Regulating Blood Pressure Naturally

by Decker Weiss, ND, (Naturopathic Cardiologist)

High blood pressure (also known as hypertension) affects about 65 million Americans, or about 1 in 3 adults. There are many potential causes of hypertension, but not necessarily any symptoms. In fact, 30% of the people who have high blood pressure don’t even realize it.

In other words, just because you don’t have symptoms doesn’t mean you don’t have high blood pressure. That’s why it’s called “The Silent Killer.” And, make no mistake about it: high blood pressure is dangerous. It is the number one modifiable cause of stroke. Just lowering blood pressure reduces the chance of stroke by 35-40%. Other conditions, including heart attack and heart failure can be reduced from 25-50%, respectively.

Of course, changing blood pressure numbers depends, in a large part, on the choices we make everyday—how much we exercise, the foods we eat, and our lifestyle overall.

Blood Pressure Defined

Blood pressure is divided into two parts, systolic and diastolic. Systolic is the pressure of the heart beating. Diastolic is the pressure of the heart and vessels filling. When blood pressure numbers are written out, as in “120/80,” the 120 is the systolic pressure and 80 is the diastolic pressure. Normal blood pressure is now considered to be a systolic pressure under 120, and a diastolic pressure under 80. If your numbers are consistently higher than these after multiple visits to your healthcare practitioner, you may have either pre-hypertension or high blood pressure.

Young arteries and arteries that are kept young though healthy diet and exercise are typically more elastic and unclogged. Blood flows through them easily and without much effort. However, as we age, our arteries become more prone to plaque build-up (due to diets high in saturated fat and sedentary lifestyles) and don’t “flex” as well under pressure. The result is faster blood flow, all the time. Over the long term, this damages heart tissue, arteries, kidney and other major organs.

Preventing High Blood Pressure

The reasons for hypertension aren’t always clear. However, there are lifestyle factors that contribute to high blood pressure that you can change:

Weight Loss: increase your lean muscle mass and lose the fat, especially the fat around your middle

Exercise: hearts in bodies that get regular exercise stay healthy and fit, just like any other muscle 

Salt: try to reduce your salt intake, and if you use salt in cooking, use healthier sea salt or Celtic salt

Alcohol and tobacco use: moderate your alcohol intake, and if you smoke - stop

Lowering Blood Pressure, Naturally

Dandelion leaf extract, lycopene, Stevia extract, olive leaf extract and hawthorn extract are scientifically and clinically studied natural ingredients that lower high blood pressure separately, and work even better when they’re combined. Stevia and olive leaf have been shown in scientific studies to lower blood pressure, hawthorn helps keep blood vessels flexible and elastic, dandelion (a diuretic) lowers blood pressure by encouraging the body to release excess water, and the antioxidant, lycopene, helps lower cholesterol and homocysteine levels and reduce your risk of heart attack. Every one of these ingredients has been studied and recommended for years. But now, a scientific study on a supplement that combines them in one synergistic formula, shows encouraging results lowering systolic and diastolic blood pressure.

In a small pilot study, 100% of participants taking the combination of nutrients listed above in a product called BP Manager by Enzymatic Therapy, Inc., showed lower blood pressure numbers in systolic and diastolic readings—some after only two weeks of use, with best results after eight weeks. Although the study was small, the results were statistically significant. Additionally, none of the participants experienced discomfort or side effects.

A Word of Caution

Many patients come to me for guidance on reducing or eliminating their use of prescription medications to lower blood pressure. Often this is due to side effects from the drugs that make them difficult to tolerate, including dizziness, dry mouth, headaches, and constipation. Some types of blood pressure drugs can cause erectile dysfunction (impotence) in men.

It is very important to never just stop taking a drug without consulting your doctor. There may be more than one reason why the drug was prescribed, and abruptly stopping use could endanger your health. As a naturopathic physician and expert on heart disease, I truly believe high blood pressure, especially mild increases in blood pressure, should first be treated with lifestyle changes, healthy diets, and appropriate nutritional supplements. While I applaud anyone who is willing to make the changes necessary to reduce or avoid the use of prescription medications, I also encourage you to make your doctor your partner in achieving your healthcare goals. 

Getting Started on Lowering Blood Pressure

First, have your blood pressure checked. Write it down so you don’t forget. Blood pressure should be checked several times to verify that it is consistently high. You may want to invest in a home blood pressure monitoring device. These can retail for anywhere from $30 all the way up to $200, but buying one in the $30 to $50 range is a good idea and money well spent. Consider taking the machine to your local doctor’s office or fire department to have it tested for accuracy against a professional blood pressure monitor.

Take a good look at your lifestyle and see what changes you can realistically make. Just adding one more serving of vegetables a day to your diet, or walking for 15 minutes can make a difference. 

Finally, look for a supplements that combines dandelion leaf extract, lycopene, Stevia extract, olive leaf extract and hawthorn extract. These proven ingredients can lower your blood pressure and get you started down the road to a longer and healthier life. 

Decker Weiss, NMD, FA.SA. Cardiologist (Naturopathic) is the first naturopathic physician to complete a residency program in the Columbia Hospital System, the Arizona Heart Hospital and the Arizona Heart Institute. He is also the first naturopathic physician to be on staff at a conventional hospital, the Arizona Heart Hospital. Dr. Weiss is a pioneer in the application of effective natural alternatives to bypass surgery and angioplasty. Visit his website at: www.managebp.com