Note: The Food and Drug Administration of the United States (FDA) does not approve of security or efficiency supplements. Talk to a health professional to know if an additional supplement is suitable for your individual health and on any drug interaction or concern of potential safety.
In the United States, almost half of adults have high blood pressure, also known as hypertension, which increases the risk of fatal events such as heart attacks and cerebral vascular accidents. Although various supplements and remedies based on plants, vitamin, minerals and antioxidants do not replace drugs such as ACE inhibitors or calcium channel blockers, they can be a complementary approach to high blood pressure management.
“When someone asks which natural products treat hypertension, they often unconsciously ask which herbs or supplements can replace pharmaceutical drugs,” explains Paul Kalnins, ND, a naturopath doctor based in Portland, Oregon. “No grass or complement is as good as existing pharmaceuticals.”
It is crucial that you talk to your doctor before you start any new supplement for the concerns of blood pressure. Large -scale clinical trials are still necessary for most supplements. But the following herbs and supplements can be beneficial for certain underlying causes of high blood pressure.
1. Hraidorn
This thorny northern European shrub has traditionally used as a treatment of heart disease for thousands of years. In a research review of studies on participants with pre-hypertension or highlighting of stage 1, hawthorn has considerably reduced blood pressure when it is taken for at least 12 weeks.
“With hypertension, there is a low -grade inflammation in the arterial walls, which means that the blood vessels are tightening and do not expand naturally,” explains Kalnins. The co compounds of hawthorn could relax these arterial walls.
It is possible for Hawthorn to interact with digoxin (digitek, lanoxin), a drug used to treat certain heart problems, as well as beta-blockers, so do not take Hawthorn without advice from your doctor if you use one of these treatments.
2. Fish oil
Fish oil supplements are a good source of omega-3 fatty acids, which, among other advantages, have natural anti-inflammatory properties that can protect your heart and blood vessels.
Some research has revealed that fish oil effectively reduces systolic blood pressure in patients with metabolic syndrome, which is the upper number of blood pressure reading that reflects pressure blood exerts on the walls of the artery when the heart beats.
Research has revealed that omega-3 fatty acids promote healthier and wider blood vessels, “which goes hand in hand with healthy blood pressure levels”, explains Mary Opefer, RD, Associate Professor Clinical and Director of Nutrition and Dietetics at Pace University in White Planins, New York.
The diet is considered the most effective way to take advantage of the advantages of omega-3, as foods like salmon offer other healthy nutrients, including proteins. But some seafood contains high levels of mercury, a toxic metal, while omega-3 supplements may not because it is generally eliminated during purification in the manufacturing process.
“Supplements should come from a source that checks mercury levels in fish oil,” says Kalnins.
3. Alure
Garlic has long been used in traditional medicine systems for various purposes, including its hypotal properties in blood pressure. A review has concluded that garlic consumption can modestly lower blood pressure, especially in those who suffer from light hypertension. The natural garlic compounds can help by relaxing blood vessels and reducing stress on cells.
A meta-analysis of 12 clinical trials revealed that the Kyolic aging extract, a supplement without odor, considerably reduced both systolic blood pressure and what is called diastolic blood pressure, the lower number of a reading of the blood pressure which indicates that the pressure blood exerts on the walls of the artery when the heart rests between beats.
Researchers noted that garlic should not be considered a substitute for conventional blood pressure drugs. Large -scale and long -term clinical trials are still necessary to determine its effectiveness and the optimal dose.
4. Magnesium
Magnesium is a mineral that helps regulate the cardiovascular system, nerves, muscles and bones of the body. Research shows that the exhaustion of magnesium plays a role in hypertension and at least a quarter of Americans have chronically low magnesium levels.
The efficiency of magnesium may depend on who takes it. A review has tested the impact of oral magnesium on four groups of people: participants with normal blood pressure, those with untreated hypertension, patients whose blood pressure is not well controlled by drugs and those whose drugs keep their blood pressure under control. Although magnesium does not always help people suffering from previously untreated hypertension, the supplement may have improved blood pressure in patients whose hypertension was not well controlled with prescription drugs.
“In this research study, those who have lower blood pressure after taking magnesium already used blood pressure drugs,” explains Opefer. “We should ask ourselves if magnesium was a downward help in blood pressure, or if it really had a positive effect on the person’s blood pressure.”
Magnesium plays a role in vascular health, but more research is necessary and the dosage can vary from person to person, adds Opef.
5. Coenzyme Q10
The coenzyme Q10 supplement (COQ10) is involved in the contraction of the smooth muscle, in particular the efficiency of the contraction.
“Coq10 increases the activity of the mitochondria, where is the place where energy is made, which gives essentially more energy to the heart muscle,” explains Kalnins. Scientists still determine who could benefit the most from this supplement to manage high blood pressure.
An examination of 45 clinical trials revealed that the COQ10 has slightly reduced the systolic blood pressure by around 3.4 millimeters of mercury (MMHG), especially when the doses were less than 200 milligrams (MG) per day and taken for more than eight weeks. Although it seems to be safe and potentially beneficial for those who suffer from light hypertension, this supplement does not seem to have an effect on heart rate or diastolic pressure (the lower number).
6. Folic acid
Folic acid, perhaps better known as an essential prenatal vitamin, has also been studied for its potential with a drop in blood pressure. Some research seems promising, but efficiency is not yet fully conclusive.
A meta-analysis of more than 40,000 patients revealed that folic acid supplements considerably reduced systolic blood pressure. Another study revealed that people with folate deficiency were 42% more likely to develop high blood pressure during 13 years than those with normal folate levels.
But a study of more than 6,340 Korean adults revealed that folate levels were not significantly associated with hypertension rates.
“There [may be] A place of supplements and herbs for hypertension, but I think it would be on an individual basis, “explains Opef.” We must examine their other health problems, interactions with other possible drugs, age and lifestyle. There is no one size. »»
The point to take away
Food supplements are not intended to replace prescription drugs for high blood pressure, but some research suggests that some of them can help hypertension management, under the direction of your health care team.
Hugs, fish oil, garlic, magnesium, coenzyme Q10 and folic acid are promising by reducing inflammation, relaxing blood vessels or supporting vascular function, which all help reduce high blood pressure.
Manufacturers can market a supplement without proving security or efficiency, but you can find supplements that have been tested and verified by third -party organizations for purity and quality.
Speak with your doctor potential interactions and side effects before using a hypertension supplement.