Archive for 2009

Coenzyme Q-10 and Blood Pressure

Tuesday, November 17th, 2009

Coenzyme Q-10 (or CoQ10) is a vitamin-like substance that participates in the production of energy in the human body. Large concentrations of CoQ10 are found in organs with high energy requirements, such as the heart.

Looking to lower your blood pressure naturally? Check out this Air Force discovery!

Coenzyme Q-10 has been the subject of numerous studies. In 2007 a major meta-analysis published in the Journal of Hypertension reviewed 12 clinical trials which included 362 patients. The researchers concluded that, “coenzyme Q10 has the potential in hypertensive patients to lower systolic blood pressure by up to 17 mm Hg and diastolic blood pressure by up to 10 mm Hg without significant side effects.”
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Hypertension, Dementia and Alzheimer’s

Tuesday, November 17th, 2009

High blood pressure can be easy to ignore as there are often no symptoms- but did you know that this disease could literally make you “loose your mind”?

Vascular dementia is often caused by either one or several strokes, ranging from severe to so small they go unnoticed, which damage various parts of the brain impairing memory and overall cognition. The resulting symptoms, such as forgetfulness, are often hard to distinguish from Alzheimer disease. Hypertension is believed to be one of the main risk factors for vascular dementia due to its propensity to cause strokes.

Vascular dementia is preventable, and one of the most important things you can do to protect yourself is maintain healthy blood pressure levels. If you are looking for a natural way to lower blood pressure naturally, be sure to look into the Zona Plus.

Sleep Apnea and High Blood Pressure

Wednesday, November 11th, 2009

Sleep apnea is a disorder where a person experiences a sequence of shallow breaths or pauses in breathing while sleeping. The duration of the pauses varies from a few seconds to minutes and they usually occur repeatedly throughout the night, often leaving the individual feeling sleep deprived the next morning.

About half of the people with Obstructive Sleep Apnea (the most common type) also have hypertension and there is mounting evidence indicating that treatment of sleep apnea via CPAP machines can significantly reduce blood pressure.

Did you know that the Zona Plus Therapy has lowered blood pressure naturally for thousands of users?

Both severe and minor Symptomatic Obstructive Sleep Apnea have been tied to endothelial dysfunction, a situation in which the cells that line blood vessels, arteries and veins throughout the body do not expand as needed often leading to increased blood pressure. When the body goes though periods of not receiving enough oxygen, as it does with sleep apnea, there is a decrease in nitric oxide production. Sufficient nitric oxide is essential for proper endothelial function and not enough prohibits the endothelium from behaving properly. There is also evidence to suggest that sleep apnea results in increased sympathetic activity, a known contributor to hypertension.

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5 Ways to Lower Blood Pressure Naturally

Friday, November 6th, 2009

Lower Blood Pressure Naturally Tip #5: DASH Diet

The Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) is endorsed by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute and can lower blood pressure naturally and dramatically in as little as 14 days. The diet focuses on fruits, vegetables, potassium, magnesium, calcium, low fat dairy products, whole grains, beans, seeds and nuts. In addition, it also reduces the amount of red meat, sodium and artificial sugars found in the typical American diet. A full free guide to the DASH diet can be found here.

Lower Blood Pressure Naturally Tip #4: Coenzyme Q-10

Coenzyme Q-10 (CoQ10) is a vitamin-like substance that participates in the production of energy in the human body. One study found that CoQ10 has the potential to lower systolic blood pressure by up to 17/10 in hypertensive patients without negative side effects.

Lower Blood Pressure Naturally Tip #3: Garlic

Garlic not only tastes great as a cooking spice, but also seems to work remarkably well as a way to lower blood pressure naturally in many patients. Two major meta-analyses were conducted and both discovered garlic had significant blood pressure lowering abilities (16.3/9.3 in one, and 8.4/7.3 in the other).

Lower Blood Pressure Naturally Tip #2: Sleep

Not getting enough sleep has been tied to both high blood pressure and increased calcification of the arteries. For some, lowering blood pressure naturally may be as simple as getting no less than 5 hours of sleep every night!

Lower Blood Pressure Naturally Tip #1: Isometric Handgrip Therapy

A simple hand grip exercise has been shown to lower blood pressure naturally without negative side effects and can drop users’ blood pressure into the normal range (decreases of 20 points systolic are common). It only takes 12 minutes a day about 5 days a week, was discovered by the U.S. Air Force and has been reviewed by the Harvard Health Letter, the Berkeley Wellness Letter and is supported by 10 published medical journal articles. The device which facilitates this very specific isometric therapy is called the Zona Plus.

For more information please request your free copy of “Understanding High Blood Pressure” by calling 1-866-669-9662.

Fructose May Raise High Blood Pressure Risk

Monday, November 2nd, 2009

Fructose consumption by American adults has increased by 30% over the past 20 years and has been tied to the rise in obesity, but its effect on blood pressure has been largely unknown.

From 2003-2006, over 4,500 adults who did not have a history of high blood pressure participated in a study which researched the possible link between fructose consumption and the development of high blood pressure. After examining participant’s diets, researchers determined that the median fructose intake for participants was 74 grams per day, which is the equivalent of about 2.5 sugary soft drinks. Fructose from fruit was not included, whereas fruit juices, regular soft drinks, bakery goods and candy were included in the calculation.

The data collected led researchers to conclude that fructose intake of more than 74 grams a day was tied to a 36% higher risk of blood pressure of 140/90 or higher, and this was after taking into account age, physical activity, calorie intake and salt intake.

Researchers hypothesize that possible mechanisms by which fructose could influence blood pressure include lowering nitric oxide production and/or raising uric acid in the blood.

Researchers wrote, “These results indicate that high fructose intake in the form of added sugars is significantly and independently associated with higher blood pressure levels in the U.S. adult population with no previous history of hypertension”.
» More: Fructose May Raise High Blood Pressure Risk

Why Does High Blood Pressure Matter?

Tuesday, September 15th, 2009

Although high blood pressure may seem like nothing important especially since it has no symptoms, it can lead to a plethora of health problems- many of which are fatal.

-According to the American Heart Association, high blood pressure is the number one modifiable risk factor for stroke

-Beginning at 115/75 mmHg, the risk of cardiovascular disease doubles with every additional 20/10 mmHg.

-Heart disease is the number one killer among women in the U.S.

-Even if you have normal blood pressure when you are 55, you have a 90% lifetime risk for developing hypertension.

-It is estimated that 1 in every 3 American adults have high blood pressure.

-Twenty-one percent of people with hypertension are unaware they have it.

-Other health problems caused by high blood pressure include heart attack, vascular dementia, angina, heart failure, kidney failure, erectile dysfunction, peripheral arterial disease, aneurysm and it can even make blood vessels in the eyes burst and bleed.

-Approximately 70% of people with Vascular Dementia are also hypertensive.
» More: Why Does High Blood Pressure Matter?

Why Does My Blood Pressure Fluctuate?

Thursday, August 27th, 2009

Have you ever wondered why your blood pressure fluctuates? Here is a list of common activities and their impact on your blood pressure.

Attending a meeting: +20.2/15.0
Working: +16.0/+13.0
Commuting: +14.0/+9.2
Walking: +12.0/+5.5
Dressing: +11.5/+9.7
Doing chores: +10.7/+.67
Talking on telephone: +9.5/7.2
Eating: +8.8/9.6
Talking: 6.7/6.7
Doing desk work: 5.9/5.3
Reading: +1.9/+2.2
Doing business (at home): +1.6/+3.2
Watching television: +0.3/+1.1
Sleeping: -10.0/-7.6
(Changes are relative to blood pressure while relaxing)

Please see http://www.cmaj.ca/cgi/content/full/161/3/277 for original table.

New Study Published About Zona Plus!

Monday, August 24th, 2009

A new study to be published in the European Journal of Applied Physiology studied the effects of a single bout of isometric handgrip therapy on systolic blood pressure and the autonomic nervous system. Canadian researchers found that in healthy normotensive individuals a single session of Zona Plus therapy resulted in a brief, instantaneous reduction in systolic blood pressure and a change in the autonomic nervous system. It is hypothesized that it could be these changes that lead to the long term alterations in blood pressure and nervous system activity observed with long term use of the Zona Plus.

The article was accepted July 21, 2009 and it can be found via DOI 10.1007/s00421-009-1142-2.

Have High Blood Pressure? Beware of St. John’s Wort!

Tuesday, August 18th, 2009

Did you know that the herb St. John’s Wort, commonly used to fight depression, can actually raise your blood pressure?
Here are some St. John’s Wort facts:

  • Can raise blood pressure to dangerous levels especially when combined with MAOIs
  • St. John’s Wort interacts with many prescription medications
  • When taken with antidepressants, it can actually increase the likelihood and severity of side effects

» More: Have High Blood Pressure? Beware of St. John’s Wort!

Does Metabolic Syndrome Increase Your Risk of Breast Cancer?

Monday, August 3rd, 2009

A large study which involved data from 4,888 postmenopausal women evaluated the relationship between metabolic syndrome and breast cancer, and the results were rather alarming.

Postmenopausal women who either did not have metabolic syndrome or who had it for less than three years were not found to be at a higher risk of getting breast cancer; however, women who had metabolic syndrome for three to five years had twice the risk of being diagnosed with breast cancer. They also discovered that the woman who suffered from high diastolic blood pressure had a higher risk of breast cancer by nearly 2.5 times! Increased triglycerides and glucose were also found to increase risk by about 1.7 times.

While not conclusive, this study highlights how important a healthy heart and low blood pressure are to your overall health. If you are battling high blood pressure, check out the Zona Plus, a remarkable device discovered by the Air Force to lower blood pressure naturally.
» More: Does Metabolic Syndrome Increase Your Risk of Breast Cancer?