Whole Grains Lower Blood Pressure
Eating lots of whole grains could ward off high blood pressure, according to a study in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.
In the study, men with the highest whole-grain consumption were 19 percent less likely to develop high blood pressure than men who ate the least amount of whole grains.
While refining grains removes their outer coating, whole grains retain their bran and germ, so they are richer in many nutrients, Dr. Alan J. Flint of the Harvard School of Public Health in Boston and his colleagues note in their report.
The most recent US guidelines recommend that people get at least 3 ounces, or 85 grams, of whole grains daily, and that they consume at least half of their grains as whole grains.
SOURCE: American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, September 2009
Acupuncture Lowers Blood Pressure
Researchers have determined that acupuncture can be employed to significantly lower both diastolic and systolic blood pressure as effectively as aggressive lifestyle changes and anti-hypertensive medications.
Published: Circulation, June 2007
Garlic Lowers Blood Pressure
Another study shows that the regular intake of aged garlic can help lower blood pressure.
Australian researchers publishing in Maturitas say that people with a systolic pressure (the “top” number) of over 140 can be helped by taking 960 mg of encapsulated garlic extract.
Editor’s Note: Nutrients that help lower high blood pressure include coleus forskohlii, omega-3 fatty acids, CoQ10, Vitamin C, Taurine and Arginine for example. See more information on lowering blood pressure naturally.