Vitamin C and E supplementation and hypertension

 Vitamin C and E supplementation and hypertension...

"BACKGROUND: Essential hypertension is characterized by endothelial dysfunction, arterial stiffness, and increased oxidative stress. We evaluated the effect of short-term combined treatment with the antioxidants vitamins C and E on endothelial function, arterial stiffness, and oxidative stress in untreated essential hypertensive patients."

"CONCLUSIONS: Combined treatment with vitamins C and E has beneficial effects on endothelium-dependent vasodilation and arterial stiffness in untreated, essential hypertensive patients. This effect is associated with changes in plasma markers of oxidative stress."

Reference:


Plantinga Y, Ghiadoni L, Magagna A, Giannarelli C, Franzoni F, Taddei S, Salvetti A. Supplementation with vitamins C and E improves arterial stiffness and endothelial function in essential hypertensive patients. Am J Hypertens. 2007 Apr;20(4):392-7.

Omega 3 fatty acids and blood pressure

Food omega-3 purified fatty acids may help control adverse blood pressure levels according to the results of this recent study:

"In summary, food omega-3 PFA intake related inversely to blood pressure, including in nonhypertensive persons, with small estimated effect size. Food omega-3 PFA may contribute to prevention and control of adverse blood pressure levels."

Reference


Ueshima H, Stamler J, Elliott P, Chan Q, Brown IJ, Carnethon MR, Daviglus ML, He K, Moag-Stahlberg A, Rodriguez BL, Steffen LM, Van Horn L, Yarnell J, Zhou B; INTERMAP Research Group. Food omega-3 fatty acid intake of individuals (total, linolenic acid, long-chain) and their blood pressure: INTERMAP study. Hypertension. 2007 Aug;50(2):313-9. Epub 2007 Jun 4.

Will taking potassium citrate lower your blood pressure?

High blood pressure or hypertension is a significant risk factor for cardiovascular disease (CVD). A new study published in the British Journal of Nutrition suggests that taking a daily supplment of potassium citrate lowered volunteers blood pressure by 5 mmHg.

***Many blood pressure lowering drugs called ace inhibitors cause your body to retain potassium. Consult your physician before taking a potassium supplement as many medical conditions as well as some medications can already elevate your potassium levels.


"Blood pressure (BP) shows a continuous relationship with the risk of CVD. There is substantial evidence that dietary potassium exerts an anti-pressor effect. Most clinical trials have used KCl. However, the chloride ion may have a pressor effect and in foods potassium is associated with organic anions. In a double-blind randomized placebo-controlled trial we explored the effect on BP of two salts of potassium, KCl and potassium citrate (K-cit), in predominantly young healthy normotensive volunteers. The primary outcome was the change in mean arterial pressure as measured in a clinic setting. After 6 weeks of supplementation, compared with the placebo group (n 31), 30 mmol K-cit/d (n 28) changed mean arterial pressure by - 5.22 mmHg (95 % CI - 8.85, - 4.53) which did not differ significantly from that induced by KCl (n 26), - 4.70 mmHg ( - 6.56, - 2.84). The changes in systolic and diastolic BP were - 6.69 (95 % CI - 8.85, - 4.43) and - 4.26 (95 % CI - 6.31, - 2.21) mmHg with K-cit and - 5.24 (95 % CI - 7.43, - 3.06) and - 4.30 (95 % CI - 6.39, - 2.20) mmHg with KCl, and did not differ significantly between the two treatments. Changes in BP were not related to baseline urinary electrolytes. A greater treatment-related effect was observed in those with higher systolic BP. Increasing dietary potassium could therefore have a significant impact on the progressive rise in BP in the entire population."

Reference:
Braschi A, Naismith DJ. The effect of a dietary supplement of potassium chloride or potassium citrate on blood pressure in predominantly normotensive volunteers. Br J Nutr. 2007 Dec 6;:1-9