Most of
us know the importance of maintaining a normal blood pressure. The
"normal" blood pressure has been defined at around 120/80 (systolic/diastolic).
Essentially, we may have to take medications to help us to lower our blood pressure within
a short period of time (for those having dangerously "high" blood
pressure). However the blood pressure medication is notoriously known for its side
effects. If you have marginally high blood pressure, it would be better to try
other methods like weight reduction, reduce salt intake, exercise and some
other nutrient supplements. But always check with your doctors before trying
the alternative methods. Below shows some of the nutrient supplements that
could help you to lower your blood pressure.
COQ10
This is a
naturally-occurring substance found in every cell of our body. It is thought to
increase energy production in the heart muscle, thereby increasing the strength
of the pumping action. This in turn helps your heart to pump more efficiently
and with less effort which in turn reduces the blood
pressure.
There have been
various studies made on COQ10 in relation to high blood pressure. The result
showed that more than half of the people were able to stop or reduce their
medication after about 4 months of COQ10
intake. Suggested intake varies but most study recommend 30mg 3 times a day to
be sufficient for most individual.
A Harvard analysis of 31 studies made a conclusion that as
intake of fish oil increases, blood pressure drops. Several other clinical
studies also have confirmed the effectiveness of fish oils in lowering high
blood pressure especially if it is combined with other programs mentioned above
(reduce salt intake, exercise etc). Fish oils help to maintain elasticity of
artery walls, it reduces blood pressure and stabilize heart rhythm.But best of all, fish oils not only reduces blood pressure,
it may make blood less sticky, an important factor which helps to prevent stroke
and heart attacks.
Potassium
Hopkins scientists have combined data from 33 previous studies and have
concluded that potassium supplements decreased blood pressure by 3.1mm Hg
systolic and 2.0mm Hg diastolic. For persons with hypertension, the reductions
were slightly better (4.4 mm Hg systolic and 2.5mm Hg diastolic). The point is
potassium supplement helps persons with normal blood pressure and potentially can help you to maintain it that way. One of the benefits of potassium is it helps
you to excrete sodium, which of course helps to reduce
blood pressure.
Magnesium helps to relax the muscles in the walls of the blood
vessels and thus helps in their elasticity. It also helps to maintain the
balance of potassium and sodium in the blood stream. When used as a supplement, the blood
pressure in an individual is also effectively reduced through the actions of
this mineral. Supplementary magnesium also helps those hypertensive patients who
are taking diuretics to control their blood pressure.
Calcium
New research is suggesting that too little of calcium or
potassium is having some impact on blood pressure. Compared with potassium or
magnesium, calcium has less impact on blood pressure. High intake of calcium to
prevent high blood pressure is not recommended. But calcium intake is still an
important element especially in conjunction with other health problems such as
osteoporosis.
Herbs are increasingly being used to control high blood
pressure. Various herbs are used. These include hawthorn, garlic, ginkgo,
dandelion etc. These herbs help to lower blood pressure through combination of
dilating our arteries, acting like mild diuretics, reducing blood cholesterol
level etc. However they should be used under the supervision of a
physician.
