What is Congestive Heart Failure?

Congestive heart failure (CHF) refers to an inability of the heart to effectively pump enough blood. Weakness, fatigue, and shortness of breath are the most common symptoms of CHF.

What causes Congestive Heart Failure?

Chronic CHF is most often due to long-term effects of high blood pressure, previous myocardial infarction, disorder of a heart valve or the heart muscle, or chronic lung diseases such as asthma or emphysema.

What dietary factors are important in Congestive Heart Failure?

Since CHF is most often due to chronic high blood pressure, the same dietary factors important in that condition apply here. Most notably, eliminate salt (sodium chloride) intake; follow a high-potassium diet rich in fiber and complex carbohydrates; increase dietary consumption of celery, garlic, and onions; and reduce or eliminate the intake of saturated fats.

What nutritional supplements should I take for Congestive Heart Failure?

Foundation Supplements. There are three products from Natural Factors that I think are critical in supporting good health:

• MultiStart (age and gender specific multiple vitamin and mineral formulas). Follow label instructions.
• Enriching Greens - a great tasting "greens drink" containing highly concentrated "greens" like chlorella, spirulina, wheat grass juice, barley grass juice, etc., and herbal extracts. Take one serving (one tablespoon) in 8 ounces of water daily.
• RxOmega-3 Factors - A true pharmaceutical grade fish oil supplement. Take two capsules daily.

Thiamin deficiency is common in CHF and can lead to sodium retention, peripheral dilation of blood vessels, and worsening of heart failure. Furosemide (Lasix, the most widely prescribed diuretic) and digoxin (a drug used to increase the force of contraction of the heart beat) can both lead to thiamin deficiency within the heart muscle. Several double-blind studies have shown that daily doses of 80 to 240 mg of thiamin per day improve CHF in people takine furosemide.

Magnesium deficiency is also common in CHF. The level of magnesium in the blood correlates with the ability of the heart muscle to manufacture enough energy to beat properly. In addition to providing benefits of its own in treating CHF, magnesium supplementation prevents the magnesium depletion caused by the conventional drug therapy for CHF-digitalis, diuretics, and vasodilators (beta-blockers, calcium-channel-blockers, etc.). Magnesium supplementation has been shown to produce positive effects in CHF patients who are receiving conventional drug therapy, even if their serum magnesium levels are normal. Take 150 to 250 mg three times daily.

Coenzyme Q10 plays a role in energy production within the heart muscle. Numerous studies have also shown that CoQ10 supplementation is extremely effective in the treatment of CHF. Most of these studies utilized CoQ10 along with conventional drug therapy. In other words, CoQ10 was used as an adjunct. Take 150 to 300 mg daily.

Carnitine is a vitamin-like compound that stimulates the breakdown of fats by the mitochondria-the energy-producing units in cells. Several double-blind clinical studies have shown that carnitine improves cardiac function in patients with congestive heart failure. Take 300 to 500 mg three times daily.

Hawthorn (Crataegus sp.) preparations are very effective in the early stages of congestive heart failure and minor arrhythmias. This effectiveness in CHF has been repeatedly demonstrated in double-blind studies. Use standardized hawthorn extracts (1.8% vitexin-4'-rhamnoside or 10% procyanidin content) at a dosage of 100-250 mg three times daily.

How do I know if the program is working?

The goals in the natural treatment of CHF are to improve energy metabolism within the heart and to improve the blood supply to the heart. Magnesium, thiamin, CoQ10, and hawthorn extracts can achieve these goals. In minor cases of CHF, I have found the natural approach usually provides all the support the heart needs to function effectively. However, in more severe cases drug therapy will also be necessary. That does not mean the nutritional and herbal measures should be abandoned.

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Condition Center Caution:

• Dr. Murray’s recommendations and protocols for nutritional support are not intended as a substitute for appropriate medical care.
• The products and the claims made about specific products on or through this site have not been evaluated by the United States Food and Drug Administration and are not approved to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent disease.
• If you have a medical condition or disease, please talk to your doctor prior to using the recommendations given.
• Do not self-diagnose. Proper medical care is critical to good health. If you have a health concern or undiagnosed sign or symptom, please consult a physician, preferably a naturopathic doctor (N.D.), nutritionally oriented medical doctor (M.D. or (D.O.), or other health care specialist. Please go to www.naturopathic.org to find a qualified naturopathic doctor (N.D.) in your area to help you.
• Make your physician aware of all the nutritional supplements or herbal products you are currently taking to avoid any negative interactions with any drugs you are taking.
• If you are currently taking a prescription medication, you absolutely must work with your doctor before discontinuing any drug or altering any drug regimen.