | Size | Studies | People | Studies list |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| C-Reactive Protein (CRP) Small Decrease | Improves (the measure goes down) | Small effect | 120 people | |||
| Total cholesterol | Improves (the measure goes down) | 3 studies | 689 people | |||
Studies that measured total cholesterol
| ||||||
| High-density lipoprotein (HDL) | Improves (the measure goes up) | 2 studies | 589 people | |||
| Triglycerides | Improves (the measure goes down) | 1 study | 689 people | |||
Studies that measured triglycerides | ||||||
| Interleukin 6 | Improves (the measure goes down) | 240 people | ||||
| Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) | Improves (the measure goes down) | 689 people | ||||
| TNF-Alpha | Improves (the measure goes down) | 240 people | ||||
Lavender
- Sleep Quality: improves
| Grade | Outcome | Effect | Size | Studies | People | Studies list |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sleep Quality | Improves (the measure goes up) | 5 studies | 64 people | |||
Glutamine
- Exercise Tolerance: improves
| Grade | Outcome | Effect | Size | Studies | People | Studies list |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Exercise Tolerance | Improves (the measure goes up) | 2 studies | 25 people | |||
Studies that measured exercise tolerance | ||||||
Key findings
- Blood FlowImproves (the measure goes up)
- C-Reactive Protein (CRP)Improves (the measure goes down)
The Ischemic Heart Disease Supportive Care protocol
2 primary supplements · 4 supporting supplements
- Omega-3 Fatty Acids2–4 g EPA+DHA daily (icosapent ethyl 4 g for high TG)
- Coenzyme Q10100–300 mg daily
Shop the evidence-backed picks
Support alongside medical care. These supplements are not a treatment for Ischemic Heart Disease. If you are being treated for it, talk to your clinician before adding one: supplements can interact with medicines.
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Studies cited
100 studies from PubMed
- Effects of Coenzyme Q10 Supplementation on Depressive Symptoms and Fatigue: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials.
- Efficacy and Safety of Berberine Alone for Several Metabolic Disorders: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Clinical Trials.
- Berberine Ameliorates Metabolic Dysfunction in Obesity: A Review
- Berberine for NAFLD: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
- Berberine: Botanical Occurrence, Traditional Uses, Extraction Methods, and Relevance in Health
- Berberine: A Plant-Derived Alkaloid with Therapeutic Applications
- Berberine and Gut Microbiota: Clinical Evidence and Mechanisms
- Berberine Improves Glucogenesis and Lipid Metabolism in Diabetes: A Systematic Review
- Safety and Tolerability of Berberine: A Systematic Review of Clinical Studies
- Effects of Berberine on Insulin Resistance: A Comprehensive Review
- The Role of Berberine in the Control of Metabolism: A Review
- Molecular Targets of Berberine and Its Derivatives: Focus on Cardiovascular Protection
- Effects of berberine on lipid profile in subjects with low cardiovascular risk
- A network meta-analysis on the comparative effect of nutraceuticals on lipid profile in adults.
- The effects of berberine supplementation on cardiovascular risk factors in adults: A systematic review and dose-response meta-analysis.
- The Effect of Berberine on Metabolic Profiles in Type 2 Diabetic Patients: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials
- Berberine in the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus: a systemic review and meta-analysis
- Treatment of type 2 diabetes and dyslipidemia with the natural plant alkaloid berberine
- Glucose-lowering effect of berberine on type 2 diabetes: A systematic review and meta-analysis.
- Effects of administering berberine alone or in combination on type 2 diabetes mellitus: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
- Overall and Sex-Specific Effect of Berberine for the Treatment of Dyslipidemia in Adults: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Placebo-Controlled Trials.
- Efficacy of Berberine in Patients with Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease
- Effect of berberine administration on metabolic syndrome, insulin sensitivity, and insulin secretion
- Efficacy and safety of berberine for congestive heart failure secondary to ischemic or idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy
- Effects of berberine gelatin on recurrent aphthous stomatitis: a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind trial in a Chinese cohort
- Efficacy and safety of berberine for several cardiovascular diseases: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.
- Efficacy and safety of berberine in preventing recurrence of colorectal adenomas: A systematic review and meta-analysis.
- Effects of berberine and barberry on anthropometric measures: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials
- The Effect of Berberine on Reproduction and Metabolism in Women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Control Trials.
- Oral coenzyme Q10 supplementation in patients with migraine: Effects on clinical features and inflammatory markers
- Efficacy of coenzyme Q10 in migraine prophylaxis: a randomized controlled trial
- Effectiveness of coenzyme Q10 in prophylactic treatment of migraine headache: an open-label, add-on, controlled trial
- A randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled, crossover, add-on study of CoEnzyme Q10 in the prevention of pediatric and adolescent migraine
- The synergistic effects of nano-curcumin and coenzyme Q10 supplementation in migraine prophylaxis: a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind trial
- Oxidative stress correlates with headache symptoms in fibromyalgia: coenzyme Q₁₀ effect on clinical improvement
- Coenzyme Q10 supplementation alleviates pain in pregabalin-treated fibromyalgia patients via reducing brain activity and mitochondrial dysfunction
- Increased oxidative stress and coenzyme Q10 deficiency in juvenile fibromyalgia: amelioration of hypercholesterolemia and fatigue by ubiquinol-10 supplementation
- Coenzyme q10 regulates serotonin levels and depressive symptoms in fibromyalgia patients: results of a small clinical trial
- Can coenzyme q10 improve clinical and molecular parameters in fibromyalgia?
- Reversal of mitochondrial dysfunction by coenzyme Q10 supplement improves endothelial function in patients with ischaemic left ventricular systolic dysfunction: a randomized controlled trial
- Dose-Response Effect of Coenzyme Q10 Supplementation on Blood Pressure among Patients with Cardiometabolic Disorders: A Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE)-Assessed Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials.
- Electrocardiographic and hemodynamic effects of coenzyme Q10 in healthy individuals: a double-blind, randomized controlled trial
- Effects of coenzyme Q10 on vascular endothelial function in humans: A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials
- Coenzyme Q10 and exercise training in chronic heart failure
- Effects of Coenzyme Q10 Supplementation on Lipid Profiles in Adults: A Meta-analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials.
- Mediterranean Diet Supplemented With Coenzyme Q10 Modifies the Expression of Proinflammatory and Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress-Related Genes in Elderly Men and Women
- Efficacy of coenzyme Q10 on semen parameters, sperm function and reproductive hormones in infertile men
- Coenzyme Q(10) supplementation in infertile men with idiopathic asthenozoospermia: an open, uncontrolled pilot study
- Effect of Coenzyme Q10 supplementation on antioxidant enzymes activity and oxidative stress of seminal plasma: a double-blind randomised clinical trial
- Coenzyme Q10 improves seminal oxidative defense but does not affect on semen parameters in idiopathic oligoasthenoteratozoospermia: a randomized double-blind, placebo controlled trial
- Coenzyme Q10 administration has no effect on sICAM-1 and metabolic parameters of pediatrics with type 1 diabetes mellitus
- Clinical trial of the effects of coenzyme Q10 supplementation on glycemic control and markers of lipid profiles in diabetic hemodialysis patients
- Effects of coenzyme Q10 supplementation on serum values of adiponectin, leptin, 8-isoprostane and malondialdehyde in women with type 2 diabetes
- Effects of Coenzyme Q10 Supplementation on Metabolic Indicators in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.
- Effectiveness of Coenzyme Q10 Supplementation for Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
- Coenzyme Q(10) improves endothelial dysfunction of the brachial artery in Type II diabetes mellitus
- Coenzyme Q10 improves blood pressure and glycaemic control: a controlled trial in subjects with type 2 diabetes
- Coenzyme Q10 improves endothelial dysfunction in statin-treated type 2 diabetic patients
- The effects of coenzyme Q10 supplementation on cardiometabolic markers in overweight type 2 diabetic patients with stable myocardial infarction: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial
- Influence of adjuvant Coenzyme Q10 on inflammatory and oxidative stress biomarkers in patients with bipolar disorders during the depressive episode
- Evaluating the Effect of Coenzyme Q10 Augmentation on Treatment of Bipolar Depression: A Double-Blind Controlled Clinical Trial
- Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) in isolated diastolic heart failure in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM)
- Coenzyme Q10 terclatrate and creatine in chronic heart failure: a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind study
- Effects of coenzyme Q10 on arterial stiffness, metabolic parameters, and fatigue in obese subjects: a double-blind randomized controlled study
- Coenzyme Q10 supplementation and exercise-induced oxidative stress in humans
- Effects of Coenzyme Q10 Supplementation on Biomarkers of Oxidative Stress in Adults: A GRADE-Assessed Systematic Review and Updated Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials.
- Postprandial antioxidant effect of the Mediterranean diet supplemented with coenzyme Q10 in elderly men and women
- Effects of coenzyme Q10 supplementation on liver mitochondrial function and aerobic capacity in adolescent athletes
- Effects of coenzyme Q10 supplementation on plasma adiponectin, interleukin-6, and tumor necrosis factor-alpha levels in men
- Efficacy and Optimal Dose of Coenzyme Q10 Supplementation on Inflammation-Related Biomarkers: A GRADE-Assessed Systematic Review and Updated Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials.
- Effects of coenzyme Q10 supplementation on glycemic control: A GRADE-assessed systematic review and dose-response meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.
- Impact of oral ubiquinol on blood oxidative stress and exercise performance
- The effects of coenzyme Q10 supplementation on performance during repeated bouts of supramaximal exercise in sedentary men
- Antifatigue effects of coenzyme Q10 during physical fatigue
- Oxidative stress and antioxidant defense in plasma after repeated bouts of supramaximal exercise: the effect of coenzyme Q10
- A randomized trial of coenzyme Q10 in mitochondrial disorders
- Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of coenzyme Q10 in isolated systolic hypertension
- A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover study of coenzyme Q10 therapy in hypertensive patients with the metabolic syndrome
- Effect of coenzyme Q10 administration on endothelial function and extracellular superoxide dismutase in patients with ischaemic heart disease: a double-blind, randomized controlled study
- Efficacy and Safety of Coenzyme Q10 Supplementation in the Treatment of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: a Systematic Review and Meta-analysis
- Hormonal and Metabolic Effects of Coenzyme Q10 and/or Vitamin E in Patients With Polycystic Ovary Syndrome
- Treatment of coenzyme Q10 for 24 weeks improves lipid and glycemic profile in dyslipidemic individuals
- Beneficial Effects of Coenzyme Q10 Supplementation on Lipid Profile and Intereukin-6 and Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1 Reduction, Preliminary Results of a Double-blind Trial in Acute Myocardial Infarction
- Developmental profiles in young children with Prader-Labhart-Willi syndrome: effects of weight and therapy with growth hormone or coenzyme Q10
- Effect of coenzyme Q10 on risk of atherosclerosis in patients with recent myocardial infarction
- Coenzyme Q10 supplementation reduces oxidative stress and increase antioxidant enzyme activity in patients with coronary artery disease
- Coenzyme Q10 as a treatment for fatigue and depression in multiple sclerosis patients: A double blind randomized clinical trial
- Coenzyme Q10 supplementation ameliorates inflammatory markers in patients with multiple sclerosis: a double blind, placebo, controlled randomized clinical trial
- Safety and efficacy of coenzyme Q10 supplementation in early chronic Peyronie's disease: a double-blind, placebo-controlled randomized study
- Coenzyme Q10 supplementation reduces oxidative stress and decreases antioxidant enzyme activity in children with autism spectrum disorders
- The effect of dietary intake of coenzyme Q10 on skin parameters and condition: Results of a randomised, placebo-controlled, double-blind study
- Aging skin is functionally anaerobic: importance of coenzyme Q10 for anti aging skin care
- Reducing exercise-induced muscular injury in kendo athletes with supplementation of coenzyme Q10
- Coenzyme Q10 supplementation during pregnancy reduces the risk of pre-eclampsia
- The efficacy and safety of coenzyme Q10 in Parkinson's disease: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.
- Coenzyme Q10 supplementation provides mild symptomatic benefit in patients with Parkinson's disease
- The Effects of Coenzyme Q10 Supplementation on Metabolic Profiles of Patients with Chronic Kidney Disease: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials.
- Effectiveness of Coenzyme Q10 Supplementation for Reducing Fatigue: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials
- The effect of coenzyme Q10 pretreatment on ovarian reserve in women undergoing hysterectomy with bilateral salpingectomy: a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.
- Lack of functional benefit with glutamine versus placebo in Duchenne muscular dystrophy: a randomized crossover trial