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Superoxide Dismutase (SOD) will not help the heart.  SOD is felt to pre- vent oxygen-related dam- age to the body's cells.  It has been studied to exam- ine its potential role in pre- venting or decreasing heart muscle damage in the set- ting of a heart attack (66,67).  To date, the data does not support its use and it is important to rec- ognize that SOD cannot be absorbed if taken oral- ly.  SOD can only be administered by injection. Therefore, SOD does not appear to be useful for the prevention of CHD. DHEA won't soothe the heart.  Produced by the adrenal glands, dehy- droepiandrosterone (DHEA), is the most abun- dant steroid in the human body.  Levels peak at approximately age 30 and decrease to 5 -15 percent of those levels by age 60 (68). DHEA levels within the blood stream have been demonstrated to be low in men with CHD (69). However, supplementation as a means of reducing the risk of CHD, has not been studied.  Therefore, the link cannot be drawn that by raising blood levels of DHEA one may actually decrease their risk of heart disease.  It is also and magnesium supple- mentation has been found to be useful in regulating blood pressure and poten- tially treating mild to mod- erate hypertension (73- 76). A dose of 600-1000 mg of elemental magne- sium has been used for patients with mild to mod- erate hypertension (73,74).  Other trials have suggested little benefit to magnesium supplementa- tion on treating hyperten- sion (77).  Keep in mind that magnesium  supple- mentation should be avoided in individuals with renal insufficiency, which may lead to dangerously high levels of magnesium. Coenzyme Q-10 may aid in the relief of angina. This supplement is both a potent antioxidant and cofactor in the formation of energy within the body's cells.  It has been advo- cated in cardiovascular disease as an aid to the treatment of congestive heart failure, hypertension and CHD.  With regard to the later, coenzyme Q-10 may play a role in reduc- ing the frequency of angi- na (78).  Research is limit- ed and more needs to be done before its use can be unequivocally accepted. No specific dose has been identified; however, 200 to important to recognize that while DHEA has been shown to lower triglyceride levels, it has also been demonstrated to reduce HDL levels, the "good cholesterol" (70). Finally, supplementation with this hormone may actually be harmful by potentially promot- ing hormone sensitive tumors and altering the body's own natural hormone cycle.  The bottom line-DHEA is best avoided for the prevention of heart disease until further studies have been performed. Magnesium may reduce heart pains (also known as angina). This essential ele- ment is found mainly in bone, but it is also important in the function of every other cell in the body.  Magnesium plays a key role in energy formation within the cell, as well as playing a part in over 300 cel- lular processes. It is not sur- prising that magnesium sup- plementation is suggested for many medical conditions including heart-related ail- ments.  The intravenous form has been extensively studied for its role in the immediate stages of a heart attack (71). In its role as a preventative agent, oral magnesium has been supported in some research to reduce the fre- quency of angina (72).  As previously mentioned, hyper- tension is a major risk factor for the development of CHD

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