Heart & blood vessels

This collection brings together the nutrients that support the heart and the blood vessels, together with the plant extracts people ask us about most. The honest picture is simple. A small group of nutrients has an approved claim in Europe. A much longer list has popularity and tradition behind it. We tell you which is which, so you can spend your money where the evidence sits.

The nutrients with an approved claim

In the UK and the EU, only specific wording may be used. These are the ones that apply to this goal:

• EPA and DHA, the omega-3 fatty acids from oily fish and algae, contribute to the normal function of the heart. This applies from 250 mg EPA and DHA a day.
• Thiamine (vitamin B1) contributes to the normal function of the heart.
• Vitamin C contributes to normal collagen formation for the normal function of blood vessels.
• Potassium contributes to the maintenance of normal blood pressure.
• Plant sterols contribute to the maintenance of normal blood cholesterol levels, from 0.8 g a day.

We keep these claims separate on purpose. Adding them together into one bigger promise is not permitted, and it would not be accurate either. If your main reason for looking is your cholesterol reading, our range for cholesterol is a more direct starting point.

Forms decide how much actually arrives

Two products with the same name on the front can differ a lot on the back.

• Omega-3: read the EPA and DHA figures, not the total fish oil. A 1000 mg capsule often holds around 300 mg EPA and DHA, so you need more than one. Our fish oil and algae oil options state both numbers.
• Potassium: supplement amounts are kept low by law in Europe. Food stays your main source, and a tablet is a top-up.
• Vitamin C: plain ascorbic acid works well. Buffered forms are gentler on an empty stomach.

Coenzyme Q10 needs a separate note. Ubiquinone is the standard form and costs less. Ubiquinol is the already converted version and is easier for the body to use, which mainly starts to matter from around age 40. There is no approved health claim for ubiquinone and ubiquinol products in Europe, so we do not make one. People take it because their own production drops with age.

How we select for this goal

We judge every product on three things: the form, the dose, and whether the combination makes sense. For omega-3 that means the EPA and DHA per capsule printed clearly and oil that is fresh, because rancid oil is the most common flaw in this category. For minerals we prefer well absorbed forms such as citrate and bisglycinate. We leave out formulas that hide token doses behind a long ingredient list. We buy directly from the brands, so what arrives is authentic, and every product passes our compliance team before it goes live. You can read how we select brands and products.

Who this collection suits

It fits you if you eat oily fish less than twice a week, if you are over 40 and want a daily basis, or if a doctor has told you to keep an eye on your blood values. Supplements work alongside movement, less salt and not smoking, never instead of them. Blood values change slowly, so plan on two to three months of daily use rather than a quick shift, and stay consistent. This goal sits under IMMUNITY + VITALITY, our pillar for everyday health. If you use blood thinners or blood pressure medication, speak to your GP before you start.