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Who says we have to suffer...to live a healthy happy vibrant life?

Red wine and dark chocolate... might seem decadent...but these guilty pleasures also might help us live longer...and healthier lives. Red wine and dark chocolate definitely improve an evening..but they also contain resveratrol..which lowers blood sugar. Red wine is a great source of catechins..which boost protective HDL cholesterol. Green tea? Protects your brain..helps you live longer..and soothes your spirit.

Food for Thought, the blog, is about living the good life...a life we create with our thoughts and our choices...and having fun the whole while!

I say lets make the thoughts good ones..and let the choices be healthy...exciting...and delicious! Bon Appetit!

Friday, March 17, 2017

Natural Approaches for Healthy Blood Pressure


 Are you on hypertension medications? If so you might want to try complimenting them with natural nutritional support. You may even with your doctor’s blessing, be able to reduce your doses. Here are some nutrients and or foods that support the effects of common classes of antihypertensive medications.


Angiotensin Converting Enzyme Inhibitors:

       Melatonin
       Omega-3 fats EPA/DHA
       Pomegranate
       Pycnogenol
       Zinc
       Hawthorne berry
       Foods: egg yolk, fish (sardines, tuna), fish sauce, garlic, gelatin, kelp, wakame

Angiotensin receptor blockers:

       GLA
       NAC
       Co Q 10
       Oleic acid
       Resveratrol
       Potassium
       Taurine
       Vit C
       B-6
       Foods: celery, fiber, garlic, Olive oil

Beta Blockers
       Hawthorne Berry

Calcium Channel Blockers

       Alpha Lipoic Acid
       Calcium
       Magnesium
       NAC
       Oleic acid
       Omega-3s EPA DHA
       Taurine
       B-6
       Vit C, Vit E, Hawthorne Berry
       Foods: celery, garlic, Olive oil

Central Alpha Agonists (reduce sympathetic NS activity)

       CoQ10
       GLA
       Potassium ( restrict sodium)
       Taurine
       Vit C
       B-6
       Zinc
       Foods: celery, fiber, garlic, protein

All of this will be much more effective if you also walk and exercise regularly. Exercise is one of the best things you can do to lower high blood pressure.
Regular exercise helps make your heart stronger and more efficient at pumping blood, which lowers the pressure in your arteries.
In fact, 150 minutes of moderate exercise, such as walking, or 75 minutes of vigorous exercise, such as running, per week can help lower blood pressure and improve your heart health.

You’ll also want to watch your sodium intake. And focus on eating more potassium rich foods which include fresh fruits and vegetables. Limiting alcohol is important. Drinking alcohol in any quantity may raise your blood pressure. Limit your drinking to no more than one drink a day for women, two for men. Also get a handle on stress. Chronic stress can contribute to high blood pressure. Finding ways to manage stress can help.

Get to a healthy weight. Losing weight can significantly lower high blood pressure. This effect is even greater when you exercise.

Cut out sugar and refined carbs. Refined carbs, especially sugar, may raise blood pressure. Some studies have shown that low-carb diets may help reduce your levels.

Take Co-Q-10 and Magnesium. Co-Q-10 is important for normal blood pressure. Take at least 100 mg daily. Magnesium is an important mineral that helps regulate blood pressure. Take a supplement at dinner and another at bedtime for a great nights sleep. Find magnesium in whole foods, such as legumes and whole grains.


And take EPA+DHA Omega-3s. 1000 to 1500 mg daily is the best level to ensure you have ideal blood levels.