NATURAL COMPOUNDS for Healthy Blood Pressure

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NATURAL COMPOUNDS for Healthy Blood Pressure

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Diet, exercise and lifestyle

changes are essential for controlling blood pressure. Specific food

supplements may also help. A large proportion of the U.S. population suffers

from

hypertension or high blood pressure. Many put themselves into this situation by

ignoring proper diet and exercise and/or creating a reality of stress for

themselves. The following are several compounds based on natural " helpers " that

are not drugs created by the drug companies and that have been able to

substantially (in many cases) reduce the problem of high blood pressure and

hypertension. Most of these can be obtained without a prescription, however,

self-treatment is not recommended (see_ Notice)_

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, so you need to check with your health care provider for your specific

situation, since there are many different factors involved with blood

pressure/hypertension, and of course each one of us is different.

 

 

PRESSURE POINTS

ITEM

DESCRIPTION

What is Blood Pressure Blood pressure is the pressure of the blood in the

arteries as the heart pumps blood throughout the body. How is Blood Pressure

Measured Blood pressure is measured in millimeters of mercury and recorded

as two (2) numbers, for example 120/80. The larger number indicates the

pressure in the arteries as the heart squeezes out blood during each beat,

called

the systolic blood pressure. The lower number indicates the pressure as the

heart relaxes before the next beat, called the dislistolic blood pressure. It's

best to measure the pressure when you are relaxed, sitting or lying down.

Why is High Blood

Pressure Unhealthy If the blood pressure remains high it can cause serious

problems such as heart attack, a stroke, heart failure or kidney dis-ease.

High pressure usually does not give warning signs. The only way to find out

whether one has high blood pressure (or any pressure for that matter) is to

have

it checked regularly. Who is At Risk

for High

Blood Pressure Blacks, Heavy (alcohol) drinkers, Middle-age and elderly,

Obese, those with diabetes mellitus, gout or kidney dis-ease. Blood

Pressures Normal: Systolic - below 130, Diastolic: below 85, example: 120/84

High Normal: Systolic - 130-139, Diastolic: 85-89, example: 135/85

Mild High: Systolic - 140-159, Diastolic: 90-99, example: 145/95

Moderate High: Systolic: 160-179, Diastolic: 100-109, example: 160/105

Severe High: Systolic: 180+, Diastolic: 110+, example: 180/115 How to

Measure

Your Pulse These are the steps for determining your pulse in the radial

artery in your wrist:

1) Stop any exercise

2) Using tips of your fingers, locate the area between your wrist bone (on

either hand) and tendon on the thumb side of either wrist. You will feel the

pulsing of the artery when you have positioned your finger properly.

3) Make sure not to press so hard on the blood vessel that the flow of blood

is obstructed.

4) Count your radial pulse for 10 seconds and then multiply by six (6) to

get your pulse rate per minute.

 

 

 

First, you should know there are several categories of hypertension drugs.

These are shown in the following chart. Secondly, most if not all of these

have been formulated by the drug companies to be taken upon a doctor's

prescription. This chart displays the basic grouping and describes what they

are

about. Some of this information may surprise you!

 

DRUG TYPE WHAT IT DOES SIDE EFFECTS Diuretics Increases kidney's

excretion of sodium, which in turn decreases the volume of blood in the

system.

Drains the body's supplies of potassium and magnesium; raises cholesterol

levels;

and makes blood platelets sticker, increasing the risk of harmful clots.

Beta Blockers Lowers blood pressure by blocking responses from beta nerve

receptors. This slows down the heartbeat and decreases the amount of blood that

the heart pumps. Impotence, fatigue, depression, and increased triglyceride

and cholesterol levels; difficulty in getting sufficient blood to the hands,

feet and brain. Calcium Channel Blockers Keeps calcium from getting into the

muscle cells of the arteries, allowing blood vessels to widen. May weaken the

heart and harm the liver.

 

Now that the above chart shows you what some of the more popular groups of

prescription drugs can do, the below chart shows a few of the Natural

Compounds that do the same or better job (in our opinion), without a

prescription.

 

NATURAL

COMPOUNDS DESCRIPTION Hawthorn Can widen blood vessels, especially the

coronary arteries. Some of the flavonoids in Hawthorn help prevent the

narrowing

of blood vessels. (*1) (See references below) Cayenne Reduces the risk of

atherosclerosis, which can lead to hypertension. Kudzu Contains a chemical

(puerarin) that has decreased blood pressure by 15 percent in lab animals (*2).

In addition, puerarin has many times the antioxidant activity of vitamin E,

thus reducing the risk of heart disease and cancer. Saffron Contains a

blood-pressure-lowering chemical called crocetin. Some researchers speculate

that

the low rate of heart disease in Spain is due to the Spaniards' high

consumption of saffron. Valerian Promotes higher levels of gamma-amino

butyric

acid (GABA) in the body. GABA helps regulate blood pressure. In addition,

valerian has sedative activity, which has a beneficial impact on blood

pressure.

Potassium Supplementation of this may be especially beneficial for

hypertensives over the age of 65 (*3). **The elderly often do not fully respond

to

blood pressure- lowering drugs, which makes the use of potassium

supplementation

an exciting possibility.** Magnesium Supplements of this may also lower

blood pressure. One double-blind study focused on 91 middle-aged and elderly

women with mild to moderately high blood pressure. They randomly received

either 480mg of magnesium asparate or a placebo each day for six months. At the

end of the study, both systolic and diastolic levels dropped significantly in

the magnesium group. (*4) Vitamin C Supplementation has exerted a modest

blood-pressure-lowering effect in people with mild hypertension. (*5) One way

vitamin C may support healthy blood pressure is by promoting the excretion of

lead, which is linked to hypertension. CoQ10 This is a nutrient that shows

promise for hypertensives and that naturally occurs in our bodies. One study

investigated 26 hypertensives who took 50mg of CoQ10 twice a day for 10

weeks. At the end of the study, systolic blood pressure had dropped from an

average of 165 to 147, and diastolic blood pressure dropped from 98 to 86.

_(*6)_

(http://www.karinya.com/nature's.htm) Garlic Garlic helps reduce cholesterol

as well as blood pressure (*7). In a 1993 study, people with high blood

pressure consumed one clove of garlic, a day for 12 weeks. At the conclusion of

the study, they demonstrated significantly lower diastolic blood pressure and

cholesterol levels. Onions These are also recommended for hypertensives. In

one study, two to three tablespoons of onion essential oil a day lowered

blood pressure in 67 percent of people with moderately high blood pressure.

Their systolic levels fell an average of 25 points and their diastolic readings

fell 15 points. Onion essential oil is not available, but you can promote

healthy blood pressure by adding more onions to your diet. Other

Compounds Fennel, oregano, black pepper, basil, and tarragon all contain

several blood-pressure-lowering compounds. Kava-Kava Kava-Kava is an herb

that's in a class by itself. Its remarkable ability to promote relaxation

without

loss in mental sharpness makes it a perfect herbal supplement for today's

too-busy-to-relax lifestyle. And it's safe! Used for thousands of years by the

Oceanic people of the South Pacific who have the reputation of being the

happiest, friendliest people in the world. Best of all, Kava-Kava is free of

the

side effects and addictive properties common to anti-anxiety drugs.

 

References: (*1) B.Havsteen, Biochem Pharm 32:1141-1148, 1982| (*2) James A.

Duke, PhD.| (*3) Michael T. Murray, N.D., Encylopedia of Nutritional

Supplements, 1996| (*4) J.C. M. Witterman, et al, American Journal of Clinical

Nutrition 60:129-135, 1994| (*5) Encyclopedia of Nutritional Supplements| (*6)

Ray

Sahelian, M.D., Coenzyme Q10: Nature's Heart Energizer, 1997| (*7) Dr. James

Duke, The Green Pharmacy, 1996| American Heart Association | National Heart

Foundation | The National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute | Mayo Clinic

Family Health Book