Cardiovascular System
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Start spring naturally fit with L-citrulline & cordyceps and recharge your batteries
Experience the invigorating power of nature and science. For new energy, strong blood vessels and mental freshness. Ideal for anyone who wants to get off to a powerful start.
The days are getting longer, the light is returning and now is the time to give your body a gentle boost. The combination of L-citrulline, an amino acid that promotes blood circulation, and the vital mushroom cordyceps supports you in a natural way. For more performance, better focus and an all-round vital body feeling.
Moving through spring: supporting joints naturally with MSM, glucosamine and chondroitin
Find out how your joints work - and how targeted nutrients, exercise and high-quality supplements can promote your mobility.
Movement is often difficult after winter. Stiff joints and limited range of motion are not uncommon. Natural active ingredients such as MSM, glucosamine and chondroitin can help to support normal joint function and prevent discomfort. Now is the ideal time to get going with renewed energy. Moving, vital and well nourished into spring.
Vitamin D3 and K2: the perfect combination for bones and well-being
Find out why vitamin D3 and K2 are so important, especially in the dark season, and how they support your immune system and bone health.
Vitamin D3 helps to banish the winter blues, while vitamin K2 promotes the optimal utilization of calcium. Discover the best food sources and find out when targeted supplementation can be useful.
Stopping cravings: How chromium stabilizes your blood sugar levels
Find out why the trace element chromium can reduce cravings and how it supports your metabolism.
Chromium helps regulate blood sugar levels, helps prevent sudden hunger and promotes long-term wellbeing. Discover the benefits of this important nutrient and find out how you can specifically integrate it into your diet!
Thanks to bitter substances and enzymes, a naturally spring-fit and healthy digestion
Find out how bitter substances and enzymes stimulate your digestion, alleviate digestive problems and gently balance the gastrointestinal tract.
Bitters and enzymes naturally support digestion, relieve bloating and promote general well-being. Discover how you can get off to a fresh and stomach-friendly start with bitter foods, the right diet and high-quality food supplements. For a good gut feeling, day after day.
Clear head, full focus - with ginseng & ginkgo
More concentration, less stress: Natural support for everyday life
Spring brings fresh energy - but sometimes your head feels foggy rather than clear? Ginseng and ginkgo are proven plants that can help boost focus and mental performance. Whether for learning, at work or simply for more mental freshness - discover how this power combination can take your concentration to a new level!
Springtime is liver time! How milk thistle & choline take the strain off your liver
Find out how choline, milk thistle and a conscious diet regenerate your liver and support your metabolism in a natural way.
After months of heavy eating, your liver also needs a break. Choline and milk thistle promote natural detoxification, strengthen the fat metabolism and provide fresh energy for body and mind. Discover how you can make your liver fit for spring with targeted nutrition and vital substances. Scientifically sound and naturally effective.
Iron deficiency? How iron tablets support your vitality
In the cold season, a sufficient iron level is particularly important for energy, blood formation and well-being.
Find out which iron supplements optimally support the body, what you should pay attention to when taking them and how you can specifically prevent iron deficiency. For more strength and vitality in winter!
Strengthening the immune system in the cold season. Magnesium as a key mineral
Find out why magnesium is essential for a strong immune system and how you can optimally cover your requirements.
Especially in the cold season, magnesium supports the body's own defenses, ensures normal muscle function and helps to maintain energy. Discover magnesium-rich foods and practical nutrition tips for resilient health in winter!
Detox cure with L-arginine: Detoxify & recharge your energy
Find out how L-arginine supports your detoxification, boosts your metabolism and improves your athletic performance.
With a 5-day detox plan, you can cleanse your body in a targeted manner, promote blood circulation and increase your well-being. For more energy and an all-round good feeling!
Goodbye winter skin: Radiant skin with biotin, hyaluronic acid & omega-3
Discover the best nutrients for supple and resilient skin in the cold season.
Biotin promotes skin renewal, hyaluronic acid provides deep moisture and omega-3 strengthens the skin's protective barrier. Find out how you can optimally care for your skin and enjoy the winter with a radiant complexion!
Support hormonal balance in spring naturally with monk's pepper and vitamin B6
For a stable cycle and greater well-being
Spring brings change - also for the hormone balance. Monk's pepper and vitamin B6 can help to alleviate PMS symptoms and regulate the menstrual cycle. Discover natural ways for more balance and well-being!
Radiant skin in spring with zinc and OPC
Support skin renewal and bring back the natural glow
Now that spring is here, your skin needs new energy. Find out how you can improve the appearance of your skin with targeted care, zinc and OPC - for a fresh, radiant complexion in spring. Find out more now!
Winter salad with chia: Superfood for the cold season
Discover delicious and nutritious winter salad recipes with chia seeds, turmeric and fresh winter vegetables.
Chia provides valuable omega-3 fatty acids and fiber, while crunchy ingredients ensure enjoyment and variety. Be inspired and enjoy healthy, delicious salads in winter!
More oxygen, more energy: Iron and vitamin C as a spring turbo
Are you already feeling the spring, but not yet at full power?
Maybe your body is missing just the right combination of iron and vitamin C! Find out why these two nutrients can increase your blood oxygen saturation - and how you can regain your vitality in no time at all. Leave fatigue behind and start the warm season with fresh energy!
Activate metabolism for more energy with L-carnitine & omega-3
How to keep your body active without dieting stress
Spring is calling, and with it comes the desire for more energy and a fit body. L-carnitine and omega-3 fatty acids can gently support your metabolism by boosting fat burning and reducing oxidative stress. Find out why now is the perfect time to give your system a boost!
Support for Picky Eaters
When children's picky eating behavior endangers the nutrient supply
Does your child consistently refuse vegetables and only accepts a handful of foods? Here you can find out what is behind the so-called “picky eater syndrome”, why vitamin C is so essential for children's development and which tricks help to defuse picky eating behavior without pressure.
Liver detox with L-glutathione: fresh energy for spring!
Gentle detoxification instead of a crash cure - how L-glutathione supports the liver
The liver filters toxins out of the body and optimally utilizes nutrients. But how can you strengthen it naturally without going on extreme detox cures? Discover here what glutathione has to do with the liver and which simple home remedies can help with “spring cleaning” from the inside.
Winter cabbage & iron: Powerful nutrients for the cold season
Find out how winter cabbage, vitamin C and iron-rich foods support your health and provide your body with optimum care.
Winter cabbage provides valuable iron, which is absorbed even better with vitamin C. Discover delicious recipes and nutrition tips to keep you fit and full of energy throughout the winter!
Protection for your mucous membranes with vitamin B3 (niacin)
Cold air outside, dry heating air inside - this can put a strain on mucous membranes
Find out how micronutrients such as niacin (vitamin B3) can help to support the natural barrier function of the mucous membranes and effectively counteract dryness. An adequate supply of vitamin B3 can help to maintain the well-being of your skin and mucous membranes during the cold season.
Sleeping problems in winter? How magnesium supports your sleep!
How magnesium can contribute to a relaxed night
Winter not only brings cold temperatures, but often also restless nights. Many people toss and turn in bed, struggle with muscle tension or wake up tired in the morning despite getting enough sleep. Magnesium is an essential nutrient that plays a role in muscle relaxation and the sleep-wake rhythm. In this article, you will find out which magnesium supplements are suitable for the evening hours and how you can promote a restful night's sleep with simple routines.
More energy in winter: Ashwagandha as natural support
How the adaptogen can help alleviate the winter blues.
The dark season can not only dampen your mood, but also cause persistent tiredness and listlessness. When energy is lacking and exhaustion remains even after a good night's sleep, the right support for body and mind may be lacking. Ashwagandha is a traditional adaptogen that can help promote inner calm and stabilize the sleep-wake cycle. Find out how you can support your well-being in winter with simple measures and a targeted supply of nutrients.
Constant tiredness despite sleep? How vitamin B complex gives you new energy
More energy, better concentration and less fatigue - this is how B vitamins support your body in winter.
Do you know the feeling of waking up completely exhausted in the morning, even though you've actually had enough sleep? Winter fatigue often robs us of energy, especially in the darker months of the year. The good news is that your body can do more than you think - it just needs the right stimuli! Find out how a vitamin B complex can help you reduce fatigue, boost concentration and get through the winter with more energy. Read now how you can specifically support your energy metabolism!
Strengthen your family with a vitamin boost in winter
Little sunlight, fluctuating temperatures and waves of colds challenge the immune system. Find out how you can get through the cold season healthy and full of energy with vitamin C!
Find out which symptoms indicate a vitamin C deficiency, which foods are real vitamin C bombs and how you can easily integrate your daily intake into your everyday life. Whether for parents, children or older people - with the right nutrients, the whole family can stay strong!
Cardiovascular system: our body in motion
Have you ever wondered how your body functions day after day without you consciously having to think about it? Our cardiovascular system takes care of that. It is the transport system of our body and is responsible for supplying every single cell with essential nutrients and oxygen. If you want to understand exactly how this vital system works, you will find answers here.
The heart is a tireless motor
At the center of the cardiovascular system is the heart, a muscle the size of a fist that tirelessly pumps blood throughout our body. Let's take a closer look at how this organ works.
Structure of the heart
The heart has four chambers: the right atrium, the right ventricle, the left atrium and the left ventricle.
These four chambers work together to pump blood throughout the body: the atria draw in blood while the ventricles pump it out. Heart valves, which act like one-way streets to prevent blood from flowing backwards, are located between the atria and the chambers and at the exit of the chambers.
How does the heart work?
The heart works like a highly efficient double pump. The right side of the heart pumps deoxygenated blood to the lungs, while the left side pumps oxygen-rich blood to the rest of the body. With each heartbeat, the heart chambers contract and pump blood into the arteries. They then relax and refill with blood from the atria.
This process is repeated about 60 to 80 times per minute at rest, but can increase to up to 200 beats per minute during physical exertion. The heart constantly adjusts its output to the needs of the body and can significantly increase the amount of blood pumped when needed.
The circulatory system as a transportation system
The circulatory system is a closed system of blood vessels that runs through the entire body. It can be divided into two main circuits: the systemic circulation (also called the great circulation) and the pulmonary circulation (also called the small circulation).
Great circle: supply of the body
The body's circulatory system begins in the left ventricle of the heart. From here, oxygen-rich blood is pumped through the aorta, the largest artery in our body, to all organs and tissues. The aorta branches out into smaller and smaller arteries, which eventually merge into the finest blood vessels, the capillaries.
In the capillaries, oxygen and nutrients are exchanged for carbon dioxide and waste products. The walls of the capillaries are so thin that oxygen and nutrients can easily diffuse into the surrounding tissue.
At the same time, the capillaries absorb carbon dioxide and other waste products from the cells. The now oxygen-poor blood flows through small veins into ever larger veins and finally back to the right atrium of the heart. From there it enters the right ventricle to start the cycle again.
Small circulation: oxygen uptake in the lungs
The pulmonary circulation, also known as the small circulation, begins in the right ventricle of the heart. From here, the deoxygenated blood is pumped into the pulmonary arteries. These branch out into a fine network of capillaries in the lungs, surrounding the pulmonary alveoli.
In the alveoli, the gas exchange takes place: the blood releases carbon dioxide and absorbs fresh oxygen. This process occurs by diffusion – the oxygen from the inhaled air migrates into the blood, while the carbon dioxide passes from the blood into the exhaled air.
The now oxygen-rich blood can flow back to the left atrium of the heart via the pulmonary veins. From there, it enters the left ventricle to be pumped back into the great circulation.
The direction of blood flow
Our blood takes a specific path through our body:
- Oxygen-rich blood leaves the left ventricle.
- It flows through the aorta and arteries throughout the body.
- The exchange of substances takes place in the capillaries.
- Deoxygenated blood collects in the veins.
- It enters the right atrium and the right ventricle.
- From there it is pumped into the lungs.
- In the lungs, it absorbs oxygen and releases carbon dioxide.
- The oxygen-rich blood returns to the left atrium.
- The cycle begins again.
The importance of blood pressure
Blood pressure plays a crucial role in the functioning of the cardiovascular system. It ensures that blood flows through the blood vessels at a sufficiently high pressure to reach all organs. Blood pressure is created by the pumping force of the heart and the resistance of the blood vessels.
With each heartbeat, two pressure values are created:
- Systolic pressure: this occurs when the heart contracts and pumps blood into the arteries.
- Diastolic pressure: this occurs when the heart relaxes and refills with blood.
Normal blood pressure is around 120/80 mmHg (millimeters of mercury). However, high blood pressure can damage blood vessels and lead to cardiovascular disease.
Blood vessels: a complex network
Blood vessels form an elaborate transportation system that permeates the entire body. There are three main types of blood vessels:
- Arteries: They carry oxygen-rich blood away from the heart to organs and tissues. Arteries have thick, elastic walls to withstand the high pressure of the blood pumped by the heart.
- Veins: These carry deoxygenated blood back to the heart. Veins have thinner walls than arteries and contain valves that prevent the blood from flowing backwards.
- Capillaries: These are the smallest blood vessels. Their paper-thin walls allow the exchange of oxygen, nutrients and waste products between blood and tissue.
Interesting facts about the cardiovascular system
- At rest, an adult's heart beats about 100,000 times a day.
- Over the course of an average lifetime, the heart beats about 3 billion times.
- The total length of all blood vessels in the human body is about 100,000 kilometers. This length is more than twice the circumference of the earth.
- The cardiovascular system pumps the entire amount of blood, about 5 to 6 liters, through the body once every minute.
- The capillaries are so narrow that red blood cells can only pass through them in a single row.
Cardiovascular diseases are the most common form of illness.
Unfortunately, cardiovascular diseases are among the most common health problems in our modern society. They are the leading cause of death worldwide.
The most common cardiovascular diseases include:
- Hypertension: A chronic increase in blood pressure in the arteries is a risk factor for further cardiovascular diseases.
- Coronary heart disease: A narrowing of the coronary arteries that leads to reduced blood flow in the heart muscle.
- Heart attack: An acute occlusion of a coronary vessel, leading to an undersupply and possible damage of the heart muscle tissue.
- Stroke: A sudden interruption of the blood supply to the brain, which can lead to neurological deficits.
- Heart failure: A diminished pumping function of the heart, leading to an insufficient supply of blood and oxygen to the body.
Our bowel health also plays a crucial role in our general well-being. It should therefore not be neglected. A strong immune system is equally important.
Risk factors for cardiovascular disease
There are a number of risk factors that can lead to cardiovascular disease:
- Hypertension: Chronically elevated blood pressure puts sustained strain on blood vessels and organs.
- Smoking: This harmful habit damages blood vessels and significantly increases the risk of cardiovascular disease.
- Obesity: Excess body fat puts additional pressure on the cardiovascular system.
- Lack of exercise: A lack of physical activity has a long-term negative impact on heart health.
- Unhealthy diet: A diet high in saturated fats and sugar promotes the development of cardiovascular diseases.
- Diabetes mellitus: This metabolic disorder can damage blood vessels and significantly increase the risk of cardiovascular disease.
- High cholesterol levels: High blood cholesterol levels promote the formation of deposits in blood vessels.
- Stress: Stress: Prolonged mental and physical stress can have a negative effect on the cardiovascular system. You should therefore try to avoid stressful situations as much as possible.
- Genetic predisposition: Hereditary predispositions can increase an individual's risk of developing certain cardiovascular diseases [1].
Preventing cardiovascular disease: how does it work?
How can you support your cardiovascular system? There are numerous ways to strengthen your cardiovascular system and keep it healthy. One of the most important things you can do is exercise regularly. Moderate physical activity strengthens the heart and improves blood flow. Experts recommend at least 150 minutes of moderate or 75 minutes of vigorous exercise per week. Suitable activities include walking, swimming, cycling and dancing.
A balanced diet is equally important. A diet rich in fruit, vegetables and whole grain products helps to keep your blood vessels healthy. Reduce your consumption of saturated fats, sugar and salt. A vitamin K2 deficiency can also have a negative effect on our cardiovascular system.
Because stress can have a negative effect on the cardiovascular system, you should make sure you have an effective stress management strategy. Good ways of reducing stress include meditation, yoga or regular relaxation exercises. Getting enough sleep also plays an important role in the regeneration of the entire body, including the cardiovascular system. Aim for 7-9 hours of sleep per night.
You should also have your blood pressure and other relevant values checked regularly by your doctor. The early detection and treatment of risk factors can prevent cardiovascular diseases.
And very importantly: if you smoke, giving up is one of the most effective measures for your heart health. Smoking damages the blood vessels and significantly increases the risk of cardiovascular disease. Moderation is also the order of the day when it comes to alcohol consumption, as excessive consumption can increase blood pressure and damage the heart. Finally, weight control plays an important role. Excess weight puts additional strain on the cardiovascular system. For example, have you ever tried losing weight with amino acids?
By incorporating these recommendations into your daily routine, you can actively help to support your cardiovascular system and improve your overall health [2].
The future of cardiovascular medicine
Research is constantly advancing. The future of cardiovascular medicine also promises significant progress in various areas:
Personalized medicine: genetic analysis can be used to tailor treatments to individual patients. These customized therapies enable more precise and effective treatment by taking into account the specific genetic characteristics and risk factors of each patient.
New drugs: innovative active ingredients promise better treatment options for cardiovascular diseases. Researchers are developing targeted drugs that influence specific molecular mechanisms, thus enabling more effective therapy with fewer side effects [3].
Minimally invasive procedures: Modern techniques enable less invasive surgery on the heart and blood vessels. These procedures not only reduce surgical trauma and recovery time, but also open up treatment options for patients who are not candidates for conventional surgery.
Artificial intelligence: AI systems can help identify risks early and optimize treatments. By analyzing large amounts of data, AI algorithms can detect subtle patterns and assist doctors with diagnosis and treatment planning, leading to improved patient care.
Regenerative medicine: Researchers are working on methods to regenerate or replace damaged heart tissue. These groundbreaking approaches, such as the use of stem cells or cultured tissue, could revolutionize the treatment of heart attacks and chronic heart failure in the future [4].
Our cardiovascular system: an amazing system
The cardiovascular system is truly a wonder of nature. It works tirelessly to supply every cell in our body with essential nutrients. Unfortunately, our cardiovascular system is also susceptible to a variety of diseases.
Fortunately, we can prevent cardiovascular disease with fairly simple measures. This is particularly effective if we understand how it works. Then we can consciously support it and thus maintain our health in the long term.
Current research on cardiovascular diseases also promises some positive developments and advances in treatment options for the future. Nevertheless, we should not underestimate what we can do for our health ourselves with fairly simple means.
So, what are you waiting for?
Sources
[1] https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31112654/
[2] https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34922952/
[3] https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35879138/
[4] https://dzhk.de/newsroom/aktuelles/news/artikel/stammzellen-fuer-das-herz-neue-methoden-zur-regeneration-von-herzmuskelgewebe