More than 30 percent of adults in the United States have high blood pressure, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Known as the "silent killer" because it doesn't usually cause any symptoms, high blood pressure increases your risk of some leading causes of death, such as heart disease and stroke. The condition is often preventable through lifestyle changes and diet, such as taking Kyolic® garlic supplement. But seek advice from your doctor before taking any supplements to control your pressure.
Risk Factors for High Blood Pressure
Altering your diet when you're at risk of developing high blood pressure can prevent you from getting the full-blown condition. You may already know that you're at risk if you've been diagnosed with pre-hypertension, which means your blood pressure is higher than normal but not high enough to be considered hypertension. Factors that make you more likely to have high blood pressure include a sedentary lifestyle, being overweight or obese, having an immediate family member with the condition and consuming a diet rich in fat, carbohydrates and salt.
What Is Kyolic Garlic?
Kyolic odorless aged garlic extract comes from garlic cultivated under strictly regulated organic conditions without herbicides, chemical fertilizers or pesticides. Once picked, the garlic cloves are cleaned and sliced and stored in stainless steel tanks to undergo natural aging for up to 20 months. The aging process helps to stabilize the organosulfur compounds in garlic, including the amino acids that contain sulfur and make it beneficial for treating high blood pressure. Aging also helps to minimize the odor that can give you "garlic breath."
How Garlic Helps
One of the sulfur-containing compounds in Kyolic garlic, allicin, is a powerful antioxidant. Allicin can lower blood pressure in rats as effectively as the ACE inhibitor, enalapril, according to James A. Duke, a botanist and author of "The Green Pharmacy Guide to Healing Foods." Allicin increases the elasticity of blood vessels, which helps them to dilate more readily and allow a freer flow of blood. Other nutrients in garlic, such as potassium, vitamin C and calcium, are also beneficial for reducing blood pressure.
Taking Kyolic Garlic for Hypertension
Due to the serious health complications that high blood pressure can cause, consult your doctor before taking Kyolic garlic as part of your treatment plan, which may include medication and regular exercise. The supplement is available in a variety of forms, including capsules, extract and liquid form. It also comes in combination with other supplements for treating high blood pressure and cardiovascular problems, such as curcumin and cranberry. In general, adults can take between 600 and 1,200 mg of aged garlic extract daily in divided doses, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. But your doctor can make the best dosage recommendation for Kyolic garlic. Do not exceed the recommended dose.
References
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: High Blood Pressure Facts
- Kyolic Aged Garlic Extract: Aging Makes The Finest Garlic Truly Odorless
- "The Green Pharmacy Guide to Healing Foods"; James A. Duke, Ph.D.; 2008
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Garlic
