Grape Seed Resveratrol and Pomegranate Significantly Lower Blood Pressure

Adults aged 55 and older face a lifetime risk of developing elevated blood pressure greater than 90%, accounting for more than 40 million doctor visits each year and taxing an already overburdened healthcare system. Uncontrolled blood pressure slowly degrades the vascular system throughout the body and takes a particular toll on the kidneys, eyes and delicate arteries around the heart and in the brain.

Small increases in blood pressure place an individual at dramatically increased risk from heart attack, stroke, kidney failure and blindness. Researchers focusing on the antioxidant capacity of grape seed, resveratrol and pomegranate found that regular consumption of these foods can effectively reduce blood pressure without the need for dangerous prescription drugs.

Natural Fruit Polyphenols Lower Cellular Stress and Blood Pressure

Oxidative stress is a significant factor leading to accelerated damage from hypertension. Excess stress prompts changes to the hormone angiotensin that is known to impact blood pressure through an intricate mechanism of vessel and arterial constriction. Natural agents that can lower dangerous levels of cellular oxidative stress are considered paramount to lowering blood pressure in susceptible individuals.

ACE (angiotensin-converting enzyme)-inhibitors are among the most popular prescription medications prescribed to negate the effect of the angiotensin hormone, and create a life of misery for many due to the myriad of side effects inherent with this class of drug. Recent research shows that artificially lowering blood pressure with drugs has virtually no effect on cardiovascular disease risk, compared to lowering readings with natural fruit polyphenols, diet and physical activity.

Study Shows That Grape Seed Extract and Resveratrol Can Effectively Lower Blood Pressure

Writing in the journal Metabolism, nutritional scientists compared the effect of grape seed extract and resveratrol on subjects with metabolic syndrome. Three groups were divided to receive either grape seed extract (GSE) at a dose of 150 mg per day, GSE at 300 mg per day or a placebo. After 4 weeks, both GSE supplemented groups experienced systolic blood pressure drops of 5 to 7 percent. This change was considered significant as no other dietary or lifestyle interventions were followed. Researchers believe that GSE and grape-derived compounds including resveratrol can be used to prevent and treat hypertension based on the potent antioxidant load delivered by the fruit extracts.

Pomegranates effectively lower blower blood pressure in a manner similar to GSE and resveratrol as the juice and extracts contain powerful polyphenols that counteract oxidative stress. This magical fruit also is found to lower circulating levels of the angiotensin hormone that can help blood vessels to relax. The result of a study published in the journal Atherosclerosis demonstrated that consumption of pomegranate juice (50 ml per day for 2 weeks) lowered ACE activity by 36%, leading to a 5% drop in systolic blood pressure.

It should come as no surprise to those following a natural health lifestyle that the key to controlling blood pressure and reducing the risk factors that promote cardiovascular disease are not found in a prescription bottle. Fruits such as the pomegranate and formulated natural extracts from red grape skins and seeds deliver powerful health benefits without any of the associated side effects of synthesized pharmaceuticals.

Yogurt May Moderate Post meal Blood Sugar

Researchers at the University of Massachusetts Amherst analyzed samples of dairy and soy yogurts. They found ...

" ...that fruit-enriched yogurts - especially those made with blueberries or made from soy - contain active natural compounds that may curb some aspects of diabetes."

Specifically, the yogurts inhibited the action of two enzymes, α-amylase and α-glucosidase, which break down carbohydrates into a form that is easily absorbed. The result is a reduced spike in blood glucose following a meal.

The researchers also found that soy yogurts acted as ACE inhibitors, stalling the action of Angiotensin-I converting enzyme or ACE-I, an enzyme responsible for constricting blood vessels and contributing to high blood pressure.

The study will appear in the December issue of the Journal of Food Biochemistry.

________
For a summary of the study:
Fruit Yogurt Could Play Important Role in Diabetes Management, UMass Amherst Scientists Report

For the study (abstract):
Potential of Select Yogurts for Diabetes and Hypertension Management

Are Your Blood Sugars High in the Morning

Two common reasons for this are the Dawn Phenomenon and the Somogyi Effect:

Dawn Phenomenon

Every human being experiences the Dawn Phenomenon. While we sleep, usually around 3-8 AM, glucose is released in response to the stimulus of some hormones in order to repair and maintain our body. These hormones are growth hormone, cortisol, glucagon, and epinephrine (also called adrenalin), which are also known as counterregulatory hormones, since they have the opposite effect of insulin: they cause glucose levels to rise.
- About.com - The Dawn Phenomenon and the Somogyi Effect

Somogyi Effect

The Somogyi Effect happens when your blood glucose levels are high in the morning due to hypoglycemia (low blood glucose levels) overnight. [Low blood sugars can occur when there is extra insulin in the body.] This is also called rebound hyperglycemia, since your body reacts to low blood glucose levels by increasing the release of glucose from muscles, liver and fat, theore causing hyperglycemia.
- About.com - The Dawn Phenomenon and the Somogyi Effect

How Can You Tell the Difference?

• If the blood sugar level is low at 2 a.m. to 3 a.m., suspect the Somogyi effect.
  
• If the blood sugar level is normal or high at 2 a.m. to 3 a.m., its likely the dawn phenomenon.
  - A-Z Health Guide from WebMD: Dawn phenomenon and the Somogyi effect

What Can You Do?

Once you and your doctor determine the cause, there are a number of options. These include changing the time, the type, or the amount of insulin you take, making adjustments to your evening snack, or switching to an insulin pump.

________
Resources:
About.com - The Dawn Phenomenon and the Somogyi Effect

A-Z Health Guide from WebMD: Dawn phenomenon and the Somogyi effect

WebMD - Diabetes: Morning High Blood Sugar Levels

CoQ10 Can Lower High Blood Pressure to Prevent Congestive Heart Failure

Reporting in the journal Biofactors, researchers found that patients with congestive heart failure that were supplemented with the active form of coenzyme Q10 (ubiquinol) improved ejection fraction by 39%. Ejection fraction is a critical marker of heart function used to determine the volume of blood pumped by the heart through the vascular system.

CoQ10 is essential to convert nutrients to energy and power the cellular engine, and natural production in the body declines with age. Extensive research explains how you can benefit from daily supplementation with this powerful co-enzyme to restore healthy energy balance and prevent age-related heart disease.

CoQ10 Improves Quality of Life for Heart Failure Patients

The study conducted at the East Texas Medical Center and Trinity Mother Francis Hospital focused on patients with advanced congestive heart failure that were classified as Stage IV, the most severe form of the disease. Patients were supplemented with 580 mg of the ubiquinol form of coenzyme Q10 daily to increase plasma blood levels by a factor of four.

The researchers found “the improvement in plasma CoQ10 levels is correlated with both clinical improvement and improvement in measurement of left ventricular function.” Prior to CoQ10 supplementation, most of the participants were considered critically ill and confined to bed or a wheel chair. After a regimen of ubiquinol, patients typically improved two classification levels (Stage IV to II or III to I) and were able to carry on a productive lifestyle.

CoQ10 Improves Blood Vessel Elasticity to Lower Blood Pressure

Hypertension is a serious problem that affects as many as one in three adults in the US today. High blood pressure is closely associated with coronary artery closure due to plaque formation and arterial stiffening as the normally elastic vessels require more pressure to fully circulate blood to the body. The result of a study published in the journal Nutrition and Metabolism found that coenzyme Q10 supplemented along with other potent antioxidant nutrients (vitamin C, vitamin E, and selenium) significantly increased small and large arterial elasticity that led to lower blood pressure and risk of a heart attack.

Subjects in this study received 60 mg of CoQ10 for a period of six months along with moderate amounts of the other nutrients. In addition to improved arterial elasticity, researchers found a significant decline in HbA1C blood sugar control and an increase in protective HDL cholesterol levels. The authors of the research concluded that the CoQ10 nutrient antioxidant cocktail “has beneficial effect on glucose and lipid metabolism, blood pressure and arterial compliance in patients with multiple cardiovascular risk factors.”

It comes as no surprise to most alternative health-minded individuals that nutrients obtained from natural sources exert a powerful influence on human health. Adults will want to supplement with 50 to 100 mg per day (higher amounts may be necessary for existing cardiovascular disease) of the ubiquinol form of co-enzyme Q10 to maintain optimal health, energy and protection from age-related diseases of the heart.

Importance of Diabetes Diet and Blood Sugar Testing Strips in a Diabetic’s Life

Diet plays an important role in a diabetic’s life. Since all that we eat can affect the level of glucose in our body, it is important to take care of all that is included in daily diet. Here is a sample Diabetes Diet plan for a diabetic patient:

Diabetes Diet Plan

Morning

6 a.m. – Take ½ teaspoon fenugreek powder + water.

7 a.m. – A cup of sugar free tea and a mary biscuit.

8.30 a.m. A plate upma or oatmeal and half bowl sprouted grains. Have a cup of low fat milk without sugar

10.30 a.m. A fruit or low fat buttermilk, or lemon water

Afternoon

1 p.m. - 2 roti of mixed flour, a bowl of lentil, a bowl of yogurt, a bowl of vegetable, and a plate of salad.

Evening

4 pm - A cup of tea without sugar and a toast or a biscuit.

6 pm – A cup of soup

Night

8.30 pm - 2 roti of mixed flour, a bowl pulse, half bowl green vegetable, and a plate of salad.

10.30 pm – A cup of milk without sugar.

It is important to strictly avoid sugar, molasses, honey, sweets, and dry fruits. It is important to include a light exercise regime daily. For instance, you can go for 35-40 minute brisk walk daily. Also avoid oily food and increase the intake of fiber foods in meals.

Apart from following a strict diet, it is important that a diabetic patient checks his glucose levels daily at regular intervals. This is easy via using Diabetes Blood Sugar Test Strips.

Diabetes Blood Sugar Test Strips

Glucose testing is an imperative component of a diabetic’s daily health care. Without testing, a diabetic can easily become ill as his glucose levels may not be healthy. The test is conducted via using a glucose testing meter that uses diabetes blood sugar test strips.

The Blood Sugar Testing Strips are one of the major components of any diabetes monitoring system. A wide range of diabetes test strips are accessible these days on the market. These test strips are used in combination with a blood glucose monitor. The patient needs to prick himself to draw blood and apply to the test strip. The blood glucose monitor will detect the accurate amount of blood glucose present in the body.

Read more info about Diabetes Diet and Blood Sugar Testing Strips .

7 Consider this before blood donation!

7 Consider this before blood donation! - Blood donation is a noble and healthy habits. But there are some things to consider before you donate blood. What is it? Listen more, as reported by Mag for Women following.

Why should blood donation?

Blood donation is one way you help others. You also get the health benefits of these habits. For example, maintaining cardiovascular health, reduce iron levels, and prevent other diseases.

How to donate blood

There are two ways to donate blood. The first is to donate whole blood. The second one is to donate certain components in the blood, such as red blood cells.

How often should blood donation?

To donate whole blood, you can do it every 56 days. Berdonor once, youll want to do these habits on a regular basis.

Who can berdonor?

Anyone can, as long as he was already past 17 ​​years old and weight at least 55 pounds. If you have a tattoo, wait a year after wearing it. People who just should wait until the pain is also really healthy for berdonor. Menstruating women are prohibited from blood donors.

Eat what before blood donation?

Enjoy food with high iron levels before blood donation. Make sure you drink plenty of water. Do not fast before blood donation day and avoid alcohol or other bad habits.

Is blood donation sick?

Dependent, because relatively speaking ill for many people. But if it is used, donor blood will not hurt at all.

Is blood donation safe?

Needles used to inject the body is only used once and then discarded after completion. Various tests were conducted to ensure that the donors healthy and safe blood donated in others.

Those are some things to consider before blood donation. Have you done this habit on a regular basis?

Effective Steps to Lowering High blood pressure levels

Hypertension is worrisome because doing so is usually that has a combination of other chronic diseases.

However, that doesnt mean you have to surrender into a state suffering from high blood pressure levels causing excessive anxiety that may can even make things worse.

Below are some effective steps not to mention safe for lowering blood pressure levels. Diet, the correct choice for almost any disease to regulate the intake of nutrients the body really needed.

Unhealthy lifestyles trigger a growth in high blood pressure, including obesity. Then, apply the correct diet for lowering blood pressure level, at least one having a low-carb diet.

Low-carbohydrate diet is done by lowering the intake of foods containing simple carbohydrates. Low-carbohydrate diet proved to be more appropriate than low-fat diet. Low-carbohydrate diet is able to reduce excess fat and fat expel blood vessel blockage.

Research proves which the folks who run over the-carb diet inside discipline experienced significant weight reduction a single year. Weight-loss alone is known to improve heart health.

Low carbohydrate diets generally restrict input to become 50 g carbohydrate and 150 g of carbohydrates every day. This type of diet emphasizes the intake of high protein food for instance chicken, fish, red meat, eggs, and foods containing starch.

Low-carbohydrate diet reduce fat by manipulating your body to digest food slowly. By eating carbohydrates, our bodies secretes insulin that sends glucose over the body.

When glucose in the body is less, our bodies will automatically require other energy reserves are from fat. Reducing carbohydrates means producing less insulin so your body uses fat to generate energy.

However, considerably more research has to be done about this carbohydrate diet. Thus, the implementation on the diet do not injure yourself. Reducing sodium consumption is usually a good measure to relieve high blood pressure.

Sodium is a mineral which is tasked to maintain fluid balance systems. An excessive amount sodium causes the entire body to retain fluid which actually increase blood pressure levels.

Foodis still as fresh as fruits and veggies, vegetables, meat, and wheat are examples of foods reduced sodium. Its also wise to limit the usage of salt in cooking.

Folks who suffer from high blood pressure levels should limit their sodium intake to at least one,500 mg each day. Conversely, potassium foods are strongly suggested for being consumed by those with high blood pressure.

Potassium results in the development of the latest cells and regulate the effort from the heart. Potassium likewise helps to balance sodium levels inside blood and indirectly help control hypertension.

Based on the American Heart Association, healthy people need at the very least 4,700 mg of potassium on a daily basis. Potassium-rich foods for instance sweet potatoes, potatoes, greens, mushrooms, spinach, lima beans, tomatoes, citrus, cantaloupe, plums, bananas, papaya, mango, yogurt, milk, fish, halibut, and tuna.

Similarly, potassium, magnesium intake was vital that you lower high blood pressure levels. Magnesium plays a role in the muscle and nerve function, cardiac rhythm, immune health, and bone health.

Men need 429 mg of magnesium on a daily basis, while women 320 mg. Foods that contain magnesium include halibut, almonds, cashews, soybeans, spinach, oatmeal, beans, bran, potatoes using the skin, avocado, lentils, peas, and yogurt.

Yes, understanding what recption menus ought to be avoided or may not be an efficient step for many who wish to overcome your hypertension.

DASH Diet The High Blood Pressure Diet

High blood pressure is dangerous as it can take one’s life. However, it can easily be prevented either through proper medications or a natural treatment which includes a high blood pressure diet. Avoid saturated fats and high cholesterol foods for these will cause clogging of arteries preventing the blood from circulating to the heart.

Make a food diary for your daily diet so that your eating plan is easy to follow. The DASH (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension) can be your guide for your high blood pressure diet. This diet includes foods which are easy to prepare and includes most types of foods which are essential for good health.

Low fat food, lean meats, poultry, whole grains, fish, nuts, foods rich in potassium, calcium and magnesium are included in this diet. These are the foods which could fight for hypertension, high blood pressure, strokes, cardiovascular diseases and kidney diseases. These are considered as healthy foods for the heart.

Low fat food
Low fats foods are considered as healthy foods. These include bread, cereal, pasta, rice, vegetables, fruits, lean meat, fish, egg white, beans, nuts, seeds, skim milk, cheese, and low cholesterol cooking oil.

It’s better to bake, broil, steam, and grill instead of deep frying. In this way, you can make the most delicious and healthiest low fat foods which are needed for lowering your cholesterol and high blood pressure.

There are some tips of cholesterol lowering foods – make a list of low fat foods that can help you to start your healthy eating diet and lowering your cholesterol. Eating low fat food does not mean losing the taste or flavor. You still can prepare and cook them in a way that it becomes the healthiest and delicious low fat food you had ever eaten.

Lean meats and poultry
Lean meats and poultry are best choices if you want to include meat in your diet. Have a choice of skinless breast of chicken or turkey. These are best sources of protein. Have them grilled, boiled, or roasted.

Whole grains
Whole grains are needed in the manufacture of cereals, bread and other building blocks to some other foods. Whole wheat flour is unhealthy.

Fish and nuts
Fish and nuts are beneficial to our body for it help fight depression, prevent heart diseases, and maintain a healthy weight and keeps our eyes healthier.

Foods rich in potassium, calcium and magnesium
Foods under this group have many uses. They are important to the normal functioning of the body tissues from heart to the bones as well as other parts of the body.

As a whole, the DASH diet can help reduce cholesterol levels as well as saturated fats. It also helps lower high blood pressure, prevents heart attack, stroke and other cardiovascular diseases. Fiber can help in the functioning of the digestive system. Reduced sodium can lessen the risk of congestive heart failure and atheosclerosis. Avoidance of sweets and high sugar content beverages can maintain sugar balance in the body.

Since the DASH diets are rich in potassium, magnesium, calcium and protein, it can provide the major nutrients in the body.

Authors Resource Box

Citricor SF contains the newest formulation of all natural ingredients proven to assist in weight loss, high blood diets helps, and lower cholesterol.

Article Source: DASH Diet-The High Blood Pressure Diet

Author : vicarius