The Dangers Of High Blood Pressure

The Dangers Of High Blood Pressure

 

Hypertension is classified as blood pressure greater than 139/89 mm Hg. 

It is now reported that once you are older than 50, a systolic (top number) blood pressure higher than 140 mm Hg is a greater cardiovascular risk factor than diastolic (bottom number) pressure.⁴² As blood pressure increases, cardiovascular disease risk rises rapidly. Beginning at 115/75, risk doubles for each additional 20/10 mm Hg rise. Even among those with normal pressures at age 55, the lifetime risk for developing hypertension is 90%.⁴²

Although the consequences of untreated hypertension take time to develop, they are deadly when they arise and can include coronary artery disease, heart failure, and atrial fibrillation, a common arrhythmia.⁴⁵

 

There is now evidence that cardiac disease related to hypertension has its origins early in life.⁴⁵ Arterial stiffening, occurring with age and advancing atherosclerosis, is a major underlying cause of adult hypertension, especially so-called “isolated systolic hypertension,” in which only the systolic (top) number in the measurement is elevated.⁴⁶ Stiff arteries create “back pressure” on the heart, which not only further raises blood pressure, but also puts extreme stress on the heart muscle, leading eventually to heart failure, coronary artery disease, stroke, vascular dementia, and chronic kidney disease.⁴⁶

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

 

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

Natural Extracts Lower Blood Pressure

Olive Leaf Extract: A Natural ACE Inhibitor

Extracts from leaves of the olive tree (Olea europaea) contain compounds known as secoiridoid glycosides.⁶ When ingested, these substances break down into molecules with the ability to inhibit angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) and its harmful effects on blood vessels.^6,19 Studies now show that olive leaf extract is effective at lowering blood pressure, just as would be expected from an ACE inhibitor.²⁰

 

In preclinical trials, researchers found that when they gave rats an olive leaf extract at the same time as hypertension-inducing chemicals, it prevented them from developing experimentally induced hypertension.²¹ Similarly, in rats that had already been hypertensive for six weeks, administration of olive leaf extract normalized blood pressure, even when the rats continued receiving the hypertension-inducing chemical.²¹ Animal studies have also shown that olive leaf extract is effective at reducing the signs of metabolic syndrome, a major cardiovascular risk factor.²²

 

Human studies have been extremely encouraging as well. A cleverly designed human trial using identical twins demonstrated the antihypertensive effects of olive leaf extract, with one twin serving as a control.⁸ Treated twins received either 500 or 1,000 mg/day of the extract while the other received advice regarding a “favorable lifestyle.” 

After eight weeks, compared to their controls, twins taking 500 mg/day saw an average drop in systolic pressure of 6 mm Hg, while the twins taking 1,000 mg/day saw an average drop in systolic pressure of 13 mm Hg. In the group taking the higher dose, blood pressure fell from an average of 137/80 at baseline to 126/76 after eight weeks and LDL cholesterol was also reduced. 

Olive leaf extract was recently compared directly with the ACE inhibitor captopril in patients with Stage I hypertension and it was found to be almost equally as effective.²⁰ The extract dose was fixed at 500 mg twice daily for the eight weeks of the study, while captopril dosing started at 12.5 mg twice daily, and increased to 25 mg twice daily if needed for blood pressure control. 

At the end of the study, both groups experienced significant reductions in systolic and diastolic blood pressure as compared to baseline. The olive leaf extract group experienced a mean systolic blood pressure reduction of 11.5 mm Hg, while the captopril group reduced systolic blood pressure by 13.7 mm Hg. Diastolic pressures fell 4.8 mm Hg in the olive leaf extract group and 6.4 mm Hg in the captopril group. The differences between groups were not statistically significant.²⁰

 

In addition, triglyceride levels fell significantly from baseline in the olive leaf supplemented group but not in the drug group. This important study showed that olive leaf extract was similar in effect to the ACE-inhibiting drug, but with the added benefit of triglyceride reduction. 

A subsequent human study showed that olive leaf extract could also improve insulin sensitivity by 15% in overweight middle-aged men, an important step in further reducing cardiovascular risk.²³ It also led to a 28% improvement in pancreatic responses to blood sugar. 

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

How to Replace Painkillers with Natural Spices

It's easy to reach for the painkillers automatically at the first signs of pain, but the natural world is an abundant resource for anti-inflammatory herbs. Some of the spices you use on a regular basis can be consumed and applied to areas of pain to provide relief from discomfort.


Pain is a side effect of many conditions, complaints, and general ailments, and - needless to say - it's uncomfortable. Whether pain is internal or external, even in mild cases it causes a distraction, and in severe cases, pain is debilitating and all-consuming. In relying on quick-fix painkillers to relieve discomfort, many people in today's society are unknowingly overlooking the medicinal resources the natural world has to offer. Studies have shown that some of the world's most popular spices have anti-inflammatory and analgesic abilities that are superior to pharmaceutical drugs in providing pain relief, often without adverse side effects.

1. Cayenne (Capsicum annuum)

Cayenne pepper is a spice that is most famous for giving curries their heat, but it also possesses significant pain-relieving properties, too. Capsaicin, present in the pulp and flesh, can be used in an herbal poultice and applied topically to the site of pain, causing immediate heat, followed by a period of desensitized nerve endings, which reduces pain for several weeks.
The herb can also be consumed in capsule form. When consumed orally, cayenne reduces substance P - the chemical that sends pain messages to the brain. The topical and oral use of cayenne has been found to be particularly effective in treating shingles, back pain, and relieving joint pain in arthritis.

2. Ginger (Zingiber officinale)

Ginger is a spice with a host of medicinal abilities, perhaps its most important being its anti-inflammatory ones, which studies suggest are greater - and better for the body - than popular pharmaceutical choices like acetaminophen. It works to relieve pain in two ways: by blocking inflammatory compounds, such as prostaglandin and leukotriene, and by breaking down existing inflammation and acidity. This works externally, when ginger root is used to make a poultice to apply to the site of pain; and orally, as an herbal infusion to relieve gastrointestinal and menstrual pain internally.

3. Licorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra)

Licorice is an anti-inflammatory herb that grows wild in Europe and Asia. It contains compounds that taste extremely sweet, and it is easy to source edible licorice from convenience stores and wholesalers to ingest orally. Licorice is especially effective in relieving ulcer pain; studies have found it to have a reductive effect on the diameter of ulcer inflammation.

4. Turmeric (Curcuma longa)

Turmeric is related to ginger and has a similar golden appearance, though turmeric is bitter and less palatable than its sweeter relative. Turmeric root has significant anti-inflammatory abilities, which studies have found superior to ibuprofen in effectiveness, particularly in relation to arthritic pain, which can be relieved by applying the spice ground into a paste to the skin. Turmeric can also be consumed to relieve internal pain as a tea or liquid extract.
It's easy to overlook the pain-relieving resources that are stocked in your kitchen cupboards or growing in your own herb garden when you are used to reaching for pharmaceutical painkillers at the first signs of pain. Herbs have been used for pain relief for centuries, and the benefits of using all-natural painkillers are many - effectiveness, convenience, and affordability, to name but a few.

Bibliography:

• Bode, A.M. & Dong, Z. (2011). The Amazing and Mighty Ginger. In: Herbal Medicine: Biomolecular and Clinical Aspects. 2nd ed. Retrieved from http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK92775/
• Chrubasik, S. , Weiser, T. & Beime, B. (2010). Effectiveness and safety of topical capsaicin cream in the treatment of chronic soft tissue pain. Phytotherapy research, 24(12), 1877-1885. doi: 10.1002/ptr.3335
• Moghadamnia, A.A. , Motallebnejad, M. & Khanian, M. (2009). The efficacy of bioadhesive patches containing licorice extract in the management of recurrent apthous stomatitis. Phytotherapy research, 23(2), 246-250. doi: 10.1002/ptr.2601
• National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine. (2012). Turmeric. Retrieved March 27, 2014, from http://nccam.nih.gov/health/turmeric/ataglance.htm
• University of Maryland Medical Center. (2013). Cayenne. Retrieved March 27, 2014, from http://umm.edu/health/medical/altmed/herb/cayenne
  
  Sources: http://www.herbazest.com/wellness_articles /how_to_replace_painkillers_with_natural_spices
  

Natural Remedies For Urinary Infections

Have you suffered from urinal tract infections? If you have than you know this unbearable pain.
Infections can be caused from using unhygienic toilets, from sexual intercourse and from withholding the need to urinate.


There are some precautions to stop these infections like drinking lots of water, avoiding sexual intercourse with different partners etc. There are some homemade remedies for curing bacterial infections and they will help you get rid of the pain.

1. Consuming a lot of vitamin C

Drinking fruit juices than contain lots of pineapple and other citrus like fruits (lemons, oranges etc) are a good way to get vitamin c in your body. Water is the best remedy for these diseases , so by drinking lots of it you can get rid of bacteria in your urinal system and be relieved. Cranberry is good for curing these kinds of diseases, even pregnant women can use it .

2. Avoiding coffee, tea and chocolate drinks.

Mix plants such as cinnamon, bearberry, blueberries, they all are good homemade remedies for curing urinal infections.

3. Barley , coconut milk and buttermilk

All these ingredients are good for these kinds of problems. Boiled barley is the best diuretic that neutralizes the acidity in the urinary bladder.

4. Echinacea

The Echinacea plant has the power to kill bacteria causing infections. To get rid of these infections drink tea made from this plant. Echinacea capsules and drugs are also good for treatment. Avoid adding sugar in the tea.

5. Other plants

Other plants such as barberry and garlic are good for killing bacteria. Drinking a glass of juice made from these plants will gradually heal a burning sensation and infections in the urinary bladder.

Sources: http://healthyfoodandherbs.com/natural-remedies-for-urinary-infections/#more-59