Natural Ways to Lower Blood Pressure

Just because you have been told your blood pressure is high, doesn't mean you must go on medication.  Here are some suggestions that will help to lower blood pressure naturally and holistically:

Hibiscus Tea     

Studies show that consuming the leaves and flowers of the hibiscus plant can lower blood pressure as well as some medications.  Compounds in the plant may act similarly to anti hypertension medications called ACE inhibitors.There are a variety of reasons why this tea may lower blood pressure. It can open the arteries, it acts as a diuretic, and may slow the release of hormones that make blood vessels constrict. 

 I recommend 1-3 cups of "Hibiscus sabdariffa" per day to control blood pressure (Most studies used three cups.)  Source    Also, please use ORGANIC tea of any kind, since most conventional tea is sprayed with glyphosate, to dry it out. (Glyphosate is a probable carcinogen, as classified by the World Health Organization in April, 2015). Let it steep for 5 -10 minutes.  When the weather is warm, try making iced hibiscus tea, and add grated fresh ginger and honey.

Co Q 10 Supplementation  

     Co Q 10 increases energy to the heart muscle. Source  Levels decrease as we age and are depleted by cholesterol lowering drugs including statins and red rice yeast.  60-100 mg per day may improve diastolic function and support blood pressure.  If you are on a statin drug, (or red rice yeast) you may want to take a higher dose of Co Q 10, but it is a good idea to consult a naturopathic physician who is familiar with this supplement.

     Foods that contain Co Q 10 include beef, fish, poultry, peanuts, and sesame.  I recommend grass fed beef and pasture raised poultry, wild caught fish (preferably not from the Pacific, since the Fukishima radiation leak) and ORGANIC peanuts.

Fish Oil Supplementation

     Fish oil  is high in omega 3 fatty acids, and may help to   decrease  blood pressure. It can also help to reduce blood fats called triglycerides, which may curtail the development of plaque in the artery walls. 

Other benefits of fish oil supplementation include a lower chance of developing an abnormal heart rhythm, decreased likelihood of having a stroke or heart attack, and less chance of sudden cardiac death in people with heart disease  Source

     I recommend 1/2 teaspoon -1 teaspoon of liquid fish oil, flavored with lemon, daily. (Most research indicates 3 grams/day is an adequate dosage. There are 5 grams in a teaspoon.) Make sure it is extremely clean – from a reputable company that tests for mercury and other toxic metals and doesn't add any genetically engineered oils.  It should also be sourced from wild caught cold water fish.

Magnesium Supplementation

      Magnesium levels have been found to be consistently low in individuals with hypertension. Source  Foods high in magnesium include: coffee, fish sauce, leafy greens, cocoa, nuts and seeds, avocado, dark chocolate, dairy products. (Except for avocado, with its thick skin, organic sources are recommended.) 

Potassium

      

     Best sources include bananas, oranges, tomatoes, and potatoes. (Organic sources are recommended.)

Calcium

     Best sources include dairy products, sardines, and dark green leafies. (Organic sources are recommended.)

      

     Note: Himalayan pink salt contains calcium, magnesium, potassium and iodine, as well as sodium, and is a much healthier alternative than common table salt to enhance food’s flavors. Remember that most processed foods are very high in cheap quality salt that has been stripped of most trace minerals and bleached.

     Other supplements that may improve blood pressure include D- ribose and L-carnitine, grape seed extract, hawthorn berry, and resveratrol,  according to Dr. Steven Sinatra, an integrative cardiologist.Source

A Low Carbohydrate, Anti-inflammatory Diet

     Avoid sugar, and limit foods that convert to sugar, like flour (even whole grain!) pasta, potatoes, and rice.  100% fruit juice should be watered down. (i.e. 1 -2 tablespoons of juice to 1 cup purified seltzer water.)

     I recommend a diet that includes lots of healthy fats to keep you satisfied and control blood sugar. Healthy fats include avocados, avocado oil,  olives, olive oil, nuts, coconut, coconut oil, pasture-raised, organic butter, and full fat organic, grass-fed dairy and meat.  Also, include LOTS of vegetables and fruits. Any whole grains should be eaten in VERY small quantities, as they cause an increase in insulin production which causes weight gain, inflammation, and insulin resistance.

Exercise

     Helps the blood vessels to dilate/relax, which decreases blood pressure.

Meditation

     Emotional stress causes oxidative damage and increases blood pressure. It is very important to learn how to give the mind a rest! Concentrated breathing and yoga  can decrease blood pressure considerably.

Walking Barefoot on Grass, Sand, and Concrete

     This is called grounding or earthing. Electrons enter the body through the feet and can decrease oxidative stress, limiting inflammation.  This can help to thin the blood and balance cortisol which is too high during times of stress. Source
 It is important that the grass is not sprayed with pesticides!

Detoxification

     Eat a diet high in fiber that is free of pesticides! Foods like cilantro and organic strawberries help to remove toxic metals from the body.  Sweating, from exercise or time spent in a sauna, helps to remove impurities from the body. Source

Medical Disclaimer: Information provided in this email is for informational purposes only. The information is a result of years of practice and experience by Beth Beisel, R.D.LLC. However, this information is NOT intended as a substitute for the advice provided by your physician or other healthcare professional, or any information contained on or in any product.

Do not use the information provided in this email for diagnosing or treating a health problem or disease, or prescribing medication or other treatment. Always speak with your physician or other healthcare professional before taking any medication or nutritional, herbal or homeopathic supplement, or using any treatment for a health problem. If you have or suspect that you have a medical problem, contact your health care provider promptly. Do not disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking professional advice because of something you have read in this email.

Information provided in this email and the use of any products or services related to this email by you does not create a dietitian-patient relationship between you and Beth Beisel, R.D., LLC. Information and statements regarding dietary supplements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

Genetically Engineered Food Right-to-Know Act

Today, in support of Senator Richard Blumenthal’s federal bill to label genetically engineered organisms, we attended his press conference.  Senator Blumenthal has introduced a fair federal GMO labeling bill that would require mandatory labeling and would counter the "DARK Act" which would NOT require mandatory labeling and would pre-empt the states rights to require mandatory labeling.

90% of Americans want the right that 64 other countries give their citizens, TRANSPARENCY.  The opposition to GMO labeling is counting on congress to do its dirty work.  What has become known as the “DARK Act” (Deny Americans Right to Know), looks like an industry wish list: pre-emption of current and future state GMO labeling laws and codifying the failed voluntary labeling system that has been in existence since 2001. It also gives more power to the FDA (aka Michael Taylor from Monsanto) to insure the “safety” of our food…  If the "DARK Act" passes, the CT GMO labeling law will become obsolete.  Also, foods that are genetically engineered will be legally allowed to be labeled as “natural.”

Senator Blumenthal’s bill, The Genetically Engineered Food Right-to-Know Act would require the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to label GE food and foods containing GE ingredients. This bill is modeled after CT’s law. Senator Blumenthal is fighting for our right to know at the federal level, but if the opposition succeeds in passing the "DARK Act", it will shut down his efforts.