High Blood Pressure or Hypertension
This disease characterized by the chronic elevation of the force that blood exerts on the walls of arteries and veins as it is pumped through the body. Regulated by your body through a complex system involving the heart, bloods vessels, brain, kidneys, and adrenal glands, blood pressure fluctuates virtually from moment to moment, tending to increase temporarily in response to stress and physical exertion.
A blood pressure reading of 120 (systolic) over 80 (diastolic)–120/80 mm Hg–or less is considered normal. Hypertension is usually defined as blood pressure that averages 140/90 or higher in at least three separate readings.
HELPFUL SUPPLEMENTS
- CALCIUM AND MAGNESIUM supplements and lifestyle changes may be enough to lower mildly elevated blood pressure. Both minerals have positive effects on the contraction and functioning of blood vessels. Magnesium also maintains the balance between potassium and sodium in the blood, and acts as a smooth muscle relaxant. (Potassium, too, plays a role in lowering blood pressure, but as long as you eat enough fruits and vegetables, potassium supplements aren’t usually necessary.) Do not use magnesium supplements if you have kidney disease.
- VITAMIN C AND HAWTHORN. If your blood pressure does not improve after a month of taking calcium and magnesium, maintain your lifestyle changes and add vitamin C and hawthorn, both of which help widen blood vessels.
- GARLIC also widens blood vessels, helping the blood circulate. Garlic makes blood platelets less likely to stick to artery walls, discouraging plaque development.
- COENZYME Ql0 taken in addition to VITAMIN C, HAWTHORN, AND GARLIC. Studies show CoQ10 is lacking in many people who have high blood pressure.
- ESSENTIAL FATTY ACIDS help improve circulation,
- TAURINE AND ARGININE (along with a mixed amino add complex) Taurine seems to normalize the increased nervous system activity associated with hypertension, while arginine may help widen blood vessels.
