Blood
Pressure Supplement Guide
Hawthorn
is the herb to use if you have blood pressure problems (either
high or low), or other heart and circulation problems. It
can also be used for such conditions as Congestive Heart
Failure, Stable Angina and recovery following Myocardial
Infarction. It is a herb that helps fortify and dilate blood
vessels, improving the flow of blood, oxygen, and other
essential nutrients throughout your body.
Hawthorn
leaves and flowers contain concentrated amounts of flavonoids
which act on the cardiovascular system. Studies have shown
these extracts help in many ways:
*increases contractility of the myocardium (heart muscle)
*reduces peripheral vascular resistance
*increase in cardiac output and increases cardiac performance
*increase in coronary blood flow through arteries
*balances blood pressure, so if it is either high or low,
the hawthorn will help to bring it back to normal.
*improves circulation to the extremities by lowering the
resistance in the arteries
*potent antioxidant - counteracts the damaging effects of
free radicals on the cardiovascular system
Hawthorn
has been used successfully to treat the early stages of
Congestive Heart Failure. People in the early stages may
not require stronger heart medications, because herbal and
nutrient interventions like hawthorn and Co-enzyme Q10 are
often enough to keep the condition under control and slow
progression. Hawthorn has been proven to favour comparably
to the heart drug Captopril.
Some
Hawthorn formulas are available in Combinations with other
nutrients, and some nutrients are taken separately for maintaining
normal blood pressure and enhancing vascular health and
supporting the strength and tone of your veins and arteries
for maximum circulatory system health. Following is an outline
of the most useful nutrients for blood pressure maintenance
:
Cayenne
is useful to aid circulation, and has a positive
effect on blood fats. It can help reduce blood triglycerides
and LDL cholesterol. Cayenne is also anti-inflammatory,
so can help reduce pains associated with headaches and arthritis.
Lecithin
also helps with circulation and is a fat emulsifier,
so may help break down any fatty deposits in the blood.
Lecithin supports liver function, which is in charge of
processing cholesterol. Many studies have shown lecithin's
ability to lower cholesterol, and increase HDL's. It is
also useful to lower homocysteine concentrations, which
are a risk factor for cardiovascular disease.
Vitamin
D and Calcium - Taking a vitamin D supplement along
with calcium may be a more effective way for older women
to lower their blood pressure than taking calcium alone.
In
a study of women who were at least 70 years old, those who
took calcium and vitamin D
-
reduced
their systolic blood pressure,
-
lowered
their heart rates
-
and
reduced levels of parathyroid hormone
more
than women who were treated with calcium alone.
After
8 weeks, 81% of women taking both nutrients
reduced their systolic blood pressure by at least 5 mm/Hg,
compared with 47% of women taking only
calcium.
Systolic
pressure, the top number in a blood pressure reading, measures
pressure when the heart contracts.
The
researchers explain that vitamin D is used by the parathyroid
glands, four pea-sized structures that sit on the thyroid
gland in the neck. These glands secrete a hormone that regulates
the body's calcium levels .
Calcium,
in turn, helps to regulate blood pressure, although the
mechanism is not completely understood.
Journal
of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism 2001; 86: 1633-1637
Good
Health Lo-Chol - a blend of garlic and antioxidants
that decreases plasma viscosity, promotes elastic artery
walls, and improves blood circulation. Great for cholesterol.
Magnesium Chelate - an essential mineral
for regulating calcium levels in your body tissue, which
is directly related to blood pressure health. Promotes arterial
elasticity for proper blood flow and aids in sodium excretion
to help your body maintain the proper water balance. Research
overwhelmingly demonstrates the critical link between sufficient
magnesium levels and normal heart function. Magnesium regulates
cellular intake of calcium in your heart muscle cells and
other body tissues. This helps maintain healthy blood pressure
and increase heart efficiency.
Magnesium
Chelate provides:
* Safe, natural support for normal blood pressure levels,
with no side effects.
* Regulation of cellular sodium and potassium levels, resulting
in effective energy production.
*Nutrients to help maintain regular heart rhythm.
* Extra nutritional support when taken with coenzyme Q10
and L-carnitine, for healthy blood pressure levels.
CoQ10
- a potent antioxidant that provides critical
nutrients to keep your heart pumping efficiently, helping
maintain normal blood pressure. It energises each cell from
within to work more efficiently, so collectively these cells
ensure your whole body becomes energised, with oxygenated
blood pumping through it.
Garlic
- Helps improve circulation by "thinning" your
blood for better flow. Garlic also aids in maintaining arterial
elasticity by stimulating your body's production of nitric
oxide, a natural muscle relaxant.
Grape
Seed Extract - Protects against free radical oxidation
to help maintain the health of your arteries. Contains OPCs,
strong antioxidants that bind to arterial collagen to stabilize
and strengthen your blood vessels. Read more>
Coleus
- Promotes stronger heart muscle contraction and
the relaxation of your blood vessels, for healthy blood
pressure levels.
Chromium
- Mediates your insulin metabolism to help maintain
normal blood glucose levels. Chromium is also vital for
the metabolism of fat, proteins, and carbohydrates.
Potassium
- plays a key role in many of the body's functions.
However, its responsibility for the regulation of nutrients
to the cells and stabilizing blood pressure may be the most
compelling. Potassium aids clear thinking by sending oxygen
to the brain, helps dispose of body wastes, and aids in
the treatment of allergies. If you drink large amounts of
coffee, you might find that the fatigue you're fighting
is due to a loss of potassium. Heavy alcohol and sugar consumption
are also counterproductive to manufacturing a healthy potassium
level.
*
For a healthy nervous system and heart rhythm.
* Important for a healthy nervous system and heart rhythm
* Maximum absorption formula
* Promote clear thinking
No
Flush Niacin - Maintain normal LDL cholesterol
without any "niacin flush." The benefits of niacin
without the hot, flushed feeling. NiaSafe-600, loaded with
vitamin B-based support for your heart, provides the benefits
of niacin without the hot, flushed feeling.
* Support in dilating blood vessels and increasing blood
flow, for proper blood pressure levels.
* Potent antioxidant protection for overall cardiovascular
health.
* Nutritional support to help your body promote an optimal
balance between HDL cholesterol and LDL cholesterol levels.
Combining
these heart-healthy nutrients in a sensible program gives
you a natural way to help maintain normal blood pressure
levels, promote proper circulation, and support overall
cardiovascular health.
(some
info adapted from http://in.geocities.com/healthrevolution/mall/hypertension.htm
)
Lifestyle
Changes To Reduce Blood Pressure
In
addition to supplementation, there are many lifestyle changes
that will significantly affect your blood pressure. Unfortunately
there is no single blood pressure reducing therapy - you
have to be vigilant and tackle the problem from all aspects
of your life. Following multiple strategies will enhance
the effects of the supplements, and your blood pressure
problems should reduce.
•
Lose Weight
Even
modest weight loss can lead to long-term reduction in blood
pressure . A recent US study testing this showed the following
results:
Overall,
participants in the weight-loss group shed kilos, while
those in the control group gained weight. At 6, 18 and 36
months after the study began, blood pressure was significantly
lower in the weight-loss group than in the control group.
In
the one-fifth of people who lost the most weight, diastolic
blood pressure and systolic blood pressure dropped an average
of 7 and 5 points, respectively. In contrast, diastolic
pressure dropped only 0.7 points and systolic pressure rose
2.5 points in those in the bottom one-fifth of weight loss
group.
The
researchers also report that people in the weight-loss group
were less likely to develop high blood pressure .
But
the drop in high blood pressure disappeared when participants
regained the weight they had lost, the report indicates.
In people who lost weight only to regain it, blood pressure
readings crept back up to nearly the same level as they
had been before they lost weight.
The
results of the study leave no doubt that weight reduction
is a worthwhile objective for people whose body weight is
higher than ideal; whose blood pressure is already high;
who are at risk for hypertension. (www.mercola.com)
•
Follow a sensible and healthy diet
The
primary treatment for hypertension is having a person make
optimal
food choices . Sugar, as well as grains, which convert
to sugar are the primary mechanism that causes insulin to
be released and it is the high insulin levels that are the
major factor in elevation of blood pressure.
Reduce
saturated fats, such as takeaways and excess red meat. Be
wary of low-fat products as they frequently have artificial
sweeteners and extra salt to make up for the reduction in
fat.
Eat
unlimited green and coloured vegetables, and up to three
pieces of fruit daily.
Increase
the quantity of fish you eat, especially oily fish such
as salmon.
•
Reduce stress, and increase exercise
Stress
is the other major mechanism that greatly affects blood
pressure. Take a look at your lifestyle and work and assess
whether it is the cause of your problem. Make adjustments
as required to reduce your stress.
Exercise
is important for all health outcomes, and blood pressure
is no exception. If you currently do little exercise, try
taking a walk around the neighbourhood 2 or 3 times a week.
This gets the blood pumping better and carries nutrients
around the body. There is plenty of evidence proving that
moderate exercise is beneficial in this area.
•
Stop smoking
This
is the most important action you can take for ANY health
condition. If you smoke, it counters all the good effects
the supplements and the lifestyle changes about are making
in your body. There is plenty of information about how smoking
damages cells in the heart and arteries, so it is unnecessary
to go into details here, but realise that smoking is one
of the most detrimental things you can do to your body and
that stopping will have a fabulous effect on your blood
pressure.
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