| Cardiovascular diseases (diseases of the heart or blood vessels) are the number one cause of death in the United States. Several complementary health approaches have been studied to see whether they might help to control risk factors for cardiovascular disease, such as high blood cholesterol and high blood pressure. Several dietary supplements, such as garlic and soy, may have beneficial effects on cholesterol, but their effects are small compared to those of cholesterol-lowering medicines. And theres promising evidence that some psychological and physical complementary approaches, including meditation, tai chi, qi gong, and yoga, as well as dietary supplements such as garlic, fish oil, and flaxseed, may have small beneficial effects on blood pressure. | 