Health Conditions

High blood pressure is defined by a reading of 140 (systolic) and 90 (diastolic) - 140/90, or higher.

More than 90 percent of people with high blood pressure have primary or essential hypertension - meaning no apparent disorder or disease process can account for their elevated blood pressure. In this circumstance, natural therapies, particularly lifestyle and dietary modifications, can result in significant improvements.

Signs and symptoms
 

• Headaches
• Shortness of breath
• Ringing in ears
• Fatigue and irritability
• Blurred vision
• Nausea and vomiting
• Abnormal heart sounds

Factors that can influence blood pressure include

Age, race and genetics
Lifestyle factors — stress, high salt, caffeine, alcohol or fat intake, lack of exercise, obesity, heavy metal poisoning and smoking.
Medications or supplements — oral contraceptives or hormone replacement, steroids, and high doses of liquorice.
Nutrient deficiencies — calcium, magnesium, potassium, Co enzyme Q 10, Vitamin C and essential fatty acids (Omega 3 and 6).

Medic Alert
See a health professional if you are experiencing any of the following symptoms - fatigue, nausea, shortness of breath, light-headedness, headache, excessive sweating, problems with your vision, or confusion. These may be serious could be from uncontrolled hypertension or from medication side effects. 

Naturopathic recommendations
Res-V^® Plus: 

• Resveratrol
• Turmeric
• Green tea
• Pine bark
• Red grape skin extract

Other herbs and supplements

Vitamin C — helps to reduce blood clot formation risk, relaxes arterial walls and therefore blood pressure. Take an antioxidant formula that combines 500mg of Vitamin C with other antioxidants that help to reduce free radical damage of heart and blood vessels.

Vitamin B Complex — Lack of B vitamins especially folic acid (folate), B3, B6 may lead to heart complications and high blood pressure.
Co enzyme Q10 (Co-Q10) — levels are commonly low in individuals with high blood pressure. As an antioxidant specific for the heart many people with high blood pressure have found CoQ10 to prevent the negative progression of high blood pressure. Take 150mg – 200mg daily.

Minerals — Magnesium (450mg), Potassium (50-300mg) and Calcium (1500mg daily) supplementation helps to reduce these important mineral deficiencies that lead to hypertension. Take potassium and magnesium in the morning and calcium at night with meals.

Vitamin E 200-400iu daily

Omega 3 Fish oil – 3000mg

Herbal medicine

Hawthorn — is beneficial for blood pressure and acts as an antioxidant.

Garlic — is a hypotensive agent that is able to break down fibrous material and improve elasticity of blood vessel walls. In addition to using fresh garlic in your cooking, you can also take a therapeutic dose of garlic in supplement form. A 400 mg garlic extract, or one clove of fresh garlic a day, is suggested to reduce cholesterol. Look for garlic supplements with standardized allicin. Avoid with the prescribed medication warfarin, as garlic in large amounts or standardized form may have a blood thinning affect, although adding to food in natural form should be fine.

Ginger — Helps circulation and breaks down fibrous deposits on blood vessels and arteries. Take 500mg 2-4 times daily, and add ginger to foods and teas. Avoid with the prescribed medication warfarin, as ginger in large supplement or herbal extract amounts may have a blood thinning affect. Ginger tea and adding to food should be fine.

Ginkgo biloba — helps reduce risk of stroke, heart attack, intermittent claudication, has a relaxing effect, serving to dilate vessels and reduces blood pressure. Avoid with the prescribed medication warfarin, as ginkgo in large amounts may have a blood thinning affect.

Lifestyle recommendations

Reduce weight if necessary

Exercise— must be gradual and start off lightly if it is not a regular habit by now. Walking 3-4 times weekly is a good start. Increase your speed if it becomes too easy. Ideally walk for 40minutes to 1 hour. Intensity of speed or exercise can decrease the length of time you need to exercise, down to 20-30minutes. If you have bone, joint or muscle injuries seek professional personal training advice to advise an adaptive exercise programme to suit you. Cardio and weight bearing exercise is excellent for blood circulation, bone health, muscle tone and strength and increases a sense of well-being and relaxation.

Relaxation — is important to help relieve stress, both mentally and physically. Stress exacerbates angina, cholesterol problems and high blood pressure. Balance exercise with relaxation four times a week. Enjoy a good book, have a bubble baths, or try yoga or meditation.

Quit smoking as it damages and constricts your blood vessel. If you do choose to continue, ensure you supplement with a high-dose multivitamin, and extra vitamin C.

Consume fewer animal products, opting for a more vegetarian diet with lowered cheese or diary product intake. Increase fresh fruits, nuts, seeds and vegetables in the diet to assist with calcium levels.

Reduce total fat intake and favour vegetable oils over saturated animal fats. Non-heated polyunsaturated, or monounsaturated fats found in vegetable oils (olive oil or canola) — can actually lower cholesterol. Use omega 3 or “good fats” including flax oil or small amounts of olive oil and avocado as a substitute for butter and margarine. (Do not heat flax seed oil). Use small amounts of olive oil or avocado to stir fry foods.

Reduce your alcohol intake (especially binging) as this increases blood fat levels. If you do choose to drink, limit yourself to 5 servings a week (1 serving equals- 300ml beer, 60mls of sherry, martini or port, 30ml of spirits or 100mls of win, preferably red).

How does Res-V® Plus work?