Maintaining a healthy level of antioxidants is important for all tissues, especially the heart. Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) provides important antioxidant and cardio-protective properties to the heart muscle. Research in animals demonstrates that CoQ10 promotes oxygen utilization in the heart and helps maintain a healthy myocardium. Vitamin Ehas been shown to provide additional antioxidant support.

L-Carnitine promotes cellular energy by assisting in fat burning and muscle metabolism, including in heart muscle, and L-Carnitine supplementation has been shown to improve exercise tolerance in dogs. Taurine supplementation supports heart function, especially in cats, because cats are not able to synthesize this amino acid naturally.

Magnesium and potassium are just as important to animals as these minerals are to humans. Magnesium and potassium help maintain healthy cardiac muscle contractions, which in turn helps maintain a healthy heart rhythm. Magnesium is also essential for maintaining a healthy tone in the vascular smooth muscle, thus promoting blood flow.

Quercetin has been shown in multiple animal studies to provide protection to the heart muscle, to provide beneficial antioxidant support, and to inhibit the production of inflammatory cytokines. Hawthorn flowers have been shown to support heart muscle functioning, decrease oxidative stress, and increase the force of the heart’s contractions.