Blood circulates through the blood vessels, like water passing through a hose. It is pushed around the body by the beating of the heart. If the blood is pumped at a pressure which is too high then it can cause damage to the blood vessels, potentially even causing them to burst. This is what happens when a person has a stroke.
WHAT IS HEALTHY BLOOD PRESSURE?
An ideal blood pressure reading is 120/80 – but what many people ask is, what does this actually mean?
The top figure in the blood pressure reading, known as the systolic blood pressure, is a measurement of how fast the blood is moving through the body when the heart has just beaten. It has just been pushed by the beat of the heart, so it will have a higher pressure.
The bottom figure is a measurement of how fast the blood is still circulating when the heart is still – thus it is a lower number. Over the years doctors have determined the ideal pressure for health is 120/80. The more we exceed this reading, the greater the risk of damage to the blood vessels.
DIET AND LIFESTYLE FACTORS
There are a number of diet and lifestyle factors which can impact the blood pressure.
NATURAL PRODUCTS TO SUPPORT HEALTHY BLOOD PRESSURE
BEETROOT
Research has been carried out using concentrated beetroot to see if it could naturally reduce blood pressure. A review of all these studies looked at the effects of beetroot supplements in over 254 people and concluded that beetroot supplements were associated with a significant reduction in systolic blood pressure.
CO-Q-10
It is used by every cell in the body to produce energy, so it is particularly important for the health of the heart and brain, as they need a lot of energy to function properly. A review of all these studies showed that it did appear to consistently reduce blood pressure in those who supplemented with at least 100mg CO-Q-10 each day.
NOTE: None of this information is meant to replace the medical advice provided by the doctor, nor is it intended that these supplements be used in place of any medications prescribed by the doctor.
These suggestions are intended for people who are wanting to take control of their blood pressure via dietary and natural means, before having to use medications. Any changes to diet and lifestyle, particularly if you are using medications, should be done after discussions with your doctor.
Written by Jenny Logan DNMed (Jenny is a nutritional therapist who has worked with clients in health food stores and private clinics for over 20 years).
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