Vitamin E is found in avocados, nuts and vegetable oils. Since vitamin E is found in foods with a high fat content, people on low-fat diets may not eat the amount of vitamin E needed for heart disease prevention. The B-vitamins folic acid, B6 and B12 offer another shield in the battle against heart disease. They help keep homocysteine levels low. Too much homocysteine in the blood is a strong predictor of heart disease.
Folic acid is found in orange juice, dark leafy green vegetables and peanuts.
Vitamin B6 is found in bananas, tuna and nuts. Vitamin B12 is found in meats, fish, poultry and dairy products. Those at high risk may want to take a multivitamin containing these vitamins. Although nutraceuticals may be useful tools in the fight against heart disease, they work best in conjunction with a healthy diet and exercise regimen. For those who need something even more powerful in their fight, cholesterol-lowering medications are available.