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In a study appearing in the journal Hypertension (2007 Mar 19—epublished version), plasma vitamin D (25[OH]D) levels were monitored in a group of 1,811 subjects for four to eight years and another group of 115,919 were monitored for 16-18 years. The researchers found an inverse proportion between vitamin D levels and the occurrence of hypertension. Men with plasma 25(OH)D levels less than 15 ng/mL (vitamin D deficiency) showed more than a six-fold increased risk of hypertension compared to men with 25(OH)D levels at or above 30 ng/mL. Women with vitamin D deficiency had double the risk of being hypertensive. There may well be an association between vitamin D deficiency and high blood pressure. |
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The active ingredient in garlic, allicin, produces hydrogen sulfide when metabolized. This helps cardiovascular health by relaxing blood vessels and increasing blood flow, according to research appearing in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (published online on October 19, 2007).
The researchers added a small amount of red blood cells to garlic juice. Allicin is unstable in liquid and breaks down to form various sulfides (diallyl sulfide, diallyl disulfide, diallyl trisulfide, and ajoene). When exposed to theses chemicals, the red blood cells release hydrogen sulfide. Muscular rings from the aortas of rats were exposed to the hydrogen sulfide-emitting red blood cells—it caused them to relax. The garlic caused the vessel relaxation in a dose-dependant manner. The greater the concentration of garlic, the more relaxation in the blood vessel. |
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A small study, appearing in Hypertension—Journal of the American Heart Association (Published online ahead of print 4 February 2008), had 14 healthy subjects drink either 500 ml of beetroot juice or water. Their blood pressure was measured every 15 minutes for the hour before drinking the juice and for three hours afterward. The blood pressure was then measured hourly for the next 21 hours. The group drinking the beetroot juice experienced a significant lowering of the blood pressure even 24 hours after ingesting the juice. |
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For more articles on this and other health topics, click on the link to go to our practitioners' directory and link to a web site that is loaded with information: Practitioners' Directory Blood pressure should be checked periodically because it can be abnormal without causing any symptoms. Failing to find and adequately treat high blood pressure (hypertension) increases the risk of heart attack and stroke. |
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