We’re heading into a New Year. But you can bet you’ll be hearing the same old nagging about your blood pressure.
And you know where IT’S heading. If you can’t cut your BP on your own, your doc will want you on a drug. Or if you’re already on meds and it rises again, he’ll want to add MORE pills to your daily routine.
That’s exactly what you DON’T want. Because blood pressure drugs have been linked to a long list of nightmare side effects.
Not long ago, some were found to be contaminated with a cancer-linked chemical. It’s a scandal some drug makers STILL haven’t recovered from. Plus, these heavy-duty meds can also cause some more immediate side effects such as dizziness, brain fog, and memory struggles.
A 2019 study even linked one class of blood pressure meds to a higher risk of suicide. And other recent research has tied another type of these drugs to a higher risk of lung cancer.
Top 4 NATURAL blood pressure heroes
ALL drugs come with some potential side effects, of course. But you shouldn’t accept the risks if you don’t have to. And in many cases, BP drugs may not be necessary. Because there are some proven effective NATURAL blood pressure reducers.
Following are four proven effective, natural hypertension fighting heroes. Why not consider giving them a try BEFORE you agree to double down on risky blood pressure meds?
LYCOPENE:
Lycopene isn’t some “HOT” or “TRENDY” exotic solution that you have to trek to Siberia to find. You won’t see it on any lists of “names to know for 2021.” And your doctor sure as heck won’t mention it to you.
But this humble compound locked deep inside of tomatoes can do more for your blood pressure than many medications. For example, one study in 2005 found a lycopene-rich tomato extract cut systolic (“top number”) blood pressure by 9 mmHg and diastolic (“bottom number”) blood pressure by 7 mmHg.
That wasn’t a fluke, either. It was confirmed by a 2019 study, which found 15 mg of lycopene per day cut the systolic reading by 10 and the diastolic by 5.
Now let me be very clear about something. If a new DRUG were to have that kind of effect on your blood pressure, it would be rushed through approvals and hailed as a breakthrough. But since it was “just” lycopene, you probably never even heard the news.
You can raise your lycopene levels by eating more cooked tomato products. But to get a concentrated wallop of this BP-friendly nutrient, consider taking a supplement too.
L-CARNITINE:
Here’s another unsung hero of heart health that doesn’t get anything close to the attention it deserves.
One analysis found this non-amino acid protein found in meat, fish, and dairy can slash 7.41 mmHg off the systolic blood pressure. Again, that’s AS GOOD AS or BETTER THAN what you’ll get from many medications.
And again, if this l-carnitine were a drug, it would be all the rage. But since it’s an inexpensive and easy-to-find natural therapy, I bet you haven’t heard a thing about it. You’ll find l-carnitine anyplace vitamins and supplements are sold.
NATTOKINASE:
Think the name’s weird? Where it comes from is even stranger… because nattokinase (natto for short) is found in fermented soybeans, as in icky, gooey, practically rotten beans.
But if you’re serious about controlling your blood pressure without drugs, don’t knock it ’til you try it. A study in 2008 found natto cut an average of 5.55 off the systolic and nearly 3 points from the diastolic readings in volunteers.
You can get natto by eating those fermented soybeans, as folks do in Japan. But for the Western palate, I would consider trying a nattokinase supplement instead.
FLAVANOLS:
You’ll find flavanols in some of your favorite natural snacks, including berries and nuts.
These nutrients are already well-known for being “anti-aging” compounds. They help fight off the damage of oxidative stress and deliver all-around protection.
But one study found that flavanols can specifically pack some punch when it comes to your blood pressure. In fact, getting more of them into your system… even just by eating more flavanol-rich foods such as berries, onions, tea, grapes, and kale… could effortlessly cut 2-4 points off your numbers.
Finally, don’t forget the basics. A daily walk… a little weight loss if needed… and natural minerals such as potassium and magnesium can all help shave a few points off your BP. Have a chat with your doc about trying some of these alternatives BEFORE you sign on for more meds.
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