Are there natural vitamins for high blood pressure? Dietary concerns definitely play a role in heart health, including high blood pressure. Here's what you need to know.
All About High Blood Pressure
High blood pressure is also known as hypertension. According to American Heart Association, blood pressure is a measure of the force of blood against your artery walls. When this force is too high for sustained periods of time, it can lead to health problems such as heart attack and stroke, aneurysm, and heart failure. Two mechanical factors affect how high your blood pressure is: the width of your vascular passages and how much blood your heart pumps. When your vascular passages (veins and arteries) are narrower and your heart pumps more blood, your blood pressure is higher. If you have wider arteries and your heart pumps less blood, your blood pressure is lower. Hypertension may be caused by genetic factors and aging. It can also be secondary to conditions such as adrenal problems, diet, cardiovascular defects and medications.
Natural Vitamins for High Blood Pressure
Nutritional approaches are frequently recommended as your first line of defense against high blood pressure. The DASH diet, for instances, recommends a healthy approach to eating that has been proven to reduce blood pressure.The DASH diet is a high fruit and vegetable diet that is similar to the diet recommended by the USDA. Taking a healthy approach to eating that encompasses a variety of fruits and vegetables assures your body has all of the vitamins and nutrients it needs to sustain proper health function, including blood pressure maintenance.
Many vitamins and minerals may also help to promote healthy blood pressure.
CoEnzyme Q10 (CoQ10)
CoQ10 deficiency is found in a significant portion of patients with high blood pressure. A 2001 study of CoQ10 found that the nutrient was valuable in reducing blood pressure in patients with hypertension. Meat, poultry and fish are all sources of CoQ10. CoQ10, which is also known as Ubiquinone, is best synthesized with fats. If you elect to take CoQ10 supplements, take it in the form of oil caps.
Omega-3 Fatty Acids
The University of Maryland Medical Center reports that several studies indicate that Omega-3 fatty acids are effective for lowering high blood pressure. Fatty fish and other seafoods are a source of Omega-3 fats, as are walnuts, flaxseeds, as well as other nuts and seeds.You can also supplement Omega-3 fats by taking fish oil.
Calcium
According to a study from the National Institute of Health, calcium has a positive effect on blood pressure. The University recommends supplementing around 1000 mg of calcium daily to correct hypertension. Food sources of calcium include low-fat dairy products and spinach.
Magnesium
Some studies have shown that magnesium supplementation may be efficacious in reducing hypertension. Magnesium is present in broccoli, peanuts, halibut and spinach.
Potassium
Potassium helps regulate sodium, which has been implicated in high blood pressure. Sodium causes the blood to hold onto a high volume of water, which requires your heart to pump more blood through circulatory vessels. Potassium can help blood volumes return to normal. Foods high in potassium include bananas, potatoes, avocados and clams.
Vitamin C
A 1999 joint study conducted by the Linus Pauling Institute at Oregon State University and the Boston University School of Medicine reports that supplementation of 500 mg of vitamin C daily produces significant reduction in hypertension. Spinach, strawberries and citrus fruits are all high in vitamin C.
Managing Hypertension
Natural vitamins for high blood pressure found in foods are an excellent way to get the nutritional benefits you're looking for. Along with nutritional solutions, you can also manage hypertension through lifestyle changes. Stop smoking and reduce caffeine and sugar intake. Exercise regularly, lose weight and eat a balanced diet. Decrease salt and alcohol, and find effective ways to manage stress. All of these lifestyle changes can help you to manage blood pressure without medication.
Hypertension is a serious medical condition. While you can implement diet and lifestyle changes to help manage it, if you are hypertensive, you need to be under the care of a qualified physician. By combining expert medical care, proper nutrition and lifestyle changes, you can reduce your high blood pressure.
