High blood pressure (hypertension) and orthomolecular nutrition
When we talk about hypertension, we usually mean so-called "arterial hypertension", i.e. a clinical picture in which the pressure within the blood vessels is permanently increased.
Chronically elevated means a systolic blood pressure of over 140 and/or a diastolic blood pressure of over 90.
Table of contents:
Causes of high blood pressure
The causes of high blood pressure can be hormonal in nature, result from kidney damage or be caused by disorders of the cardiovascular system. However, the vast majority of diseases are caused by unknown factors.
Hypertension is considered the greatest risk factor for cardiovascular disease (stroke, heart attack, etc.) alongside diabetes, hypercholesterolaemia and smoking.
Measures to reduce high blood pressure
In addition to basic measures such as exercise, weight loss, cessation of cigarette consumption and others, diet plays a very important role in the treatment of hypertension. Those who do not want to resort directly to (lifelong) medication can be helped by the use of orthomolecular vital substances.
 |
 |
 |
While the effects of a reduction in table salt on blood pressure are not considered certain (but appear to make sense biochemically), it has been proven that potassium in the form of potassium citrate can lower blood pressure.
The same applies to Arginine (as the only precursor of nitric oxide) and omega-3 fatty acids, which cause vasodilation, among other things. However, care should be taken here to ensure that L-arginine base and not arginine HCL is used, as it is less easily absorbed by the body.
Furthermore, the so-called flavonoids - among the secondary plant substances - should also be mentioned. These include oligomeric proanthocyanidins, which achieve their effect by inhibiting platelet function, vasodilatation, inhibition of reactive oxygen species-forming enzymes and other mechanisms. Magnesium, selenium, taurine, ubiquinone, lycopene, vitamins C, D, E and B vitamins also play a key role in the regulation of blood pressure. You can read more about this topic in our blog post: "Lowering blood pressure: what helps?".
