4 supplements to avoid with blood pressure medications
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High blood pressure (hypertension) is a common condition affecting more than a billion people worldwide. Treatment of high blood pressure is necessary to reduce your risk of heart disease and stroke. However, certain supplements can interact with the drugs used to lower your blood pressure, resulting in health risks.
Ginseng (Panax Ginseng; Panax quinquefolius L.) is a grass with anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects. There are several types of ginseng and grass is used in traditional medicine to manage several health problems.
Ginseng can help lower blood pressure by opening blood vessels (vasodilation). The tight blood vessels (vasoconstriction) make it more difficult for blood to move in your body, which increases your blood pressure.
Studies are conflicting to find out if ginseng can interact with blood pressure drugs. A small study of 2018 in young men with normal blood pressure revealed that the grass does not affect the cozaar blood pressure medication (Losartan). Other studies have shown that ginseng can interact with the diuretic lasix (furosemide). Additional research is necessary in humans to understand the severity of this interaction.
Speak with your doctor to determine if ginseng is sure to take with your medication.
Licorice root (Glycyrrhiza glabra) is commonly used grass as aroma in candies, food and tobacco products. Historically, the root has been used to treat pulmonary diseases, liver diseases and healing.
The liquorice contains an ingredient called glycyrrhizique acid (GA), which can increase blood pressure and cause serious side effects in people with high blood pressure. It has been shown that the doses of GA as low as 100 milligrams have increased blood pressure.
Supplements with GA can also interact with diuretics and blood pressure medicines. The supplement can reduce the effectiveness of blood pressure drugs and increase your risk of side effects. More specifically, the licorice root can increase sodium levels and reduce potassium levels in your body. This effect, combined with a diuretics, can cause dangerously low potassium levels.
If you have high blood pressure, it is best to avoid using products with a licorice root.
St. John’s wall (Hypericum perforatum) is a plant used to treat symptoms of depression and menopause. Despite its historical use as a traditional medication, the plant turned out to interact dangerously with a variety of drugs. The must of Saint-Jean weakens the effects of many drugs, including some used to treat blood pressure.
Examples of blood pressure drugs that interact with the must of Saint-Jean include:
- Procardia (nifedipine)
- Talinolol
- Verelan (Verapamil)
These interactions probably occur because the must of St. John prevents the drug from being absorbed in the body as it would normally.
Talk to your doctor before taking the Millepertuis. They can tell you if the supplement can interact with other drugs or supplements you take.
Green tea (Camellia sinensis)) is a popular drink often favored for weight loss and heart health. As anti-inflammatory and antioxidant, green tea can also lower blood pressure if used regularly.
However, green tea can affect the functioning of certain blood pressure drugs:
- Cogard (Nadolol): A 2020 study revealed that consumption of a cup of green tea can affect the way your body absorbs Nadolol, a common drug of blood pressure.
- Zestril (Lisinopril): Drinking green tea or the use of green tea supplements can affect how your body breaks down the lisinopril of blood pressure drugs.
If you take Lisinopril or Nadolol, you should limit your use of green tea and green supplements.
Some supplements can help lower your blood pressure. This can be beneficial for some people. However, when associated with drugs that also lower blood pressure, these supplements could make your blood pressure too low (hypotension). Talk to your doctor to know if these supplements are safe and suitable for you.
Supplements that have hypochicheritile effects in the blood include:
- Vitamin D: Vitamin D can be useful for treating high blood pressure. Studies have used doses ranging from 200 to 8,000 international units (IU) per day. However, other research has found no improvement in blood pressure with vitamin.
- Coenzyme Q10: Many studies have shown that the doses of Coenzyme Q10 as low as 200 milligrams per day can lower blood pressure, especially if they are taken with blood pressure drugs.
- Vitamin E: Vitamin E is an antioxidant that can affect blood pressure. The dosage of studies varies from 50 to 320 milligrams per day. However, other studies reveal that the benefit is very low.
- Garlic: The garlic has also lowered blood pressure. It works by opening the blood vessels and lowering oxidative stress throughout the body.
- Cinnamon: Cinnamon in your diet or in the form of a supplement can lower blood pressure and improve heart health.
- Melatonin: Melatonin has been shown to lower blood pressure. It also helps promote a regular regular cycle, which helps support global heart health.
High blood pressure may not cause notable symptoms at first. It is therefore important to regularly monitor your blood pressure.
High blood pressure is considered to be all that is more than 180/120 millimeters of mercury (MM HG). If your blood pressure is very high, you may experience symptoms such as dizziness, sudden and serious headache, difficulty breathing and vision changes. If you have one of these symptoms, consult medical care immediately. High blood pressure can damage your organs if not treated.
Before starting the supplements, discuss with your health care provider. They can help you decide if a supplement would be useful and safe for you.
Managing your blood pressure is necessary to reduce your risk of heart disease and stroke. Certain supplements can interact with the drugs used to lower your blood pressure. The examples include ginseng, liquorice root, thousand ferthe and green tea. Other supplements, such as coenzyme Q10, cinnamon and vitamin E, can help lower your blood pressure.
Before taking a supplement, talk to your doctor. They can help you decide if the supplement is sure for you and if it can help treat high blood pressure.

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