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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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