High blood pressure affects one in every three adults in the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Expensive medications for high blood pressure, also called hypertension, have a myriad of actions ranging from dilating the blood vessels to diuretics which may cause significant electrolyte and fluid imbalances. Holistic alternatives to treat high blood pressure offer a more natural and less expensive means to manage the disease's symptoms.
Supplements
Adding calcium, magnesium and potassium as daily supplements can prevent mineral deficiencies shown to contribute to high blood pressure, states Phyllis A. Balch, CNC, in her book "Prescriptions for Nutritional Healing." Coenzyme Q10 improves heart function and lowers blood vessels' resistance to changes in pressure, states Balch. Essential fatty acids, garlic and L-arginine all lower blood pressure. Take each supplement according to the individual package labels.
Herbs
Mistletoe, available in capsule form, reduces symptoms of hypertension such as headaches and dizziness through dilation of the blood vessels. Cayenne, chamomile, fennel, hawthorn berries and rosemary all lower blood pressure, according to Balch. Do not take chamomile on an ongoing basis or you may develop an allergy to ragweed. If an allergy already exists, avoid chamomile altogether.
Exercise
Exercise which raises the heart rate, lowers the blood pressure over time. By demanding the blood vessels increase blood flow when the heart works harder, the vessels retain and improve their elasticity. As people age, the vessels begin to resist stretching and blood pressure raises. Regular exercise may keep the blood pressure lower long into the golden years.
Diet and Weight Maintenance
A low-salt diet high in fiber and natural foods maintains blood pressure in the lower range. Fried, greasy foods increase the amount of fat in the bloodstream and cause plaque buildup in the arteries. When the arteries narrow as a result of plaque, blood pressure increases. The University of Maryland Medical Center (UMM) recommends the "Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension," or DASH diet of whole foods, low-fat dairy products and low saturated fat.
Adding six to eight glasses of water per day to the diet flushes out toxins and fat. Proper body weight aids in maintaining a lower blood pressure. The UMM reports that overweight individuals may have a higher likelihood of developing high blood pressure than their more slender counterparts. If you are unsure as to which weight loss program would be right for you, consult your doctor.
References
- "Prescriptions for Nutritional Healing"; Phyllis A. Balch; 2006
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Hypertension
- CDC
