The DASH Diet

 The Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension Diet (DASH) can significantly lower blood pressure. This diet is high in fruits and vegetables and the addition of lowfat dairy doubled the effectiveness. The diet when compared to the average American diet tripled the fiber intake. The diet also dramatically increased the intake of calcium, magnesium and potassium.

In other studies dark chocolate and tea were generally neutral or favorable for blood pressure, but coffee tended to increase the blood pressure. The beneficial effects are possibly associated with the polyphenols in tea and chocolate.

There is good reason to believe that vitamin D is important in regulation of high blood pressure. Knocking out the vitamin D receptor in rats result in the development of hypertension. Lack of the vitamin results in insulin resistance and the associated increase in blood pressure. Half the world population is deficient in vitamin D and insufficiency probably affects many more.

Intake of sugar and alcohol will often increase blood pressure.

Protein tends to lower blood pressure. Soybean protein is particularly effective. It is thought that this is due to the arginine content of soy which can be converted to nitric oxide which dilates the blood vessels.

Fish oil has also been shown to significantly lower blood pressure in some studies.

Exercise and weight loss are also effective measures in lowering blood pressure.

Supplements helpful for normalizing blood pressure would include Upbeet which promotes the production of nitric oxide to dilate blood vessels. Salmon Oil Plus would be helpful as it contains all 8 members of the omega-3 family, is tested for over 100 pollutants with a standard of zero, and is ultra high potency so the capsule is small and easy to swallow. One should also consider Vitamin D, Magnesium, and NeoLife Shake. Fiber and chelated Cal-Mag tablets could also be added.

High blood pressure can have many causes. Any of the factors mentioned in this article could play a role.

References:

Koppel, Joel D., et al., The Effect of Nutrition on Blood Pressure, Annu. Rev. Nutr. 2010. 30:365–401. This article’s doi: 10.1146/annurev-nutr-010510-103954

Kass, L, et al., Effect of magnesium supplementation on blood pressure: a meta-analysis, European Journal of Clinical Nutrition (2012) 1 -- 8

Borghi, Claudio, et al., Omega-3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids: Their Potential Role in Blood Pressure Prevention and Management, Current Vascular Pharmacology, 2009, 7, 000-000

Forman, John, et al., Effect of Vitamin D Supplementation on Blood Pressure in Blacks, Hypertension. 2013;61:779-785

Blood Pressure, Garlic, Nitric Oxide

 Nitric Oxide and Blood Pressure

This month's newsletter was written before the introduction of NeoLife Upbeet which is designed to increase nitric oxide production. Low levels of nitric oxide are associated with increased blood pressure. Increasing levels of nitric oxide can lower blood pressure in situations where other measures are ineffective.

The amino acid arginine is the precursor to nitric oxide. This is found in NeoLife's Sport Biotone. Polyphenols also improve the functioning of nitric oxide. These are found in NeoLife Tre. These two supplements are wonderful support for the new Upbeet product.

References:

Moncada, S., et al., Role of endothelium-derived nitric oxide in the regulation of blood pressure, Proc. Nati. Acad. Sci. USA, May 1989; 86: 3375-3378.

Napoli, Claudio, et al., Pomegranate juice protects nitric oxide against oxidative destruction and enhances the biological actions of nitric oxide, Nitric Oxide, 2006; 15(2):93-102.

Garlic and Blood Pressure

Garlic has been repeatedly shown to be a blood pressure lowering agent. Not only does it enhance nitric oxide functioning, but the sulfur compounds also appear to be of benefit. Garlic appears to lower both systolic and diastolic pressure by a little under ten points.

Reference:

Ried K, Fakler P., Potential of garlic (Allium sativum) in lowering high blood pressure: mechanisms of action and clinical relevance. Integr Blood Press Control. 2014 Dec 9;7:71-82.

 Flavonoids and Blood Pressure

     Recent research has revealed that flavonoids have the ability to combat high blood pressure. One of the mechanisms involved is the preservation of nitric oxide which has the ability to dilate blood vessels. Flavonoids can also mimic ACE inhibitors. This particular substance narrows blood vessels increasing blood pressure. Flavonoids can mimic pharmaceutical drugs which act as ACE inhibitors.      This is one more benefit of polyphenols and flavonoids in the diet. Unfortunately, these substances tend to decline in foods when they are produced with conventional agriculture.

References:

Flavonoids as ACE Inhibitors

Polyphenols as agents to prevent hypertension