High blood pressure is a condition that occurs when blood pumping through your circulatory system places greater-than-necessary pressure on the walls of your arteries and blood vessels. This causes your heart to work harder than necessary to provide the tissues and organs of your body with blood, according to Dr. James Balch and Mark Stengler, authors of "Prescription for Natural Cures." Flaxseeds, which are rich sources of dietary fiber and omega-3 fatty acids, may help clear blockages that restrict blood flow and raise blood pressure.
Step 1
Grind whole, raw flaxseeds in a coffee grinder. This gives the seeds a consistency similar to wheat flour, and makes them easier to digest.
Step 2
Add 1 tbsp. to 2 tbsp. ground flaxseeds in stir-fry dishes and casseroles. Sprinkle the flax seeds on these foods when cooking is nearly complete to preserve the blood pressure-lowering nutrients. Flaxseeds add a slightly nutty taste to these foods.
Step 3
Sprinkle ground flaxseeds on top of cooked oatmeal instead of topping it with sugar. Like flaxseeds, oatmeal is an abundant source of dietary fiber, which may help lower cholesterol and remove fatty deposits in your arteries that can contribute to high blood pressure.
Step 4
Use flaxseed in beverages. Add 1 tbsp. ground flaxseed to 8 oz. fresh fruit or vegetable juice, and place the mixture in a blender. Blend until smooth. Add 4 oz. of soy milk or skim milk before blending to boost the protein content and give your drink a smoothie-like consistency.
Step 5
Top dessert items, such as ice cream, pies or brownies, with ground flaxseeds. The nutty flavor of these seeds complements the sweetness of desserts.
Tips and Warnings
- Use flax oil instead of ground flaxseeds if you dislike the texture of the seeds. Flax oil offers the same blood pressure-lowering benefits of flaxseeds, but some people find the oil more palatable. Store flaxseeds in an airtight container in a dark place. Prolonged exposure to air or sunlight may cause these seeds to turn rancid.
Things You'll Need
- Flaxseeds
- Coffee grinder
- Blender
References
- "Prescription for Natural Cures"; James F. Balch, M.D., and Mark Stengler, N.D.; 2004
- "The Flax Cookbook"; Elaine Magee; 2003
