Carnitine is a type of amino acid, which is synthesized in the kidneys and liver and stored in the heart, skeletal muscles and brain. It plays an important role in metabolism. In patients of congestive heart failure, carnitine improves exercise endurance. People with congestive heart failure can take 1 to 3 grams of L-carnitine per day. Rarely, carnitine supplements might cause diarrhea, rashes and body odor.

People with congestive heart failure have low creatine levels in the heart cells. Supplements with creatine boosts their physical performance. Creatine supplements are usually safe. To improve absorption of the amino acid, the supplement should be taken with carbohydrates.

Magnesium is needed for maintaining the normal rhythm of the heart. It can prevent arrhythmia or abnormal heart rhythm in people with congestive heart failure. By improving the heart function, magnesium supplements can reduce the mortality rate in patients of congestive heart failure. Magnesium deficiency rarely occurs by consuming a balanced diet containing sufficient amount of green vegetables, whole grains and nuts. When taken in recommended doses, magnesium supplements rarely causes adverse effects. These supplements are not recommended for people with kidney problems.

Yoga can improve the cardiovascular health of people with congestive heart failure. The different poses of yoga combine physical exercises with breathing exercises. If joint stiffness, arthritis or other physical ailments limit movements needed for practicing yoga poses, congestive heart failure patients can try only deep breathing exercises or meditation. By reducing the blood pressure temporarily and decreasing the stress hormones level, the breathing exercises help to improve the symptoms of heart failure.

Berberine is an alkaloid found in several plants especially goldenseal, barberry, Oregon grape, goldenthread and tree turmeric. Scientific studies suggest that this plant alkaloid can improve the quality of life and reduce the mortality rate in congestive heart failure patients. When taken along with the standard medications, berberine helps to improve the effectiveness of these drugs. It improves the exercise endurance and reduces fatigue. There has been no adverse report of berberine intake.

Supplements with fish oil may benefit people suffering from congestive heart failure. Clinical trials have shown that fish oil supplements can increase the heart function and improve the exercise capacity in heart failure patients. Moreover, combining fish oil supplements with traditional drugs helps to reduce the hospitalization rate. Although the exact cellular pathway through which fish oil improves the functioning of the heart is unclear, scientists speculate that the omega-3 fats in fish oil boost the metabolism of the heart. Congestive heart failure patients can consume 500 mg of fish oil or omega-3 fatty acids daily.

Arginine or L-arginine is an amino acid that assists nitric oxide production. Nitric oxide aids dilation of blood vessels. This important property of arginine helps to improve physical fitness and exercise capacity, which is severely impaired due to endothelial dysfunction in congestive heart failure patients. Arginine is considered safe. Occasionally, it can cause stomach upset, bloating, indigestion, nausea and headache. Arginine supplements are not recommended for people prone to asthma and herpes.

Active components in hawthorn, namely quercetin and oligomeric procyandins, promote vasodilation and prevent vasoconstriction. These actions help to improve the pumping function of the heart. The effect of hawthorn on congestive heart failure is comparable to the activities of ACE inhibitors. Hawthorn supplements are regarded safe. Regular consumption of 160 to 900 mg of hawthorn extract, at least for six weeks, reduces fatigue, palpitation and breathing problem in people suffering from congestive heart failure. Hawthorn might interact with digitalis and related cardiovascular drugs. People on these medications should take hawthorn under medical supervision.

Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10), commonly known as unbiquinone, is a nutrient found throughout the body. It supports the metabolic processes of the body. Due to the high energy requirement of the heart muscles, large amounts of CoQ10 are concentrated in the cells of the heart muscles. Deficiency of CoQ10 is believed to be an important factor in progression of congestive heart failure. Clinical trials with CoQ10 suggest that combining CoQ10 supplements with conventional congestive heart failure medications such ACE inhibitors, diuretics and digitalis preparations can significantly improve the outcome of the treatment. It improves the cardiac output, ejection fraction, and reduces fatigue, palpitation and chest pain. People diagnosed with congestive heart failure can take 100 to 200 mg of CoQ10 daily. There is no adverse side effect of CoQ10 intake.