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Nearly half of essential hypertension sufferers have blood sugar control problems. For these people a blood sugar lowering diet would be very valuable. The late doctor Robert Atkins treated hypertension very successfully on a low carbohydrate diet with the addition of nutritional supplements. 60% of people will respond to a reduction of salt in their diets providing they are taking in too much to begin with. Increasing water intake is also helpful. Fatty Acids A number of studies have shown that omega 3 fatty acids found in fish oils can lower high blood pressure. They have many benefits on the blood vessels including better flexibility and pliability and helping them to relax. Garlic Regular consumption of garlic reduces the risk of heart disease. It lowers cholesterol, prevents blood fats sticking to the walls of the arteries and lowers elevated blood pressure. It also inhibits substances that constricts blood vessels. Co-enzyme Q10 A number of studies prove the benefit of this nutrient. In one of these the systolic readings fell from 164.5 to 146.7 on average. The diastolic readings fell from 98.1 to 86.1 on average. Vitamin C Since essential hypertension is associated with an abnormal antioxidant status and reduced levels of nitric oxide, in both of which vitamin C has important roles, one would expect this vitamin to be able to reduce high blood pressure and it does. Vitamin C at doses of 500mg per day caused significant drops in blood pressure in men and women with hypertension according to one study. Other Important Nutrients The non essential amino acid l-arginine relaxes the blood vessels once it is converted to nitric oxide. Its blood pressure lowering effect is seen taking between two and nine grams per day. Some minerals are particularly important in the cardiovascular system. These include calcium, magnesium and potassium. Taurine has a diuretic effect and can relax blood vessels.
Article Source: http://www.articlematters.com
The writer runs an holistic medicine website for the London region of England. It includes many london complementary practitioners as well as a large number of articles on nutrition and holistic medicine.
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