The Best Vitamins for the Heart In recent years, research has
identified other factors that may increase the risk of heart
disease. Homocysteine is an amino acid made by the body during
normal metabolism. Studies suggest that elevated homocysteine
increases the risk of heart disease by causing damage to the
lining of the arteries and promoting clots. The amount of
homocysteine in the blood is regulated by three vitamins for the
heart: folate, vitamin B12, and vitamin B6 (4). A deficiency of
these vitamins can increase levels; likewise, supplementing with
these vitamins for the heart can lower homocysteine levels.
Vitamin B6 deficiency can result from a poor-quality diet. Only
during the later stages of a deficiency are symptoms seen when
the intake of proper nutrients has been very low for some time.
Signs of vitamin B6 deficiency include skin inflammation, a sore
tongue, depression, confusion and convulsions. Vitamin B6 is
found in a wide variety of foods, including cereals, beans,
meat, poultry, fish, and s