High Blood Pressure vs Garlic
Milk protein may be the answer to lowering high blood pressure in some people; however, it isn’t the only alternative. In fact, did you know that making something as natural as eating garlic apart of your regular diet can actually reduce blood pressure and help you manage your hypertension?
Garlic is a vegetable that is extremely beneficial to the heart and the entire cardiovascular system. It is considered to be a natural remedy for high blood pressure that has significant, positive effects when made part of a daily Diet. Studies have found that by eating a single small garlic clove per day, a person can effectively manage their hypertension.
In fact some clinical studies have found garlic to decrease the systolic blood pressure by as much as 20 mm Hg to 30 mm Hg, and the diastolic blood pressure by as much as 10 mm Hg to 20 mm Hg in participants.
For instance, one 12 week study concluded that participants with high blood pressure who ingested a single clove of garlic per day had significant reductions in their systolic and diastolic blood pressure by the end of the study.
In addition, studies have also been conducted on testing the effectiveness of garlic powder taken in the form of a supplement for controlling blood pressure. These studies also found a significant reduction in both systolic and diastolic blood pressure in participants who suffered from mild hypertension.
How does garlic lower blood pressure? It is believed that garlic can effectively lower blood pressure because it reduces spasms that occur in the small arteries. It also slows the pulse rate and modifies the rhythm of the heart. In addition, garlic can relieve gas in the digestive tract, numbness, dizziness and shortness of breath. Thus, garlic has been used as a herbal remedy as an effective method for treating various health problems aside form hypertension including infection, inflammation and heart disease.
Moreover, research has found that there are three chemicals found in garlic that are exceptionally helpful in treating high blood pressure. These chemicals are alliin, allinase, and allicin, and are particular effective for improving blood circulation.
How can you add garlic to your daily diet to manage your blood pressure? The following are two recommendations:
1. Eat fresh raw garlic cloves - you can eat a single raw clove of garlic per day with a meal or by itself. You don’t need to eat an exceptionally large clove, a small one should suffice. Just make sure the clove is fresh, as dried garlic no longer contains the properties that are beneficial for health.
2. Take garlic supplements in capsule form - This is often the preferred method, as most people don’t enjoy chewing on a raw piece of garlic. Herbalists recommend taking 300mgs of garlic capsule supplements three times daily (I.E. 3 capsules per day). Note: Be sure to read the instructions on the back of supplements before taking them.
If you decide to take garlic supplements, keep in mind that you should only do so under the supervision of a health practitioner. The reason is because garlic can thin the blood and can interact with other drugs and supplements that are prescribed for blood thinning such as Trental (pentoxifylline) and Coumadin (warfarin), aspirin, gingko, and vitamin E. Furthermore, it is often recommended that those who will be undergoing surgery should stop taking garlic as treatment a few weeks before and after surgery.
If you think garlic is a remedy you would like to try as treatment for managing your high blood pressure, be sure to talk to your doctor first for recommendations.
Paul J Johnson
http://www.articlesbase.com/health-articles/high-blood-pressure-vs-garlic-115072.html
March 2nd, 2010 at 4:48 pm
Is there a link between garlic and high blood pressure?
Can I reduce my blood pressure by taking garlic?
March 2nd, 2010 at 9:50 pm
I know garlic lowers cholesterol, but I’m not sure about the blood pressure.
References :
March 2nd, 2010 at 9:52 pm
When I was taking garlic, I noticed that my cholesterol levels were lower.
References :
March 2nd, 2010 at 9:54 pm
I think so. What you should also do is consider lowering your salt intake. That really helps a lot. Try to avoid some of your daily frustrations.
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personal experience
March 2nd, 2010 at 9:56 pm
I have been told that eating RAW garlic can help reduce blood pressure. Exercise is more effective if it’s not related to other medication. Garlic should not be used exclusively, and high blood pressure should be checked by a Physician to see if the Garlic is sufficient.
My Dad’s Garlic and Spinach Sandwich:
Toast two pieces of Whole Wheat Bread
Butter, then add slices of raw garlic, leafs of spinach (and if desired swiss cheese). My dad did this for me at 13, I was a little weirded out but it is really good.
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March 2nd, 2010 at 9:58 pm
If you consume enough garlic on a regular basis, it will reduce your cholesterol. It has no effect on blood pressure. You can reduce your blood pressure by losing weight, if you are overweight. Cutting out coffee/energy drinks, or anything that contains caffeine helps. Reducing your intake of sodium also helps. Increasing potassium in your diet will reduce your blood pressure. Here’s a list of potassium rich foods:
Apple
Apricot, fresh
Banana
Dates, dried
Grapes, green seedless
Orange Juice, fresh
Papaya
Peach
Pineapple, fresh
Prune Juice, unsweetened
Raisins
Strawberries, fresh
Asparagus, cooked
Artichoke
Brocolli
Cabbage, cooked
Celery, raw
Corn, on cob
Green Beans
Green Pepper
Kidney Beans, canned
Lettuce, iceburg
Lettuce, romaine
Onion
Peas, fresh cooked
Potato, baked with skin
Pumpkin, canned
Spinach, steamed
Sweet Potato
Tomato
Ice Cream
Milk, skim
Yogurt, lowfat
Bread, wheat
Brazil Nuts
Egg
Hamburger
Peanuts, roasted w/skin
Peanut Butter, natural
Rice, brown
Rice, white
Salmon, canned
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Registered Nurse
March 2nd, 2010 at 10:00 pm
I think from everyone else’s answers we’ve established that garlic helps lower cholesterol (by the way that garlic and spinach sandwich sounds good!!), however since you were asking about the effects of garlic on high blood pressure lets take a look at that.
Garlic is actually a fairly common natural treatment for high blood pressure and herbalist practitioners have been prescribing this for years.
There have been a number of studies done which look at the effects of garlic on high blood pressure. One study found that garlic decreases systolic blood pressure by up to 30 mm Hg and the diastolic reading by up to 20 mm Hg.
Another 12 week study published findings that by eating a single clove of garlic each day, participants experienced significant reductions in both systolic and diastolic blood pressure at the end of the study.
Garlic powder has also been studied and this too has shown to have a positive effect on reducing overall blood pressure.
It’s thought garlic lowers blood pressure by reducing spasms in the small arteries. The pulse rate is also slowed and the heart rhythm modified.
So, other than the spinach sandwich recommended above you could just opt to chew on or add a small raw clove of garlic each day to your meals or if you’re not too keen on the taste a good quality garlic supplement would do.
However, before introducing eating or taking garlic supplements daily its worth checking with your doctor or qualified health professional that you’re okay to do so. Garlic also acts as blood thinner and can interact negatively with other drugs.
Also, eating garlic is not a reason to stop taking your medication. You should never stop taking your medication without first consulting your doctor.
References :
http://natural-blood-pressure-reduction.com/blog/2007/03/01/high-blood-pressure-vs-garlic/
http://altmedicine.about.com/cs/herbsvitaminsek/a/Hypertension.htm