The Cardiovascular System—A Sophisticated System
The cardiovascular system supplies the entire body with oxygen, water, and essential nutrients. It consists of thepulmonary circulation,where oxygen from the air we breathe is exchanged for carbon dioxide—a byproduct of metabolism—and thesystemic circulation,which supplies all the body’s cells with oxygen and nutrients. This finely tuned system works continuously and is the foundation for physical performance, health, and well-being. To ensure thatthe heart, blood pressure, and blood vesselsremain in balance over the long term, a healthy diet, sufficient exercise, stress management, and a targeted supply of essential nutrients are crucial.
The TISSOCardiovascular Package, for example, offers practical support in this area: a carefully balanced combination of the productsPro Blutdruck Relax, Pro Q10 Spectrum,andPro Omega Ultra,which support heart function, blood pressure regulation, and vascular health on multiple levels. These three products are easy to incorporate into your daily routine and help you strengthen your cardiovascular system all around—for more energy, well-being, and a healthy heart.
How does the cardiovascular system work?
The heart and blood vessels make up the cardiovascular system. They supply the body, its organs, and tissues with blood and nutrients.The heart isa hollow muscle divided down the middle by the septum. Each side consists of a right or left atrium and a right or left ventricle. Arteries and veins carry blood through the atria and ventricles, respectively, thus forming the cardiovascular system. In this process,an arterycarriesoxygen-rich bloodawayfromthe heart so that it can be distributed throughout the body.The veins ofthe systemic circulation carryoxygen-poor bloodbacktothe heart so that it can be reoxygenated there. This results in two circulatory systems:
Oxygen-poor blood is carried from the body through the veins back to the heart and on to the lungs. The blood collects in the right atrium and flows from there through the right ventricle into the pulmonary artery. It then enters the right and left lungs, where it releases carbon dioxide and takes up oxygen. From there, the oxygen-rich blood flows into the left atrium, where the systemic circulation begins.
The systemic circulation begins in the left atrium, where oxygen-rich blood has now accumulated. From there, it is pumped into the left ventricle and then into the body via the aorta. The vascular system branches out so that smaller blood vessels supply all organs, tissues, and cells with oxygen and the vital substances mentioned earlier. The blood absorbs carbon dioxide. Then the pulmonary circulation begins again from the start.
Essential Nutrients for a Healthy Cardiovascular System
Just like all other organs,our heart in particular needsa wide variety of minerals, vitamins, and other essential nutrientsto remain healthy and function effectively throughout our lives.
Vitamins
B Vitamins
- Vitamin B1 supports healthy heart function.
- Folic acid, or folate, supports healthy blood formation and normal homocysteine metabolism.
- Vitamin B6 and vitamin B12 support the production of red blood cells.
- Vitamin B2 helps maintain red blood cells.
Vitamin C
It plays an important role in the formation of collagen, which is a key component of blood vessels, for example. It also helps the body better absorb iron from plant-based foods.
Vitamin D3
Vitamin D3 is important for the proper absorption and utilization of calcium, thereby helping to maintain healthy calcium levels in the blood.
Vitamin K2
Vitamin K2, just like calcium, is important for blood clotting.
Minerals
Potassium
This mineral helps maintain healthy blood pressure.
Magnesium
Electrolyte balance is important for a healthy cardiovascular system. Magnesium plays an essential role in maintaining this balance.
Iron
It ensures the proper transport of oxygen and supports the formation of red blood cells and hemoglobin in the blood.
Plant Compounds & Polyphenols
OPC from Grape Seeds
This powerful antioxidant protects blood vessels from oxidative stress and maintains their elasticity.
African mallow
The polyphenols found in African mallow support vascular function and may have a positive effect on blood pressure.
Lemon Verbena
Thanks to special polyphenols, lemon verbena promotes vasodilation and helps maintain stable blood pressure levels.
Fermented Black Garlic
Black garlic is particularly rich in antioxidants and known for its vascular-protective properties.
Other Substances
Omega-3 Fatty Acids
The two most important omega-3 fatty acids—EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) and DHA (docosahexaenoic acid)—support healthy heart function. To achieve this, at least 250 mg should be consumed daily. As polyunsaturated fatty acids,omega-3 fatty acidsalso help maintain healthy blood cholesterol levels when the food source is rich in them.
Coenzyme Q10
The heart requires a great deal of energy. This is evident from the fact that the mitochondria—the heart’s “power plants”—account for an astonishing 50 percent of the heart’s weight.Coenzyme Q10is found in high concentrations in the mitochondria.
L-carnitine
The heart performs at peak levels without ceasing. It derives the energy it needs for this from fats, which can only be transported into the mitochondria with the help ofL-carnitine. Because of its high energy requirements, the heart needs a particularly large amount of carnitine.
Increased Need for Essential Nutrients in Cardiovascular Diseases
In addition to the nutrients mentioned above, people with cardiovascular diseases may also have an increased need for certain micronutrients*. The following table shows some examples:| Cardiovascular disease* | Increased demand for: |
|---|---|
|
High Blood Pressure |
Coenzyme Q10 |
|
Coronary Heart Disease |
B vitamins, vitamin C, coenzyme Q10, L-carnitine |
|
Heart Failure |
Vitamin D3, Coenzyme Q10 |
|
Cardiomyopathy (enlargement of the heart chambers) |
Coenzyme Q10, L-carnitine |
|
Heart Attack |
Selenium |
* This refers to a potentially increased need for nutrients and not to the relief, cure, or prevention of a disease.
The cardiovascular system works tirelessly to supply organs and tissues with oxygen and nutrients. To keep the heart and blood vessels healthy over the long term, in addition to exercise, a healthy diet, and stress management, a targeted intake of essential micronutrients is also necessary.
OurCardiovascular Packagecombines three high-quality products that complement each other in their effects and support your cardiovascular system on multiple levels:
- Pro Blutdruck Relax– with lemon verbena and African mallow (metabolaid®), fermented black garlic (ABG10+®), and grape seed extract (OPC)—enriched with potassium to support normal blood pressure and vitamin B1 (thiamine) to support healthy heart function
- Pro Q10 Spectrum– provides both forms of Q10 (CAVAQ10® and Kaneka Ubiquinol™) as well as a polyphenol complex and vitamin B3 for increased energy and healthy heart function.
- Pro Omega Ultra– provides you with high-quality omega-3 fatty acids (EPA and DHA) from Norwegian cod liver oil, as well as antioxidants to support healthy blood vessels and protect your cells.
Whether for prevention or active support, the Cardiovascular Package can be your daily companion for heart health—natural, effective, and more affordable as a package than when purchased individually.
Three Pillars for a Healthy Cardiovascular System
You can support your heart throughout your entire life. The following three pillars can serve as a guide:
Nutrition and Dietary Supplements
Whole-grain products, nuts, fresh vegetables and fruits, legumes, and high-quality fish and meat are good sources of the nutrients mentioned above. These foods should appear on your plate regularly and in moderate amounts. Sugar, alcohol, and other indulgences should be the exception. This also helps with weight management.
For those who are unable to optimize their diet or who have an increased need for essential nutrients—such as athletes or older adults—taking appropriate dietary supplements may be a good idea.
Exercise
Everyone should incorporate 30 minutes of exercise into their daily routine. This can be anything from biking to brisk walking to swimming. The main thing is that it gets your heart pumping a little.
Stress Management
Constantly elevated adrenaline levels and chronic stress are just as harmful to the heart as prolonged psychological stress. That’s why it’s very important—for the whole body, by the way—that it be allowed to rest regularly.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
The most common cardiovascular diseases include, among others, high blood pressure, arrhythmias, coronary heart disease (CHD), heart failure, heart attack, cardiomyopathy (enlargement of the heart chambers), heart valve disease, and peripheral arterial disease (narrowing of the arteries).
Cardiovascular diseases can have various causes. Often, several factors contribute to their onset. These include an unhealthy lifestyle characterized by a lack of physical activity, smoking, and poor nutrition. High blood pressure, elevated cholesterol levels, and diabetes mellitus are also common causes. In addition, genetics and a family history of the disease can increase the risk of cardiovascular disease. Being overweight or obese can also put a strain on the heart, while chronic stress can contribute to inflammation and high blood pressure.
It is important to maintain a healthy, balanced diet that includes whole grains, nuts, fresh vegetables and fruits, legumes, and high-quality fish and meat. Sugar, alcohol, and other indulgences should be the exception. Regular exercise—ideally daily—is also of great importance. Effective stress management is also crucial. In addition, heart health can be specifically supported with nutrients such as omega-3 fatty acids, vitamins, and minerals. Coenzyme Q10, for example, is found in large quantities in the heart muscle. People with high blood pressure and heart failure therefore have an increased need for coenzyme Q10. For comprehensive support, we recommend the TISSO Cardiovascular Package, which specifically supports heart function, blood vessels, and blood pressure.
Green tea is considered particularly beneficial for the heart and circulatory system. It contains antioxidant compounds such as catechins, which can reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease. Studies suggest that regular consumption of green tea can lower blood pressure and improve cholesterol levels. Garlic tea is also valued for its potential benefits for blood pressure and cholesterol.