Blood Pressure

DISORDERS

(Their description, characteristics or symptoms,

causes, and complementary or alternative treatments)

Disorder: HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE (HYPERTENSION)

Description: When the heart pumps blood through the arteries, the blood presses against the walls of the blood vessels. In people who suffer from hypertension, this pressure is abnormally high, and the heart must work harder to pump an adequate amount of blood to all the tissues of the body. Blood pressure is represented by two numbers. The first number, systolic pressure, is the pressure exerted by the blood when the heart beats, forcing blood into the blood vessels. This reading indicates blood pressure at its highest. The second reading, diastolic pressure, is recorded when the heart is at rest in between beats, when the blood pressure is at its lowest. The combined reading is then expressed as a ratio of systolic blood pressure to diastolic blood pressure. In general, a blood pressure reading of 120/80 is considered normal; a reading of 138/88 is considered borderline; a reading of 140/90 or higher is considered hypertension. High blood pressure is often associated with stroke, heart disease, kidney disorders, obesity, and diabetes.

Symptoms: Known as the " silent killer," high blood pressure itself usually causes no symptoms but it sets the stage for a heart attack or stroke. Warning signs associated with advanced hypertension may include headaches, sweating, rapid pulse, shortness of breath, dizziness, and visual disturbances.

Incidence: An estimated 50 million Americans have high blood pressure. According to the U.S. Public Health Service, hypertension affects more than half of all Americans over the age of sixty-five.

Causes: Blood pressure is usually divided into two categories, designated primary and secondary. Primary hypertension is high blood pressure that is not due to another underlying disease. Although the cause is unknown, a number of risk factors have been identified, including smoking, stress, obesity, excessive use of stimulants such as coffee or tea, drug or alcohol abuse, high sodium intake, and the use of oral contraceptives. Secondary hypertension is high blood pressure resulting from an underlying disease such as a hormonal abnormality or an inherited narrowing of the aorta, arteriosclerosis, or poor kidney function which results in the retention of excess sodium and fluid in the body.

Treatments: Home testing with a blood pressure monitoring device is recommended to assist in collaborating with your health care provider in controlling high blood pressure. The following nutrients, together with diet and lifestyle modifications, can provide beneficial control.

Nutrients:

Supplement Dosage Comments

Calcium	1500-3000 mg. daily	Deficiencies have been linked to high blood pressure.
Magnesium	750 – 1,000 mg. daily
Garlic	2 capsules 3 times daily	Effective in lowering blood pressure.
L-Carnitine	500 mg. twice daily, on an empty stomach.	Transports long fatty acid chains. Together with L-glutamic acid and L-glutamine, aids in preventing heart disease.
L-glutamic acid and L-glutamine	500 mg. each daily, on an empty stomach. Take with water or juice, not with milk. Take with 50 mg. vitamin B6 and 100 mg. vitamin C for better absorption.	To detoxify ammonia and aid in preventing heart disease.
Selenium	200 mcg. daily	Deficiency has been linked to heart disease.
Coenzyme Q10	100 mg. daily.	Improves heart function and lowers blood pressure.
Essential fatty acids (black current seed oil, flaxseed oil, olive oil, and primrose oil are good sources.)	As directed on label.	Important for circulation and for lowering blood pressure.
Vitamin C	3000-6000 mg. daily in divided doses.	Improves adrenal function; reduces blood-clotting tendencies.
Lecithin granules or capsules or lipotropic factors	1 tbsp. 3 times daily or 1200 mg. capsules 3 times daily (both before meals). As directed on label.	to emulsify fat, improving liver function and lowering blood pressure.
Vitamin E	Start with 100 IU daily and add 100 IU daily each month until you reach 400 IU daily.	Improves heart function. Use emulsion form for easier assimilation and greater safety at high doses.

Herbs:

	Use cayenne (capsicum), chamomile, fennel, hawthorn berries, parsley, and rosemary for high blood pressure. (Caution: If you are allergic to ragweed, avoid chamomile.)
	Hops and valerian root are good for calming the nerves.
	Drink 3 cups of suma tea daily.
	Avoid the herbs ephedra (ma huang) and licorice, as these herbs can elevate blood pressure.

Recommendations:

	Follow a salt-free diet. Read labels carefully and avoid food products that have "salt," "soda," "sodium" or the symbol "Na" on the label. Some foods and food additives that should be avoided on a salt-free diet include monosodium glutamate (Accent, MSG); baking soda, canned vegetables (unless marked sodium-free) over-the-counter medications that contain ibuprofen (such as Advil or Nuprin); diet soft drinks; preservatives, and sugar substitutes; meat tenderizers; softened water; and soy sauce.
	If you are overweight, take steps to lose the excess pounds.
	Get regular light to moderate exercise. (Always consult with your doctor before beginning a new exercise program.)
	Have your blood pressure checked at least every four to six months. Regular blood pressure checks by a professional are important, especially if you are in a high-risk category.
	If you are pregnant, have your blood pressure checked regularly.
	Avoid stress as much as possible.
	Be sure to get sufficient sleep.

Include the following in your diet:

	Plenty of fruits and vegetables, such as applies, asparagus, bananas, broccoli, cabbage, cantaloupe, eggplant, garlic, grapefruit, green leafy vegetables, melons, peas, prunes, raisins, squash and sweet potatoes.
	Plenty of fiber and supplemental fiber. Oat bran is a good source of fiber. Note: Always take supplemental fiber separately from other supplements and medications.
	The following fresh juices: beet, carrot and celery, currant, cranberry, and citrus fruit.
	Grains, such as brown rice, buckwheat, and oats.
	Distilled water.
	Take 2 tablespoons of flaxseed oil daily.
	The only acceptable animal foods are broiled fish and skinless turkey or chicken, consumed in moderation. Get protein from vegetable sources, grains and legumes instead.

Eliminate from your diet:

	All alcohol, caffeine, and tobacco.
	All animal fats including bacon, red meat, bouillon, chicken liver, corned beef, dairy products, cheeses, gravies, pork, sausages, smoked or processed meats.
	If you are taking an MAO inhibitor (one of a class of drugs prescribed for depression), avoid the chemical tyramine and its precursor, tyrosine. Combining MAO inhibitors with tyramine causes the blood pressure to soar and could cause a stroke. Tyramine-containing foods include almonds, avocados, bananas, beef or chicken liver, beer, cheese, chocolate, coffee, fava beans, herring, meat tenderizer, peanuts, pickles, pineapple, pumpkin seeds, raisins, sausage, sesame seeds, sour cream, soy sauce, wine, yeast extracts, and yogurt. Any high-protein food that has undergone aging, pickling, fermentation, or similar processes should be avoided. Over-the-counter cold and allergy remedies should also be avoided.
	Do not take antihistamines except under a physician’s direction.
	Do not take supplements containing the amino acids phenylalanine or tyrosine. Avoid artificial sweeteners such as aspartame (NutraSweet), which contain phenylalanine.

Considerations:

	According to the National Stroke Association, hypertension increases the risk of stroke by seven times and is the most important controllable risk factor for stroke. Many risk factors can be avoided by making changes in diet and lifestyle.
	The use of diuretic drugs causes increased urinary excretion of magnesium. Magnesium is needed in conjunction with calcium to prevent bone deterioration, as well as to maintain a normal heart rhythm and muscular contraction. Losses of potassium due to diuretics may be dangerous, causing heart malfunction. Herbal diuretics are far safer. Consult your doctor before using diuretics.
	Researchers at the State University of New York found that the lower the level of magnesium in the body, the higher the blood pressure, and taking supplemental magnesium can result in a reduction in blood pressure.
	People with hypertension often suffer from sleep apnea, in which they stop breathing for ten seconds or more throughout the night. Apnea is associated with loud snoring and restless sleep. Evaluation and treatment of apnea may help reduce high blood pressure.

Vitamin For Life Recommended Regimen and cost:

Product No. 59618-	Description	Comments	Cost
140-17	Super Calcium/Magnesium Tablets	2 tablets daily	$5.25/180
978-25	Garlic 400 mg. Tabs.	2 caps. 3 times daily.	$5.50/200
233-151	Selenium 200 mcg. Tabs.	1 tablet daily.	$5.99/100
946-12	Coenzyme Q10 30 mg. Caps.	1 tablet 3 times daily.	$13.95/60
239-15	Evening Primrose Oil 500 mg. softgels	As directed on label.	$8.99/100
955-12	Vitamin C 500 mg. w/Rose Hips	1 tablet 3 times daily.	$4.95/100
921-15	Lecithin 1200 mg. softgels	1 capsule 3 times daily before meals.	$4.50/100
234-15	Vitamin E 400 I.U. (D-Alpha Tocopheryl)	1 tablet daily.	$7.99/100

Sources:

Prescription for Nutritional Healing, 2^nd Edition,

By James F. Balch, M.D. and Phyllis A. Balch, C.N.C.

The Green Pharmacy, by James A. Duke, Ph.D.

The products and the claims made about specific products on or through this site have not been evaluated by Vitaminforlife.com or the United States Food and Drug Administration and are not approved to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent disease. The information provided on this site is for informational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for advice from your physician or other health care professional or any information contained on or in any product label or packaging. You should not use the information on this site for diagnosis or treatment of any health problem or for prescription of any medication or other treatment. You should consult with a healthcare professional before starting any diet, exercise or supplementation program, before taking any medication, or if you have or suspect you might have a health problem.