Lower Blood Pressure Naturally
It is possible to lower blood pressure with vitamins, minerals, and nutraceuticals (components of foods or dietary supplements that have medicinal or therapeutic uses). There are hundreds of studies that confirm the benefits of nutrients, herbs, and other supplements, on blood pressure. Many people (including medical professionals) are beginning to understand and embrace alternative (or non-conventional) treatments for lowering blood pressure. Let us look at some of the minerals, vitamins, and other nutrients that can help to reduce blood pressure.
MINERALS TO LOWER BLOOD PRESSURE Minerals play a vital part in many metabolic processes. Some have antioxidant effects while others are necessary for the function of vitamins, hormones, and enzymes. The importance of minerals has been increasingly recognized in recent years although their role is less known than that of vitamins. Minerals required by the human body include potassium, calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, iron, iodine, and sodium. Let us look at those minerals that contribute to reducing blood pressure.
POTASSIUM Potassium is the third most abundant element in the body with most of it residing inside the body's cells. It has several duties in the body, including helping the muscles and nervous system work properly. It also works with sodium and chloride to distribute fluids properly throughout the body. Numerous clinical studies have demonstrated that blood pressure falls when dietary potassium is increased. A high potassium intake reduces the blood pressure most effectively in people who are consuming large amounts of sodium, or have salt-sensitive hypertension. This is because of the link between potassium and sodium. The two work in opposition to each other, within the body. This means that these two minerals must be balanced in the body, in order to lower blood pressure. Too much sodium compared to potassium can cause hypertension, while too little sodium compared to potassium can cause low blood pressure. The average Western diet has a potassium-to-sodium ratio of 1:3. That is, for each unit of potassium consumed, three units of sodium are consumed. The ratio should be the other way around. For persons who suffer with hypertension, supplementing with 2,400 to 4,800 mg of potassium per day can lead to lower blood pressure. The amount of potassium supplement required by each individual depends on the amount they get form their food. So if you consume foods high in potassium, you may not need as much as 4,800 mg. Potassium is found in a number of foods including green leafy vegetables, nuts, papayas, dates, bananas, cantaloupes, guavas, and oranges. If you are not consuming enough of these foods and you have high blood pressure, you may want to take a potassium supplement.
CALCIUM Calcium is present in significant amounts in the human body and is almost entirely concentrated in the bones and teeth. Calcium is vital for the growth and maintenance of muscle contraction, and the function of certain enzyme systems. Additionally, calcium helps to keep the heart beating regularly. Researchers noted that people who consume more calcium in their diet, were more likely to have lower blood pressure than those who consume less calcium. In fact, people who consume greater than 800mg of calcium per day have a 23% lower risk of developing hypertension, compared to those consuming less than 400mg per day. It was found that calcium supplements were more effective in lowering blood pressure in certain groups of persons with hypertension, namely persons of African descent, the elderly, pregnant women, people with salt sensitive hypertension, and those with Type II diabetes. If you suffer with high blood pressure, increase your intake of calcium-containing foods. Foods rich in calcium include milk, yogurt, cheese, canned salmon or sardines with bones, almonds, cantaloupes, and broccoli. Now, choose your food wisely... be careful of the salt content in canned foods (read the labels) and if you have kidney problems, use dairy products in moderation. If you are not able to get enough calcium from your foods, a good calcium supplement will help. A calcium intake of 1,000mg to 1,500mg per day should be sufficient. Try to get most of your daily calcium requirement from foods and use a supplement to make up for any deficiency.
MAGNESIUM The body uses magnesium to manufacture protein and to also convert protein, fat, and carbohydrates into energy. It also helps to detoxify the body and keep the blood from clotting unnecessarily. Magnesium also helps to regulate the amount of sodium, calcium, and potassium found within the cells. Many studies show that when more magnesium is consumed in the form of food, it helps to lower blood pressure. Magnesium can be found in a number of foods, including peas, beans, whole grain breads, avocados, dry-roasted almonds, lima beans, dark green vegetables, nuts, and seafood. Magnesium supplements can also be beneficial. Studies show that a magnesium supplement of 500mg per day can significantly lower blood pressure. It is likely to be more valuable, however, when consumed with calcium and potassium, rather than as a stand-alone supplement.
VITAMINS TO LOWER BLOOD PRESSURE Let us now turn our attention to some of the vitamins that help to reduce blood pressure. Vitamins are a group of organic substances that are required in our diet to maintain good health.
VITAMIN D Vitamin D is sometimes called the "sunshine vitamin" because it can be manufactured in the skin when the body is exposed to sunlight. It is necessary for healthy bones, muscles, and cells. It also helps the body to absorb and use phosphorus and calcium. Some studies show that when the amount of vitamin D drops too far, the blood pressure rises... and so does the LDL ("bad") cholesterol. It affects the body's ability to clear fat from the blood following a fatty meal. Caution: The body tends to hang on to vitamin D since it is stored in fat tissue, so don't take more than the recommended amount without
consulting your physician. People with normal exposure to the sun
manufacture enough storable vitamin D, in addition to that obtained from food.
In high doses, vitamin D can have toxic effects. If you believe you have a
vitamin D deficiency but you are not sure if to take a supplement, consult your
doctor. In any event, you should not consume more than 400 IU per day
(including that received from sunlight and food).
VITAMIN C Vitamin C plays a vital role in the maintenance of cell walls and connective tissue and so is essential for the health of blood vessels, skin, cartilage, tendons, ligaments, and all the body's lining surfaces. It promotes the uptake and absorption of iron and is crucially involved in effective operation of the immune system. It also helps to fight off certain types of cancer. Consumption of adequate amounts of calcium everyday, helps to
lower blood pressure and heart rate. The greater the quantity of vitamin C
consumed, the lower the risk of cardiovascular disease, coronary heart disease,
and stroke. A vitamin C supplement of 250 to 500 mg twice a day is recommended. The best sources of vitamin C are fresh fruits and vegetables, including papayas, guavas, red peppers, cantaloupes, black currants, green peppers, oranges, broccoli, cauliflower, and asparagus.
VITAMIN B6 Studies have shown that low levels of B6 in the blood are linked to hypertension. Taking vitamin B6 supplements can help to lower blood pressure by almost 10% in some cases. That's because vitamin B6 has multiple anti-hypertensive effects that are similar to diuretics. Vitamin B6 helps the body extract energy from carbohydrates, proteins, and fats. It is also necessary for the production of hemoglobin, neurotransmitters, and hormones. It helps to convert amino acids into carbohydrates and may also help relieve the symptoms of premenstrual syndrome, carpal tunnel syndrome, and certain mood disorders. Vitamin B6 can be found in avocados, beef liver, bananas, chicken, smoked salmon, red snapper, wheat germ, corn, and yogurt. A daily intake of 100 to 200 mg should be adequate.
VITAMIN E Vitamin E is another vitamin that has been linked to lower blood pressure. Studies show that persons with hypertension have significantly lower levels of vitamin E in their plasma and cells, compared to persons with normal blood pressure. Vitamin E helps to protect the vascular system and other organs that are typically harmed by elevated blood pressure. It is also a powerful antioxidant. Vitamin E is found in leafy green vegetables, whole grains, wheat germ, nuts, liver, butter, and egg yolk. A daily supplement of 400 to 800 IU should be adequate for the needs of the body.
NUTRACEUTICALS TO LOWER BLOOD PRESSURE Nutraceuticals are components of foods or dietary supplements that have medicinal or therapeutic uses. We will look at some of the common, yet potent, nutraceuticals that help to lower blood pressure.
PROTEIN As a guide, daily protein intake should be 1.0 to 1.2 grams per kilogram of body weight. For example, if you weigh 150 pounds, a daily protein intake works out to approximately 68 to 82 grams. Another way to look at this is: Protein should account for 30% of total calories consumed on a daily basis. Remember that non-animal protein is best.
OMEGA-3 POLYUNSATURATED FATTY ACIDS Studies have shown that omega-3 fatty acids can help to lower blood pressure in people with mild hypertension. It is the best kind of fat that can help reduce blood pressure the most and improve overall health. The best source of omega-3 is fish (or fish oil) but other non-fish sources include green soybeans, butternuts, green leafy vegetables, flaxseed oil, canola oil, walnuts, and Brazil nuts. Other benefits of omega3s include:
The protective effect of omega-3s has been documented in many studies. A daily intake of 3 to 4 grams of omega-3 is recommended.
OLIVE OIL Olive oil is rich in monounsaturated fatty acids such as omega-9 fatty acid, and contains some polyunsaturated fatty acids as well. Monounsaturated fatty acids helps to keep the arteries dilated, help combat the ill effects of oxidation, and improve the function of the vascular system. This is probably why people living in Greece, Italy, and surrounding countries who consume Mediterranean diet, have fewer problems with hypertension and heart disease. Olive oil is used extensively in many Mediterranean recipes. An average of 4 table-spoons of extra virgin olive oil per day is recommended.
CELERY Celery contains a substance called apigenin, which, among other things, helps to lower blood pressure. It also acts like a diuretic, helping to rid the body of excess fluid, thereby, helping to reduce blood pressure. A daily consumption of 3 to 4 celery stalks per day is recommended (juicing is recommended). Alternatively, you can use 8 teaspoons of celery juice 3 times a day, 1,000 mg of celery seed extract twice a day, or 1 teaspoon of celery oil 3 times a day.
GARLIC Garlic has been used as a health aid for a very long time. More recently, garlic has gained recognition for its ability to lower blood pressure in people with hypertension. It contains several substances that allow it to help the body keep the arteries dilated, thus reducing vascular resistance and blood pressure. A daily intake of 4 cloves or 4 grams of garlic is recommended. Alternatively, a good garlic supplement can also be very beneficial.
FIBER Fiber is known for its ability to lower cholesterol and improve bowel function, but it can also help to lower blood pressure. Fiber fights hypertension by improving vascular function, helps the body to excrete sodium via the urine, improve insulin sensitivity, and decreases the sympathetic nervous system activity that can increase blood pressure. A daily intake of 60 grams of oatmeal, or 40 grams of oat bran can provide sufficient fiber for the body. ***** We have outlined (above) many substances that can help to reduce blood pressure naturally. There are others but these should be sufficient to get you started on the road to lower blood pressure. However you choose to combat this deadly disease, please be sure to consult with your health care provider and monitor your blood pressure regularly.
______________________________________________ Return from Lower Blood Pressure to High Blood Pressure
Return from Lower Blood Pressure to Comprehensive Kidney Facts |