Mailbag! Tired of High Blood Pressure Meds? Try THIS!
By
Dr. Scott Olson, ND
Posted July 13, 2021
I was wondering if you could give some advice about how to lower blood pressure naturally. I hate the side effects of my medication and would like to try something else.
–Norman from Rochester, NY
Norman,
Many people rightfully complain about the side effects of blood pressure medications. Whether it’s a persistent cough, muscle pain, or just fatigue, these meds can make life miserable.
Blood pressure is the measurement of the pressure inside your blood vessels. The reason there are two measurements (like 120/70) is because the pressure is higher when your heart beats, and lower when it relaxes. The lowest (diastolic) is the background pressure and the highest number (systolic) is the increased pressure that results from the beating of the heart.
You want both of those numbers to drop as close to 120/70 as possible. And thankfully, that’s fairly easy.
- Start with exercise and weight control. The best exercise is simply walking. Start easy and work your way up to as much as you can. I suggest people spend up to four hours a day standing or walking to avoid a sedentary lifestyle. If you’re carrying around any extra weight, drop it by eating good protein and low-sugar veggies. Avoid sugar and vegetable oils.
- Fish oil. Studies have shown that the omega-3 fatty acids found in fish oil work by reducing inflammation and softening up arteries so they stay flexible. I suggest you take between 1,000 and 3,000 milligrams a day.
- CoQ10 (Coenzyme Q10). This antioxidant/enzyme is found throughout our bodies and is used for energy production. Since our heart is one of the most energy-hungry organs in our bodies, it needs CoQ10. But CoQ10 goes beyond that. It’s also a powerful antioxidant that works both inside AND outside of the cells. CoQ10 lowers inflammation, reduces blood clots, and helps prevent skipped beats.
- Vitamin C. Remember that we are one of a few mammals that cannot produce their own vitamin C. If you don’t supplement, you don’t get enough of this vitamin, so add it to your list.
- Antioxidants. There are many antioxidants to choose from like vitamins A, C, E, and others, but I prefer the plant phytonutrients such as carotenoids, polyphenols, and flavonoids for great antioxidant protection. Examples include epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), resveratrol, Pycnogenol, olive leaf extract, curcumin, and others.
- Hawthorn. This is an herb that has long been used for heart health. It helps lower blood pressure while also strengthening the heart muscle. Hawthorn berries are full of flavonoids for extra antioxidant protection.
- Garlic. 1,000 milligrams of garlic extract have been shown to help lower blood pressure.
Remember: any changes to your blood pressure medications should be done with your health care practitioner. Stopping blood pressure drugs suddenly can cause many health issues, some of which can be life threatening.
Having said that, there are a lot of things you can do to help keep your blood pressure in a normal healthy range. I hope you can find a way that works for you, and gives you relief from side effects.
Dr. Scott Olson, ND
P.S. Have a health concern that’s worrying you? Click here to submit your questions and get featured in the weekly mailbag!
Written By Dr. Scott Olson, ND
Nearly 25 years ago, failed mainstream medical treatments left Dr. Olson in constant pain – and his health in ruins. And that’s when he did something REVOLUTIONARY. He began his career in medicine – and dedicated his life to uncovering the true, underlying causes of disease.
Through his innovative medical practices in Tennessee and Colorado, Dr. Olson has helped cure countless seniors from across America of arthritis… heart disease… diabetes… and even cancer. All without risky prescription drugs or painful surgeries.
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