Cardiovascular disease is Americas number one killer, taking the lives of 37 percent of the folks who die annually. 71.3 million Americans have some form of cardiovascular disease, such as heart disease, stroke, high blood pressure, congestive heart failure, congenital cardiovascular defects, hardening of the arteries, and other diseases of the circulatory system.
Cardiovascular Disease
It cost Americans $403.1 billion in 2006 for medical expenses and disability. Keeping blood pressure and cholesterol in healthy limits, and not smoking, are the three most important and controllable factors in preventing or stopping the development of cardiovascular disease. Fortunately, there are lots of organic procedures for maintaining a healthy blood pressure and maintaining cholesterol levels optimal. (Remember to check with a qualified healthcare professional before beginning any supplementation program. Just as they’re natural, that doesn’t mean that all supplements are safe for each individual instance.)
Sodium Restriction
Approximately 40-50% of individuals with high blood pressure are sensitive to sodium intake. Reducing sodium intake is an important first step in reducing blood pressure. This requires limitation in adding salt to foods, in addition to avoiding processed foods. Processed foods include canned vegetables, prepared foods, pickles, salted snacks, and foods containing MSG.
Calcium
Studies have shown that calcium supplementation of 1000-1500 mg daily lowers blood pressure. Calcium helps the kidneys in excreting sodium, and, together with magnesium (see below)helps relax the smooth muscle lining of some blood vessels, which lowers diastolic blood pressure (the bottom number).
Magnesium
600 mg every day of magnesium has been shown to reduce blood pressure. Magnesium helps the heart create power and beat regularly. Magnesium is found in almonds, lima beans, peanuts, seafood, and spinach, but a lot of people don’t get enough magnesium from their diets alone.
Omega-3 Fatty Acids
(also called EPA/DHA, fish oil, or flaxseed oil) There are a large number of studies which reveal that omega-3 supplementation is effective in reducing blood pressure. You need about 1000 mg twice daily to achieve this result. Omega-3 fatty acids decrease inflammation, which compromises blood vessels.
This supplement also reduces clots and helps the heart beat regularly.
Garlic
A garlic supplement with 4000 mcg of allicin, or between a half and a whole clove of garlic, each day, will reduce blood pressure by about 20-30 mm Hg systolic (top number) and 10-20 mm Hg diastolic. Additionally, it reduces plaque in the arteries in people with atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries) Garlic has been demonstrated to improve the ratio of HDL (good cholesterol) to LDL (bad cholesterol).
Coenzyme Q10
Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) supplementation of 60 mg twice daily has consistently demonstrated to reduce blood pressure. It takes four to twelve months to have a noticeable effect. CoQ10 works by helping heart cells create energy, and is particularly effective in people with heart failure. Additionally, it allows blood vessels to relax and expand, especially in the heart. In food, it’s found in beef, broccoli, chicken, eggs, fish, nuts, spinach, vegetable oil, and wheat germ.
Phytonutrients
Fruit and Vegetable Supplementation. A recent research has indicated that subjects taking a green phytonutrient-rich vegetable and fruit powder for 90 days decreased systolic blood pressure by 12.4 mm Hg and diastolic blood pressure by 7.1 mm Hg compared to a control group. The powder consisted of micro algae, barley grass juice powder, multiple fruit and vegetable powders, lecithin, acerola cherry, fermented cabbage, milk thistle, plant enzymes, quinoa sprout, lemon peel, oat beta-glucan, soluble rice bran, green and white tea extracts, resveratrol, lutein, zeaxanthin, lycopene, cinnamon, raspberry, is quercitin-rutin, and aloe vera. The research showed that the advantage of phytonutrients is a lot stronger when the nourishment of multiple vegetables and fruits are taken together, instead of absorbed as isolated nutrients.
- Resveratrol, a compound found in large quantities in the phytonutrient powder, and also commonly found in red wine and grape juice, improves blood circulation within the brain, which reduces the odds of stroke. Additionally, it can help fight obesity and type2 diabetes, two risk factors for cardiovascular disease, and hardens damaged heart tissue.
- Vitamin C, which has been also found in high quantities in the powder, helps increase blood vessel flexibility and reduces LDL oxidation. Nutritionally, it’s found in citrus fruit, broccoli, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, potatoes, spinach, strawberries, tomatoes, and tomato juice.
- The potassium in the powder helps control blood pressure by regulating water flow. Additionally it is required for proper electric impulse transmission inside the center. It’s found in legumes, milk, vegetables, and fruits.
- Folic acid was also high in the powder. It’s found in legumes, citrus juice, peas, and green leafy veggies. It reduces homocysteine, thereby decreasing the risk of cardiovascular disease.
Guggul
This supplement is found in gum taken from the myrrh tree. It’s been shown to simultaneously reduce LDL levels while increasing HDL levels.
Hawthorn
This botanical opens blood vessels, reduces blood pressure, and improves oxygen use in the heart. Its use in heart-related states dates back to Greco-Roman times.
Reishi Mushroom
This Chinese mushroom is now commercially grown in northern Asia and North American. It’s been shown to reduce blood pressure and LDL levels, and also helps prevent blood clots.
Arginine
Arginine is an amino acid is found in chocolate, fish, poultry, nuts and meat. It counteracts blood vessel constriction. High levels of arginine are inversely proportional to degrees of C-reactive protein (CRP), a telltale marker of inflammation.
Niacin
Niacin, or nicotinic acid, one of the water-soluble B vitamins, improves all cholesterol levels when given in doses well above the recommended daily allowance. It’s cheap and widely accessible with no prescription but shouldn’t be used for cholesterol lowering with no observation of a doctor due to the possible side effects. The most frequent side effect is flushing or hot flashes, which are the consequence of the widening of blood vessels. Most individuals develop a tolerance to flushing, and it can be decreased by taking it during or after meals, or simply by taking a slow-release form. People on nicotinic acid are often started on low daily doses and gradually increased to an average daily dose of 1.5 to 3 g each day.
Conclusion
There is plenty of research that encourages the use of natural and supplementation interventions in controlling the risk of cardiovascular disease. Sometimes, they can lessen the need for drugs, which can help reduce the possibility of side effects from these drugs. In other situations, natural interventions, together with dietary changes and exercise, are all that are required to control blood pressure.
