Supplements to lower blood pressure
WHAT IS HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE?
Arteries are naturally flexible and smooth, which allows blood to easily move throughout the body. High blood pressure creates extra force against the artery walls, which damages the lining of the arteries. As they become narrower and harder, this restricts blood flow, and when blood flow is lowered, the heart has to work harder to pump it through the body, which only makes the problem worse. Healthy blood pressure is any reading under 120/80 mm Hg, where the top number represents the blood pressure level when heart beats and the lower number represents the blood pressure level in between beats. Anything over 120/80 is considered high, and you are considered to be at a very high risk if your reading is over 140/90
How to lower blood pressure
One of the easiest ways to manage your blood pressure is simply making healthy life choices such as eating a low-sodium diet, committing to a regular exercise routine, and avoiding (excessive) alcohol. Smoking is one of the worst things that you can do to your cardiovascular system, and it’s important that you take steps to quit as soon as possible to avoid hypertension, even if you don’t yet suffer from it yet.
Ensuring that your diet is high in good fats (like omegas) and fiber, getting adequate sleep, and managing stress levels can go a long way to supporting better cardiovascular health. And if you are on medication for our blood pressure, be sure to take it as directed and consult your doctor regularly if you notice any health changes.
Beyond this, there are a number of supplements that are completely safe, inexpensive and effective when it comes to managing hypertension – here are some of our top choices.
1. Magnesium
Magnesium deficiency is the second most common deficiency in developed countries, and returning your intake to normal levels has been Proven to regulate blood pressure .Magnesium is already recognized as essential for over 300 biochemical reactions in the body.
While there has been ongoing research into whether magnesium has a significant effect on high blood pressure, it has been widely documented to maintain normal nerve and muscle function, maintain a steady heartbeat, support a healthy immune system, and help bones to remain strong.
Be sure to take magnesium supplements with food for optimal absorption and to avoid digestive discomfort.
2. Omega-3 fatty acids
Omega-3 fatty acids, such as those found in fish oil supplements offer a wide variety of health benefits, including the ability to reduce blood pressure by reducing LDL (or “bad”) cholesterol. It is possible to consume enough Omega-3 fatty acids simply by adding more fatty fish to your diet, but it’s much easier to take it in supplement form. The best forms of Omega-3 oil are krill and calamari oils.
3. PQQ
Pyroloquinoline quinone, or PQQ, is a pseudo-vitamin that can boost metabolic efficiency and function. PQQ helps lower blood pressure by reducing the level of triglycerides in the blood. About 20 mg / day is all you need for optimal brain and body health.