Lowering Your Blood Pressure: The Options

Worried about high blood pressure -- many people are. High blood pressure is a warning sign of cardiovascular disease and with hundreds of thousands of Americans dying from heart disease each year, this is a big concern. If you're looking for ways to return to normal blood pressure or to prevent having high blood pressure in the first place, you may be interested in this natural method of controlling it.

Effects of grape seed extract

In the search for a cure to high blood pressure, UC Davis cardiovascular researchers studied the effect grape seed extract and discovered it can reduce blood pressure. In the study, researchers divided test subjects into three groups. One group received a placebo, the second group received 150 milligrams of grape seed extract and the third group received 300 milligrams.

The researchers monitored the blood pressure of each group and noted that, 'Participants in the two groups receiving grape seed extract experienced an equal degree of reduced blood pressure.' C. Tissa Kappagoda, the lead researcher also stated both groups had an average drop of 12 millimeters in systolic pressure and an 8-millimeter drop in diastolic pressure. When measuring blood pressure, systolic is the top number and diastolic is the lower number.

Professional Kappagoda is continuing to study grape seed extract and the effects it has on blood pressure.

Grape seed extract works, but why?

Grape seed is a powerful antioxidant. It not only protects you from high blood pressure, but also protects against premature aging, disease and decay. Researchers and doctors alike feel that grape seed extract works to lower your blood pressure because of these antioxidants. Studies show that grape seed extract improves blood circulation by strengthening your capillaries, arteries and veins. Healthy veins equal good blood pressure.

Grape seed extract has received the FDA's approval and gotten their GRAS (generally recognized as safe) certification from them. This means the FDA hasn't found any known side effects that you need to worry about. To get the great benefits of grape seed extract, you can buy supplements or simply eat a handful of red grapes with seeds every day. Talk to your doctor and let this natural cure become part of your fight against high blood pressure.

Posted by Henry at 3:00 AM | Permalink

Did you know if you suffer from high blood pressure there are foods you can eat that help lower it naturally? Researchers now know that diet plays an important part in keeping blood pressure normal. While you mainly hear about foods you should avoid, studies have pinpointed 4 foods that help you lower your blood pressure.

What foods affect blood pressure?

Scientists at the University of Minnesota asked this same question. In their study, published in the December 2005 American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, they reported on their study involving 4,304 black and white men and women ages 18-30 years old.

The study took place over a 15-year period. At the end of the study, researchers analyzed the diets of the test subjects and discovered those eating a diet high in vegetables, whole grains, fruit and nuts had a 36% lower rate of blood pressure. They also found four foods that lowered blood pressure naturally.

If you want to lower your blood pressure naturally, add these foods to your diet.

Eggs

Eggs, fish and chicken should be your main sources for protein. Researchers (1) say that eating eggs one to three times per week helps lower your blood pressure 11-21%.

Eggs are high in a wide variety of phytonutrients, magnesium, potassium and calcium and researchers feel this is why they help lower your blood pressure.

Celery

Eating celery should be on your diet if you have high blood pressure. Celery has a compound called 3-n-butyl phthalide proven to lower your blood pressure by 12-14%. Not only that, but it also lowered cholesterol by 7%. These statistics were seen in studies on animals, but for you to get the same results; you only need to eat 4 ribs of celery per day.

Garlic & onions

Both garlic and onions have sulfur compounds that help lower blood pressure. To get these compounds, eat all the onions and garlic you want to add flavor to your food.

When possible, it's best to treat diseases and illnesses naturally. The same is true for high blood pressure. To do this, begin by adding more fresh fruits and vegetables to your diet and cut down on the amount of meat you eat. Next, add these four foods to your diet and lower your blood pressure naturally.

(1) Toledo E, Delgado-Rodriguez M, Estruch R et al,. Low-fat dairy products and blood pressure: follow-up of 2290 older persons at high cardiovascular risk participating in the PREDIMED study. The British Journal of Nutrition. Cambridge: Jan 2009. Vol. 101, Iss. 1; pg. 59-67. 2009.

Posted by Henry at 3:00 AM | Permalink

Do you suffer from high blood pressure? If so, odds are you also eat a diet high in fructose. Scientists have discovered that people who eat a diet high in fructose increase their risk of having elevated blood pressure. Learn what foods put you at risk and are endangering your health.

What is fructose?

Fructose is a simple sugar found in honey, tree fruits, berries, melons and some vegetables. However, fructose in its natural state isn't the problem. The problem is from added sugar found in much of our food, beverages, and snacks in the form of high fructose corn syrup.

High blood pressure is a chronic condition in developed countries. With the hope of ending this dangerous health condition, scientists are studying the eating habits of people in these countries to determine the cause. According to scientists, one cause may very well be the high amount of fructose consumed each year.

Test results are in

In a study (1) conducted by the University of Colorado Denver Health Services Center, 4,528 participants, 18 years and older, answered questions about the foods and beverages they eat and drink. The scientist discovered that participants who drank 2 1/2 sugary soft drinks per day had a 26% to 77% higher risk of high blood pressure.

Scientists believe these test results suggest that eating and drinking foods high in fructose definitely links to high blood pressure.

Take action and lower your blood pressure

If these scientists are correct, lower your blood pressure simply by cutting back or eliminating high fructose corn syrup (HFCS) from your diet. To do this, you need to understand what foods contain HFCS. Unfortunately, virtually every processed and pre-packaged food contains HFCS. And according to the USDA high fructose corn syrup is the number one source of calories for Americans.

To lower your blood pressure by eating less HFCS, begin eating unprocessed foods. Eat fresh fruits and vegetables and eliminate soft drinks from your diet -- easier said than done. But it can be done.

Try using new recipes containing fresh fruits and vegetables. Cut back on eating out and eating fast food. Try simple recipes with fresh, wholesome ingredients and gradually cut back on the amount of soft drinks you drink. Not only will you see improvement and possibly have normal blood pressure once again, you'll also see an improvement in your overall health.

(1) Study performed by University of Colorado Denver Health Services Center

Posted by Henry at 3:00 AM | Permalink

Do you have high blood pressure? Do you drink three or more cups of coffee per day? Researchers in Finland say this popular drink could be one of the causes of your high blood pressure.

Good to the last drop

To many Americans, it isn't a ' good morning' until they've had their first cup of coffee. Coffee is the most popular drink in the U.S. with adults drinking over 10 pounds per year. This, in and of itself, isn't the problem. The problem is that researchers have now discovered that coffee consumption causes high blood pressure.

According to a Finnish study (1) and the researchers at the National Public Health Institute of Helsinki, Finland, (2) there is a definite link between drinking coffee and high blood pressure.

In the Finnish study, researchers tracked blood pressure of 2,985 men and 3,383 women over six and eleven years. Although they admit that the results are complicated and there need to be more studies, they report that people who don't drink coffee had a lower risk of high blood pressure than the people that drink three or more cups per day.

What's the answer?

Stop drinking coffee. You can do this relatively pain-free by gradually cutting down the number of cups of coffee you drink each day. By doing this gradually, you can avoid having 'caffeine headaches'.

Try replacing your morning cup of coffee with something healthy. Try organic tea or water. You can also try juicing. Juicing gives you a boost of energy and is healthy for you.

High blood pressure is one of the leading killers in America. If you're at risk, you need to do everything possible to return to normal blood pressure. The thought of giving up coffee may seem impossible, but it's not. It might take a while for you to adjust, but the results of not having high blood pressure are well worth it.

(1) National Public Health Study in Helsinki

(2) Link between high blood pressure and drinking coffee

Posted by Henry at 3:00 AM | Permalink