by Decker Weiss, ND, Naturopathic Cardiologist
Regulating Blood Pressure Naturally
High blood pressure (also known as hypertension) affects
about 65 million Americans, or about one in three
adults. There are many potential causes of hypertension,
but not necessarily any symptoms. In fact, 30 percent of
the people who have high blood pressure don't even realize it.
But make no mistake about it: high blood pressure is dangerous.
It is the number one modifiable cause of stroke. Lowering
your blood pressure reduces the chance of stroke by 35
to 40 percent.
Of course, changing blood pressure numbers depends, in
a large part, on the choices we make everyday—how much we
exercise, the foods we eat, and our lifestyle overall. But, for
those times we need extra help, there is a new, scientifically
studied supplement to help us along our path to better health
and lower blood pressure.
Blood Pressure Defined
When blood pressure numbers are written out, as in “120/80,”
120 is the systolic pressure (pressure of the heart beating) and
80 is the diastolic pressure (pressure of the heart and vessels
filling with blood). Normal blood pressure is now considered
to be a systolic pressure under 120, and a diastolic pressure
under 80. If your numbers are consistently higher than these
after multiple visits to your healthcare practitioner, you may
have either pre-hypertension or high blood pressure.
Preventing High Blood Pressure
The reasons for hypertension aren't always clear. However,
there are lifestyle factors that contribute to high blood pressure
that you can change:
- Weight Loss: increase your lean muscle mass and lose the fat, especially the fat around your middle
- Exercise: hearts in bodies that get regular exercise stay healthy and fit, just like any other muscle
- Salt: try to reduce your salt intake, and if you use salt in cooking, use healthier sea salt or Celtic salt
- Alcohol and tobacco use: moderate your alcohol intake, and if you smoke—stop.
Lowering Blood Pressure, Naturally
Dandelion leaf extract, lycopene, stevia extract, olive leaf extract
and hawthorn extract are scientifically and clinically studied
natural ingredients that lower high blood pressure separately,
and work even better when they're combined. Stevia and
olive leaf have been shown in scientific studies to lower blood
pressure, hawthorn helps keep blood vessels flexible and elastic,
dandelion (a diuretic) lowers blood pressure by encouraging
the body to release excess water, and the antioxidant,
lycopene, helps lower cholesterol and homocysteine levels and
reduce your risk of heart attack. Every one of these ingredients
has been studied and recommended for years.
In a small pilot study, 100 percent of participants taking
the combination of nutrients listed above in a product called
BP Manager by Enzymatic Therapy, Inc., showed lower blood
pressure numbers in systolic and diastolic readings.some after
only two weeks of use, with best results after eight weeks
of use. The mean systolic blood pressure decreased 12 percent,
while diastolic blood pressure decreased six percent. The
greatest reductions were a systolic blood pressure reduction
of 20 mm/Hg, and a diastolic blood pressure reduction of 10
mm/Hg. Although the study was small, the results were statistically
significant. Additionally, none of the participants experienced
discomfort or side effects.
Getting Started on Lower Blood Pressure
Many patients come to me for guidance on reducing or eliminating
their use of prescription medications to lower blood
pressure. Often this is due to side effects from the
drugs that make them difficult to tolerate, including
dizziness, dry mouth, headaches, and constipation.
Some types of blood pressure drugs can cause erectile
dysfunction (impotence) in men.
It is very important to never just stop taking a drug
without consulting your doctor. There may be more
than one reason why the drug was prescribed, and
abruptly stopping use could endanger your health. As
a naturopathic physician and expert on heart disease,
I truly believe that high blood pressure, especially mild
increases in blood pressure, should first be treated
with lifestyle changes, healthy diets, and appropriate
nutritional supplements. While I applaud anyone who
is willing to make the changes necessary to reduce
or avoid the use of prescription medications, I also
encourage you to make your doctor your partner in
achieving your healthcare goals.
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