Health Alert 163
If you have high blood pressure, it is important to lower it to within the normal range. I am not a fan, however, of lowering blood pressure with drugs. I consider drugs as a last alternative. Unfortunately, the vast majority of the millions of Americans taking blood pressure lowering drugs have never been offered effective alternatives.
I’ve told you how to lower your blood pressure with exercise and by supplementing with CoQ10. Today you’ll learn the blood pressuring lowering capabilities of sesame oil, dark chocolate and magnesium.
* Enjoyable Ways to Drop your Blood Pressure *
Sesame Oil
Recent studies of patients with moderate to severe hypertension were given 1 ounce of sesame oil daily for 2 months. Overall the patients saw a 32-point drop in their blood pressure. And 67% of the patients were able to stop using their medication.
Researchers believe the combination of the heart-healthy polyunsaturated oil and the unique compound sesamin found in sesame oil causes the blood vessels to relax. This prevents pressure spikes.
Dark Chocolate
I’ve told you before of the antioxidant effect of the polyphenols found in dark chocolate. Well now research has revealed a heart benefit as well.
A 3 ounce bar of dark chocolate daily will lower your blood pressure 5 points in 2 weeks. The study did compare milk chocolate to dark chocolate and found no benefit to eating milk chocolate. Apparently even drinking milk with your dark chocolate treat was obstructive. Researchers concluded that milk prevents the absorption of polyphenols.
A 3-ounce bar contains 410mg of this important nutrient. It appears to work by helping your blood vessel muscles to relax.
Magnesium
The average American takes in half as much magnesium as they did just 50 years ago. I believe this has to do with the over-consumption of processed food in place of natural foods.
Magnesium is your blood’s own natural calcium-channel blocker. Why take a drug when supplementation with a mineral can have the same effect? Magnesium again helps keep blood vessels relaxed and prevents blood clots.
* Make the Natural Solution your Routine *
To maximize the healing benefit of these simple tips, add them to your daily routine1:
• Sesame Oil- Use in place of vegetable oil in your salad dressing or when preparing your meats and sautéing vegetables.
• Eat dark chocolate, about a 3-ounce serving per day. Too much of a good thing will cause you to gain weight.
• Take a 400 mg. Magnesium supplement daily. Over time this should help reduce your need for blood pressure medication.
• Live alone? Hugging your pet can also create a blood pressure lowering affect.
Al Sears, MD