Celery Seed Extract: A Natural Calcium Channel Blocker

Celery Seed Extract: A Natural Calcium Channel Blocker

Celery is a simple food with a complex chemical makeup. Studies show that celery seed components produce a relaxing, dilating effect that lowers blood pressure. This appears to occur, at least in part, by blocking or antagonizing the flow of calcium into muscle cells lining blood vessels—similar to the action performed by calcium channel blocking drugs.^7,24,25 One key blood pressure-lowering compound in celery seeds has the technical name of L-3-n-butylphthalide, abbreviated as 3nB.^26,27

 

3nB has been used in a number of studies for the management of vascular diseases in the brain, such as stroke and vascular dementia.^26,28,29 And even now, a synthetic form of 3nB is being developed as a drug in China for the treatment of cerebral ischemic stroke and mild cognitive impairment as well as for the prevention of Alzheimer’s disease—all of which have components of abnormalities in blood flow.^26,30-33

 

Animal and lab studies reveal that 3nB-rich extracts of celery seeds produce blood pressure reductions of up to 38 mm Hg in hypertensive rats (this effect was not seen in those with normal blood pressures).²⁷ Animal studies also demonstrate that celery seed extract has no significant toxic effects even at very high doses.³⁴

 

A human study demonstrating the effectiveness of a celery seed extract standardized to 85% 3nB recently appeared in the Natural Medicine Journal.⁹ For the study, 30 middle-aged patients with mild-to-moderate hypertension took 75 mg doses of a celery seed extract twice daily for six weeks. To obtain an equivalent amount of 3nB, one would have to consume approximately 530 stalks (nearly 50 pounds) of celery. 

Mean blood pressures at baseline were 139.4/85.4 mm Hg. At three weeks, they fell to 134.8/80.9, and at six weeks they fell to 131.2/76.9. This represents total drops of 8.2 mm Hg systolic and 8.5 diastolic from baseline. 

Of great importance, while pharmacological calcium channel blockers and ACE inhibitors are known to reduce blood flow to the brain—which can leave patients feeling tired, depressed, dizzy, or forgetful—celery seed extracts rich in 3nB appear to improve brain blood flow, prevent stroke, and may protect brain cells and enhance their energy consumption.^9,30,33,35

^{Sources: http://www.lef.org/Magazine/2014/10/Two-Natural-Plant-Extracts-Lower-Blood-Pressure/Page-01} 

Current Treatments For Hypertension

Current Treatments For Hypertension

Numerous recent, large, randomized clinical trials have indicated that treating hypertension in older adults can reduce the risk of kidney disease, stroke, and cardiovascular events.¹⁰ Unfortunately, bringing blood pressure down to healthy levels is easier said than done. Many clinicians start therapy with a mild diuretic (“water pill”) at low doses, then gradually increase doses until either blood pressure is controlled or the maximum dose is reached.¹⁰

 

However, nearly 75% of patients do not get adequate blood pressure control on a single drug, which means a second medication is often necessary.¹¹ This process may continue until a person finds himself or herself on three, four, or more drugs.^2,11,12

 

A frequently prescribed class of antihypertensives used today are the angiotensin II receptor blockers. These drugs block the angiotensin II receptor and often induce more profound and sustained blood pressure control than older classes of medications. However, there are side effect risks associated with angiotensin II receptor blocker drugs. In some individuals, angiotensin II receptor blockers can cause an increase in potassium and changes in kidney function. Also, do not take angiotensin receptor blockers if you are pregnant or plan on becoming pregnant because this class of medication can cause harm to the fetus. 

One of the most commonly used approaches to treating hypertension involves the combination of two drugs: an ACE inhibitor and a calcium channel blocker.^2,3 A large 2013 study demonstrated that for most people, this combination was more effective at reducing cardiovascular consequences of hypertension than using either drug with a diuretic.¹³ This combination also demonstrated the greatest probability of reducing death.¹⁴

 

Here’s how the combination drug therapy works. 

Angiotensin converting enzyme, or ACE, is a natural enzyme in the body that activates the hormone angiotensin, which causes blood vessels to constrict, thus increasing blood pressure.¹⁵ Inhibiting ACE can return blood pressure to lower levels. ACE inhibitors alone, however, are not always entirely effective, which is why doctors often combine them with a second drug called a calcium channel blocker.¹⁶

 

Calcium channel blockers lower blood pressure by a different mechanism than ACE inhibitors. They prevent the entry of calcium ions into muscle cells in the arterial wall. Since calcium ions are a major signal telling those cells to contract and raise muscle tone in the artery, blocking calcium influx into the cells will prevent contraction and lower blood pressure.¹⁷

 

Use of the combination of an ACE inhibitor and a calcium channel blocker has become one of the mainstays of modern pharmacological blood pressure control, since the two drugs act in parallel, but different ways. Unfortunately, as is usually the case, both drugs bring with them side effects.^17,18

Scientists have discovered two natural ingredients that work in ways similar to mainstream drugs, but without the numerous side effects. Olive leaf extract and celery seed extract act as ACE inhibitors and calcium channel blockers, respectively.^6,7 Each has been shown in clinical studies to lower blood pressure. 

Sources: http://www.lef.org/Magazine/2014/10/Two-Natural-Plant-Extracts-Lower-Blood-Pressure/Page-01

Insomnia Triples Risk of Heart Failure

The risk of developing heart failure tripes for people who suffer from insomnia.

The finding came from a new study, the largest yet to examine the association, and was published in the European Heart Journal.

Previous research suggested that insomniacs have a moderately higher risk of having a heart attack (27 to 45% greater) than people who rarely have problems sleeping.

The new investigation involved 54,279 people between the ages of 20 and 89 who were followed for an average of over 11 years.

Results showed that the participants who experienced three insomnia symptoms were over 3 times more likely to develop heart failure compared to those with no symptoms of insomnia.

Heart failure risk linked to 3 important symptoms

The risk of heart failure was associated with three critical insomnia symptoms:

• trouble falling asleep
• problem staying asleep
• not waking up feeling refreshed in the morning

More research is needed to determine a casual relationship

Although an association was shown between insomnia and an elevated risk of heart failure, the study did not demonstrate a cause-and-effect relationship.

"We do not know whether heart failure is really caused by insomnia," Dr Laugsand said. However, he added, if it is, it is possible to treat insomnia by strategies including following simple suggestions regarding sleeping habits, commonly known as sleep hygiene, and many psychological and pharmacological therapies.

Assessment of sleep issues may offer further details that could be used to prevent heart failure. More studies would be necessary to determine whether or not insomnia causes the condition.

Read more at ...........Medical News Today

Copyright: Medical News Today
Written by Sarah Glynn

Sources: http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/257311.php?sr

'Insomnia may increase the risk of stroke,' researchers say

According to the American Academy of Sleep Medicine, around 30% of the US population has insomnia. Now, as if having difficulty getting to sleep is not enough, new research suggests that insomniacs are at much higher risk of stroke than those without the sleep disorder.
 
The research team, including Ya-Wen Hsu of the Chia Nan University of Pharmacy and Science and the Department of Medical Research at Chi-Mei Medical Center, both in Taiwan, recently published their study in Stroke - a journal of the American Heart Association.
To reach their findings, the investigators analyzed randomly selected medical records of more than 21,000 people with insomnia in Taiwan, alongside the health records of 64,000 individuals without the disorder. All participants were followed-up for 4 years.
At the end of the follow-up period, individuals with insomnia were divided into different groups:

Researchers found that insomniacs, particularly those aged between 18 and 35 years at diagnosis, have a much higher stroke risk than those without the sleep disorder.

• Chronic or persistent insomnia (lasting 1 to 6 months)
• Relapse insomnia (return of insomnia after being free of the condition for more than 6 months at any evaluation point in the study), and
• Remission insomnia (a change from a diagnosis of insomnia to non-insomnia at any point during the study period).

Stroke risk highest among younger insomniacs

 

The researchers found that, throughout the follow-up period, 583 people with insomnia were admitted to the hospital as a result of stroke, while 962 individuals without insomnia were admitted for stroke.
Relative to the number of study participants, the researchers found that individuals with insomnia had a 54% increased risk of hospitalization for stroke, compared with non-insomniacs. Insomniacs who were diagnosed with the disorder between 18 and 35 years old were eight times more likely to be hospitalized for stroke than those without insomnia.
A higher 3-year cumulative incidence of stroke was found in people with persistent insomnia, compared with those in the remission group.
The investigators also found that insomniacs with diabetes had a higher risk of stroke than those without diabetes.

Although the research team says it is not fully clear as to why insomnia may increase stroke risk, past research has suggested that the sleep disorder can interfere with cardiovascular health by causing inflammation, increasing blood pressure and impairing glucose levels.
They add that certain behaviors - such as diet, exercise, alcohol use and smoking - could also influence the association between insomnia and stroke risk, as well as stress.

'Insomnia should be treated earlier to prevent future disease risk'

Since this study was conducted using participants from Taiwan, it is unclear as to whether the findings apply to other populations. However, the researchers note that studies from other countries have reported a similar link between insomnia and stroke.
"Though insomnia is the most common sleep complaint, it should not be perceived merely as a symptom of another disease," Hsu told Medical News Today. "Rather, it should be identified and treated earlier in clinical settings to prevent future disease risk."
However, he told us that although insomnia is a common problem, the results should not cause public panic regarding future stroke risk.
"Rather, we would like to point out that the patients or general population should pay more attention to their insomnia patterns overtime," he added. "If persistence of insomnia is found, they should seek early treatment to reduce their future risks of stroke."
Other studies have also suggested a link between insomnia and cardiovascular health. Medical News Today recently reported on a study suggesting that daylight savings in spring - when we lose an hour of sleep - may increase the risk of cardiac events, while another study indicates that symptoms of insomnia are associated with higher risk of death from heart-related problems.

Written by Honor Whiteman

Sources: http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/274985.php?sr