How to Lower Your Blood Pressure with Nutrients

How to Lower Your Blood Pressure with Nutrients

~Adapted from Life Extension's Blog

Pomegranate

Effects:

Inhibits the angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) which causes blood vessel constriction.

Reduced ACE activity by 36% and decreased systolic pressure (the top number) by 5%.

Extract Dosing:500 mg/day

Grape seed extract

Effects:

Dilates blood vessels by increasing nitric oxide production.

Reduced systolic pressure and diastolic pressure compared to placebo an average of 12 points and 7 points in 4 weeks

Extract Dosing:150 to 300 mg/day

Arginine

Effects:

Dilates blood vessels by producing nitric oxide.

By diet or supplementation, arginine reduces systolic pressure by 6 points and reduces diastolic pressure between 5–7 points

Dosing:1 to 2 grams/day

Magnesium

Effects:

Acts like a natural calcium channel blocker and cofactor for the vasodilator prostaglandin E1.

Significant decreases in both systolic (average 5.6 points) and diastolic blood pressure (average 2.8 points)

Dosing:250 to 500 mg/day

Potassium

Effects:

Reduces blood volume and blood pressure by increasing the excretion of sodium by the kidneys.

Decreases systolic pressure (top number) between 2.4–5.9 mmHg and diastolic (bottom number) 1.6–3.4 mmHg within 2–8 weeks

Dosing: 100 mg/day

Hawthorn

Effects:

Dilates blood vessels by inhibiting the renin system and has mild diuretic activity (diuretics decrease blood volume and blood pressure).

Hawthorn demonstrated a significant decrease in both systolic and diastolic blood pressure in 92 patients.

Extract Dosing:500 mg/day