Vitamins, herbs, nutritional supplements and alternative complementary approaches for Hypertension.

1. HYPERTENSION
Vitamins, Herbs & Nutritional Supplements

2. MONALIZA TATEKAWA
Kaplan University HW499 Unit 4 Power Point Presentation

3. WHAT IS HYPERTENSION?
• Hypertension, also known as high blood pressure,
is the most common cardiovascular disease.
• “About 75 million American adults (29%) have high
blood pressure—that’s 1 in every 3 American
adults” (High Blood Pressure Frequently Asked
Questions (FAQs), 2016).
• “Blood pressure is the force of blood against your
artery walls as it circulates through your body”
(High Blood Pressure Frequently Asked Questions
(FAQs), 2016).
• It is normal for blood pressure to rise and fall
throughout the day, however when blood pressure
stays elevated for too long, health problems can
develop.
• High blood pressure has no symptoms nor warning
signs, because of this, it is known as the “silent
killer”.

4. WHAT CAUSES HYPERTENSION?
• According to the National Heart, Lung,
and Blood Institute “Changes, either
from genes or the environment, in the
body’s normal functions may cause
high blood pressure” (Causes of High
Blood Pressure, 2015).
• There are several factors that can cause
hypertension. The following are key
functions affected in high blood
pressure…

5. KEY FUNCTIONS AFFECTED IN
HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE
• Kidney Fluid and Salt Balances
Kidneys regulate the salt balance in the body
by absorbing sodium and water and
eliminating potassium. When there is an
imbalance in this kidney function, blood
volumes expand, which can cause high blood
pressure. (Causes of High Blood Pressure,
2015)
• Renin-Angiotensin-Aldosterone System
“The renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system
makes angiotensin and aldosterone
hormones” (Causes of High Blood Pressure,
2015). The hormone angiotensin narrows or
constricts blood vessels”, while the hormone
aldosterone “controls how the kidneys
balance fluid and salt levels” (Causes of High
Blood Pressure, 2015). An increase of level or
activity within these two hormones can lead
to increased blood volumes and
hypertension.

6. KEY FUNCTIONS AFFECTED IN
HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE
• Sympathetic Nervous System Activity
The sympathetic nervous system plays an
important role in regulating blood pressure
which includes heart rate and breathing rate.
Researchers are investigating whether high
blood pressure is caused by an imbalance in
this system.
• Blood Vessel Structure and Function
Changes in the blood vessel structure may
cause high blood pressure. “The angiotensin
pathway and the immune system may stiffen
small and large arteries, which can affect
blood pressure” (Causes of High Blood
Pressure, 2015).
• Genetic Causes of High Blood Pressure
Most of the understanding of body structures
and high blood pressure stem from genetic
studies. Hypertension usually runs in families.
Research has recognized that “many genes
and other mutations” are also associated with
high blood pressure (Causes of High Blood
Pressure, 2015). Furthermore, changes in the
DNA during fetal development may also be
the cause of high blood pressure later in
someone’s life.

7. ENVIRONMENTAL CAUSES OF HIGH
BLOOD PRESSURE
Unhealthy lifestyle habits
• Diets containing a high sodium intake
and sodium sensitivity
• Excessive amounts of alcohol
consumption
• Lack of physical activity
Overweight or obesity
• Research studies show that being
overweight or obese can increase the
resistance in the blood vessels, causing
the heart to work harder and leading to
high blood pressure. (Causes of High
Blood Pressure, 2015)
Medicines
• Some prescription and over-the-counter
medications can “change the way your body
controls fluid and salt balances, cause your
blood vessels to constrict, or impact the renin-
angiotensin-aldosterone system” resulting in
high blood pressure. Medicines such as birth
control pills and estrogen, asthma or hormone
therapies and over-the-counter cold relief are
a few examples. (Causes of High Blood
Pressure, 2015)

8. OTHER MEDICAL CAUSES OF HIGH
BLOOD PRESSURE
• Sleep apnea
• Chronic kidney disease
• Thyroid problems
• Certain tumors

9. VITAMINS, HERBS & NUTRITIONAL
SUPPLEMENTS FOR HYPERTENSION

10. COCOA
“Flavanols found in cocoa have been
shown to increase the formation of
endothelial nitric oxide which promotes
vasodilation and therefore blood
pressure reduction” (Reid, 2012).
According to multiple Epidemiological
studies, researchers suggest that
flavanol-rich cocoa products “have a
small but statistically significant effect in
lowering blood pressure by 2-3 mm Hg
in the short term” (Reid, 2012).

11. FISH OIL
• Fish oil is a good source of omega-3 fatty
acids.
• It also has naturally occurring anti-
inflammatory properties.
• According to multiple studies, researchers
have found a “ a dose-response effect of
fish oil on blood pressure of -0.66/-0.35
mm Hg/g omega-3 fatty acids” (Morris,
1993).
• This dose-response effect was “strongest in
hypertensive subjects and those with
clinical atherosclerotic disease or
hypercholesterolemia” (Morris, 1993).

12. MAGNESIUM
• “Magnesium’s role as an alternative
treatment for hypertension is intimately
related to calcium” (Calabro, 2009).
• Calcium is needed for arterial smooth
muscle’s to contract. However, people with
hypertension tend to collect calcium in
these muscles. (Calabro, 2009)
• “Magnesium is thought to be a natural
calcium channel blocker” (Calabro, 2009).
• Magnesium naturally relaxes vascular
smooth muscle cells. (Rosanoff, 2005)
• Magnesium also regulates cellular
placement of other cations important to
blood pressure. (Rosanoff, 2005)

13. FOLIC ACID, FOLATE, VITAMIN B
• Folic acid is a vitamin B known as folate.
• Fruits and vegetables are an essential source
of folate.
• Folic acid has been proven to be effective for
“improving endothelial function” (McRae,
2009).
• However, it’s effects on systolic and diastolic
blood pressure for individuals with
hypertension has yielded mixed results.
• Based on studies “supplementation with at
least 5000 μg/d of folic acid, for a minimum
of 6 weeks, can lower systolic blood pressure
slightly” (McRae, 2009).
• Folate supplements are beneficial for people
who lack folate in their diets.

14. MORE INFORMATION ON
VITAMINS, HERBS & NUTRITIONAL
SUPPLEMENTS FOR HYPERTENSION
• Vitamin and supplement search for hypertension:
• Common Vitamins and Supplements to Treat Hypertension. (n.d.). Retrieved May 17, 2017, from
http://www.webmd.com/vitamins-supplements/condition-1280-Hypertension.aspx
• Studies on cocoa and its effectiveness in reducing high blood pressure:
• Ried, K., Sullivan, T. R., Fakler, P., Frank, O. R., & Stocks, N. P. (2012, August 15). Effect of cocoa on blood pressure. Retrieved
May 17, 2017, from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22895979
• Fish oil and its effectiveness in reducing high blood pressure:
• Morris, M. C., Sacks, F., & Rosner, B. (1993, August). Does fish oil lower blood pressure? A meta-analysis of controlled trials.
Retrieved May 17, 2017, from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/8339414
• More on Magnesium
• Calabro, S. (2009, November 19). Herbs and Supplements for Hypertension. Retrieved May 17, 2017, from
http://www.everydayhealth.com/hypertension/herbs-and-supplements-for-hypertension.aspx
• Rosanoff, A. (2005, February). [Magnesium and hypertension]. Retrieved May 17, 2017, from
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15692166
• More of Folic Acid
• McRae, M. P. (2009, March). High-dose folic acid supplementation effects on endothelial function and blood pressure in
hypertensive patients: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled clinical trials. Retrieved May 18, 2017, from
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2697578/

16. RECOMMENDATIONS
OTHER COMPLEMENTARY APPROACHES FOR HYPERTENSION
• In addition to conventional medicine, lifestyle
changes, herbs, vitamins and nutritional
supplements, incorporating mind body
practices into your health treatment for
hypertension can be beneficial.
• The following mind-body practices have been
shown to help with high blood pressure;
• Meditation
• Yoga
• Qi gong
• The American Heart Association suggests that
biofeedback and Transcendental Meditation,
can also help lower blood pressure.
(Hypertension, 2016)

17. RECOMMENDATIONS
DIET
• “The DASH diet is a lifelong approach to
healthy eating that's designed to help treat
or prevent high blood pressure
(hypertension)” (DASH diet: Healthy eating
to lower your blood pressure, 2016).
• The DASH diet encourages people to eat
less sodium and more nutrient rich foods
that help to lower blood pressure, such as
potassium, magnesium and calcium.
• DASH stands for
• Dietary
• Approaches to
• Stop
• Hypertension

18. PRECAUTIONS

19. PRECAUTIONS
• Do your research before considering any vitamins, herbs and
nutritional supplements.
• Always consult your primary care physician prior to using any
complementary or integrative approaches.
• Do not substitute your conventional treatment for unproven
products or methods.
• “If you’re considering a dietary supplement, remember that
“natural” does not necessarily mean “safe”” (Hypertension,
2016)
• Some dietary supplements may have side effects and interact
with certain medications.
• Some vitamins and minerals are toxic when consumed in high
doses.
• Relaxation techniques are generally safe for healthy people.
But “there have been rare reports that certain relaxation
techniques might cause or worsen symptoms in people” with
epilepsy, certain psychiatric conditions, prior abuse or trauma
(Hypertension, 2016).

20. WORLD
HYPERTENSION DAY
“ Every May 17th, the Pan American Health
Organization/World Health Organization
joins the global community to celebrate
World Hypertension Day as an opportunity
to emphasize the need to work on the
prevention and control of hypertension, in
order to prevent deaths from
cardiovascular diseases” (PAHO WHO |
World Hypertension Day 2017: Know your
numbers, 2017)

21. EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES
MORE INFORMATION ON HYPERTENSION AND COMPLEMENTARY APPROACHES
• National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute
• https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/
• National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine
• https://nccih.nih.gov/
• American Heart Association
• http://www.heart.org
• American Society of Hypertension
• http://www.ash-us.org/
• National Institute of Health
• https://www.nih.gov/health-information
• US Food & Drug Administration
• https://www.fda.gov/Drugs/ResourcesForYou/SpecialFeatures/ucm358442.htm
• Center for Disease Control and Prevention
• https://www.cdc.gov/bloodpressure/

22. REFERENCES
• Calabro, S. (2009, November 19). Herbs and Supplements for Hypertension. Retrieved May
17, 2017, from http://www.everydayhealth.com/hypertension/herbs-and-supplements-for-
hypertension.aspx
• Causes of High Blood Pressure. (2015, September 10). Retrieved May 15, 2017, from
https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/health-topics/topics/hbp/causes
• Common Vitamins and Supplements to Treat Hypertension. (n.d.). Retrieved May 17, 2017,
from http://www.webmd.com/vitamins-supplements/condition-1280-Hypertension.aspx
• DASH diet: Healthy eating to lower your blood pressure. (2016, April 08). Retrieved May 18,
2017, from http://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/nutrition-and-healthy-eating/in-
depth/dash-diet/art-20048456
• High Blood Pressure Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs). (2016, November 30). Retrieved
May 15, 2017, from https://www.cdc.gov/bloodpressure/faqs.htm

23. REFERENCES
• Hypertension (High Blood Pressure). (2016, December 19). Retrieved May 18, 2017, from
https://nccih.nih.gov/health/hypertension
• McRae, M. P. (2009, March). High-dose folic acid supplementation effects on endothelial function and blood
pressure in hypertensive patients: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled clinical trials. Retrieved May 18,
2017, from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2697578/
• Morris, M. C., Sacks, F., & Rosner, B. (1993, August). Does fish oil lower blood pressure? A meta-analysis of
controlled trials. Retrieved May 17, 2017, from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/8339414
• PAHO WHO | World Hypertension Day 2017: Know your numbers. (2017, May 16). Retrieved May 16, 2017,
from http://www.paho.org/hq/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=13257%3Adia-mundial-de-
la-hipertension-2017-conoce-tus-numeros&catid=1612%3Acardiovascular-
diseases&Itemid=42345&lang=en
• Ried, K., Sullivan, T. R., Fakler, P., Frank, O. R., & Stocks, N. P. (2012, August 15). Effect of cocoa on blood
pressure. Retrieved May 17, 2017, from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22895979
• Rosanoff, A. (2005, February). [Magnesium and hypertension]. Retrieved May 17, 2017, from
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15692166