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Vitamins For High Blood Pressure
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Folic acid Vitamin C and Vitamin E play important
role in controling high blood pressure.
Folic acid is a B-complex vitamin found naturally in leafy green vegetables, citrus fruits, and
lentils. Folic acid, also known as folate, can also be found in vitamin supplements and fortified
foods such as breads and breakfast cereals. Folate is a B vitamin necessary for formation of red
blood cells. It may help to lower high blood pressure in some people, possibly by reducing elevated
homocysteine levels.One small study of 24 cigarette smokers found that four weeks of folic acid
supplementation significantly lowered blood pressure. Several large studies have examined the role
of folic acid in the prevention of high blood pressure and found that it provides some benefit in
reducing risk of the condition. While the exact role is unclear, it may help maintain the
flexibility of arteries and other blood vessels or help blood pressure receptors make more accurate
blood pressure adjustments. The most widely discussed study on folic acid and blood pressure is the
Nurses' Health Study II, which was published in 2005 by researchers from Harvard Medical School.
This study found that women who consumed at least 1000 micrograms of folate per day were about 25
percent less likely to develop high blood pressure than women who consumed less than 200 micrograms
per day. Earlier studies have looked at lower doses of folic acid and found that doses beyond 800
micrograms per day do not appear to provide any additional benefit. Many prepared cereals, canned
goods, and breads are fortified with the nutrient. Green leafy vegetables and legumes (beans) are
the best natural sources of folic acid. Some wise choices:
Cauliflower: 1 Cup = 180 micrograms
Lentils: 1 Cup, boiled = 386 micrograms
Chickpeas: 1 Cup, boiled = 282 micrograms
Spinach: 1 Cup, raw = 210 micrograms
Lettuce: 1 Cup = 156 micrograms
The lower the serum vitamin C level, the higher the blood pressure in persons suffering from
hypertension. Whether this is due to dietary habits or a blood pressure lowering effect of vitamin
C has yet to be determined.Vitamins C and E are antioxidants, compounds that neutralize
cell-damaging free radicals. Recent studies have shown that antioxidants may help to reduce high
blood pressure (hypertension), possibly by protecting the body's supply of nitric oxide (NO), a
molecule that relaxes blood vessels.Antioxidants are powerful regulators of blood pressure and
studies show that multiple types of antioxidants found in a diet heavy in fruit and vegetables,
could help mitigate high blood pressure (Hypertension). hypertension is a highly complex disorder
that can arise from a number of causes, nitric oxide (NO) and oxidative stress play a major role in
regulating blood pressure
Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) is an essential component of the metabolic processes involved in energy
production. Individuals with cardiovascular disease (including hypertension, angina and congestive
heart failure) often are deficient in CoQ10 and require increased tissue levels of CoQ10. Clinical
studies have indicated that CoQ10 is of considerable benefit in the treatment of hypertension and
other cardiovascular disease.
While folic acid Vitamin C and Vitamin E are important part
of a healthy high blood pressure diet, these are onle few components. Healthy eating is one of
the most important steps towards the prevention of high blood pressure, and overall balance is
the key
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