Correcting

High

Blood Pressure

Naturally

Dr. William G. Drew

High blood pressure is clinically defined as systolic arterial pressure above 140 mm of mercury (mm Hg) and diastolic arterial pressure greater than 90 mm Hg. Normal blood pressure is 120 / 80. Elevated blood pressure is a major risk factor for heart attack or stroke. Ands given the fact that nearly 45 percent of all deaths are attributable to either heart attacks or strokes, hypertension is not a disorder to be taken lightly.

Different grades of hypertension are recognized by the medical establishment. These are:

systolic/diastolic pressures borderline 120 - 160 90 - 94

mild 140 - 160 95 - 104

moderate 140 - 180 105 - 114

severe 160+ 115+

The diastolic pressure measures the pressure in the "plumbing" when the pump is at rest. The systolic pressure measures the highest pressure in the supply pipes when the pump peaks. Most doctors become concerned when the resting pressure -- the diastolic pressure -- remains elevated. This most usually signifies atherosclerosis or hardening of the arterial walls. Atherosclerosis may occur gradually but progressively as an individual ages, and explosively as a function of disease processes resulting in atherosclerotic plaque buildup.

More than 80 percent of all hypertensives may be classified as borderline to moderate. Many studies, even those sanctioned by the medical establishment, clearly show that non-drug therapies are superior to prescription therapies in bringing the high pressures back within normal ranges. The most often quoted non-drug approaches to treating borderline to mild hypertension include dietary changes, exercise and relaxation. Of course the medical establishment is not necessarily threatened by non-drug approaches and often may actually recommend these approaches for no other reason than to "prove" that they do actually practice "alternative" medicine.

Yet hypertensive medications remain among the most widely prescribed drugs with yearly sales far in excess of $10 billion! Since 80 percent of all hypertensives are in the borderline to mild range and since the dictators of the monopoly supposedly support the use of non-drug therapies for these hypertensives, the question becomes "WHY"? The bottom line provides the answer; it would mean a loss of more than $5 billion dollars to the pharmaceutical cartel.

There are many types of blood pressure lowering drugs, many used in "step"programs. What this means is that for borderline hypertensives, a mild diuretic of the thiazide type may produce a mild reduction in the blood pressure. When this fails the physician goes to "step-two," the prescribing of a higher dose of diuretic in combination with a beta adrenergic blocking agent. Steps-three, etc. may typically employ stronger and stronger doses of diuretics with stronger and stronger drugs in the beta-blocking category or calcium channel blockers and enzyme inhibitors which block the ability of the body to produce angiotensin. Usually when step-four levels of treatment are reached, the patient is taking 4 different medications.

Side Effects

Thiazide Diuretics

It is important to note that each class of blood pressure-lowering medication is capable of producing side effects. The thiazide diuretics (e.g. Corzide, Naturetin, Rauzide, Exna, Aldoclor, Diuril, Thalitone, Esidrix, Thiuretic, Diucardin and Renese) may cause the body to lose too much potassium and magnesium. When this happens your body loses much of its ability to control blood pressure in the first place because potassium and magnesium are both known to lower blood pressure and both of these minerals are also critical in the prevention of heart attacks!

The thiazide diuretics also are very capable of increasing cholesterol levels along with serum triglycerides. Their action almost invariably increases the stickiness of blood (i.e. increased viscosity) and this alone can increase the probability of clots and strokes. Many studies actually show that the thiazide family of diuretics can increase the risk of death from heart attacks or strokes. And when thiazide diuretics are used by diuretics, blood sugar levels become relatively unpredictable.

The more common side effects of thiazide diuretics include: feeling faint, orthostatic hypotension (i.e. nearly fainting when standing up too fast), lightheadedness, elevated blood sugar levels, increased uric acid levels, triggering of gout in patients suffering from this disorder, muscle weakness, fatigue, and severel leg cramps. Many patients report that their libido virtually disappears and they begin to experience impotence. Many report allergies, headaches, blurry vision, nausea and vomiting. Some even have diarrhea.

Thiazide diuretics are often combined with other drugs such as beta-blockers in one capsule or pill. These combinations also create side effects which can be even more complicated.

Beta-Blockers

These are chemicals that reduce or actually block the actions of adrenaline (epinephrine) or noradrenaline (nor-epinephrine) on the beta adrenergic receptors throughout the body. The arteries contain muscles in their walls. When the nor-adrenaline nerves fire, noradrenaline is released to stimulate adrenergic receptor sites located on these smooth muscle cells. When stimulated, these muscles contract. Since these smooth muscles are oriented much like the wire coils in a vacuum cleaner hose, the lumen (tube diameter) decreases. As the lumen decreases, the blood flowing through the constricted area increases both its speed and pressure. Hence, the diastolic blood pressure rises. Obviously, when one introduces a beta-blocker into the cardiovascular system the ability of noradrenalin to cause blood pressure increases is greatly reduced.

Some of the more common beta-blockers include: Acebutolol (Sectral), Atenol (Tenormin); Carteolol (Cartrol); Labetalol (Normodyne, Trandate); Metoprolol (Lopressor); Nadolol (Corgard); Penbutolol (Levatol); Pindolol (Visken): Propranolol (Inderal); and Timolol (Blocadren). Some people are very sensitive to the effects of beta blockers. Because the vascular system is now dilated, less blood flows through the arterial tree. Moreover, as the arteries become more dilated, the lower the head of pressure becomes. In some patients blood flow may actually become so low into the extremities that blood begins to accumulate in the hands and feet. This venous stasis severely retards the oxygenation of these distant tissues leading to much discomfort and many other symptoms.

In addition to cold hand and feet, oxygen flow into the brain may become impaired. Nerves may begin to tingle, cognitive (higher mental) functions deteriorate, phenomenal fatigue sets in, patients become dizzy, experience profound depression, reduced or absent libido, and impotence. And much like the thiazide diuretics, the beta-blockers also increase serum cholesterol and triglycerides. NOTE: Never discontinue a beta-blocker abruptly. You must gradually come off of these types of medications and it is best if this is done under the supervision of a physician.

Calcium Channel Blockers

These are the drugs that block the movement of calcium through cell membrane channels. These drugs are generally better tolerated than the beta blockers and include the most familiar - Cardizen (Diltiazem). Others in this category include: Isradipine (DynaCirc); Nicardipine (Cardene); Nifedipine (Adalat, Procardia); and Verapamil (Calan, Isoptin, Verelan).

Side effects include: serious disturbances in heart rate and rhythm, heart function and efficiency, heart failure and angina. Among the less serious side effects patients often have to put up with constipation, allergies, edema, dizziness, headache (much like a nitroglycerine headache), fatigue and impotence.

ACE Inhibitors

These drugs prevent the production of angiotensin. Angiotensin is a hormone that not only increases the total volume of fluid in the body, but increases the degree of constriction of the blood vessels. Therefore, any ACE inhibitor will reduce the degree of constriction of the blood vessels and thereby reduce the blood pressure.

The side effects of the ACE inhibitors include dizziness, lightheadedness, orthostatic hypotension, headache, skin rashes, severely disturbed taste function, bone marrow suppression, lower blood cell levels, coughing (especially at night), elevated potassium levels, and consequently, kidney function problems.

Drugs in this class include: Captopril (Capoten); Enalapril (Vasotec); Lisinopril (Prinivil, Zestril); and Ramipril (Altace).

All Natural Alternatives

The natural alternatives are completely safe and if used properly can be highly effective in counteracting hypertension. There can be no misunderstanding about their potency if used properly: they gain effectiveness generally in association with changes in diet and life-style.

The natural alternatives discussed below are not listed in any particular order of preference. All should be used in association with dietary and life-style changes designed to reduce hypertension.

Cayenne

Forget about taking cayenne pepper in capsules. This may be a waste of time. You have to make a tincture of cayenne. You should not use the cayenne that is sold in health food stores unless the cayenne is rated at least 150,000 HU (Heat Units). There is only one way to take cayenne -- directly in the mouth. That's when the effects begin and they are almost instantaneous. In aborting an on-going heart attack or preventing an infarction from occurring in the first place, nothing works better than cayenne tincture, not even nitroglycerine.

The hotter the better. Look for and order cayenne that is 150,000 HU or better find a variety in the 250,000 HU to 300,000 HU range. Put a cup full of the powder in a pint canning jar and cover it with 80 proof (i.e. 40%) vodka. Then fill the jar to the top with additional vodka. Shake the mixture several times daily. Start the tincture when the moon is new and take it off no sooner than the next full moon (which occurs in 14 to 15 days), but preferrably after 3 to 6 months have passed. Filter carefully or put in a juicing bag and press the liquid out. Put in 1 oz amber medicine dropper bottles and use no less than 1 dropperful (a dropperful is the liquid that fills the glass dropper from 1 full bulb squeeze) once, twice or three times daily.

If you are not use to using cayenne this way, work your way up. Don't be a whimp; get serious with this stuff. If used properly cayenne tincture WILL save your life. A good way to get used to cayenne directly in the mouth follows: Use one-quarter of a dropperfull in 2 ounces of water in a juice glass. Repeat twice to three times daily. Next day go up to one-half a dropperfull, the next day up to three-fourths of a dropperfull in 2 ounces of water and on day four go up to one full dropperful in 2 ounces of water twice to three times daily. The next day put one dropperful in only 1 oz of water and repeat two to three times daily. After that simply put the dropperful directly in the mouth and then add the water. Now you can work your way up to 2 or three dropperfuls directly in the mouth 2 to 3 times daily if your blood pressure problem is serious enough.

There is far more to cayenne than simply heat. And it can be used for a variety of other cardiovascular-related problems. Cayenne is loaded with bioflavonoids and other phytochemicals which strengthen and protect the heart and all of the circulatory system. Cayenne also contains vitamins, minerals and trace elements, all of which promote cardiovascular health. Ever notice that cayenne rarely ever rots, and if dry, never. That's because properly dried, cayenne will destroy bacteria and give your immune system a real boost. It is reported that because Mexicans eat so much cayenne that bugs won't land on them and buzzards won't even eat a corpse because of the cayenne content. Cayenne contains vitamin A and vitamin C among others.

This is clearly the most powerful herb in the world. Nothing in the herbal or supplement arenas comes close to moving blood the way cayenne does. And it does it faster than any other product. When you need immediate changes nothing comes close to cayenne. And cayenne supercharges all other herbs it is used with.

For heart problems of all types simply use a tincture made from 1 part cayenne and 3 parts Hawthorn berries.

Add cayenne tincture or high heat unit cayenne powder to an herb like Ginkgo biloba and you create a Ginkgo that now acts like a powerhouse. Wow! Cayenne literally acts as if it were a specific carrier for the Ginkgo. It opens the vessels, dilates the capillaries and blood pressure drops but strangely the flow of blood increases to all areas of the body. The cayenne actually speeds the delivery of the Ginkgo into the various tissues, organs, brain, eyes, sinuses, etc. Ginkgo, as you may or may not know carries additional oxygen to the tissues. Put some kola nut and horseradish tincture or rosemary leaf with it and it will open up the head, delivering a Ginkgo rush to the brain. Brain function seems to instantaneously improve.

By adding cayenne to Ginkgo you can overcome depression within a matter of a few days. Another problem, tinnitus, or ringing in the ears, is gone in several days, not several months. Alzheimer's patients also respond well to the cayenne-Ginkgo combination.

An excellent formula for hypertension is to make a tincture using 1 part high heat cayenne, 2 parts fresh, crushed and mushed garlic bulb and 1 part fresh cut and crushed Ginger root. NOTE: A part is NOT a part by weight, but rather by volume. So 1 part of cayenne powder is some measure (i.e. a thimblefull, a cup full, a gallon jar full) and 2 parts of garlic bulb would represent 2 thimblefulls, or 2 cups, or 2 gallons, etc. Make a tincture using straight vodka or Everclear cut 50:50 with distilled water.

And when high heat unit cayenne powder or tincture is added to garlic, hypertension is reversed in about 3 days. With garlic alone blood pressure will eventually be lowered but it will take about 3 to 6 months for the effects to occur. For people with brain injuries or strokes it is imperative that blood pressure be reduced immediately.

Cayenne is also excellent for lowering cholesterol and increasing the fluidity of blood. To use cayenne this way, make a tincture from 1 part cayenne, 1 part garlic bulb and 3 parts Red Clover blossoms (when the flower blooms are red-violet - not brown).

Vitamin C.

Vitamin C levels show an inverse relationship with blood pressure. The higher the vitamin C levels the lower the blood pressure. It is unknown whether this effect is related to proper dietary habits or other effects. Therefore, it is advisable to increase vitamin C levels if you suffer from hypertension. And vitamin C will enhance the cayenne tinctures used above.

Use between 3,000 and 6,000 mg daily in divided doses spread throughout the day. This is known to improve the function of the adrenal glands and diminishes blood clotting.

Essential Fatty Acids

Linoleic acid found in flaxseed oil and other vegetable oils exhibits profound blood pressure loweing qualities. This may be due to their ability to elevate E series prostaglandins which are almost always low in patients with high blood pressure. Aspirin blocks this effect. That is, aspirin will block the ability of flaxseed oils and other oils rich in linoleic acid to to elevate certain prostaglandins known to reduce blood pressure.

Lecithin Granules

The emulsification of fat is vital to lowering blood pressure. Use 1 tablespoon 3 times daily BEFORE meals to achieve this effect. Lecithin capsules also work.

Vitamin E

Vitamin E improves several heart functions. Start with 100 IU daily for the first week. Then increase to 200 IU for the second through fourth week. At this time you are ready to go to 400 IU daily.

Celery

Celery is a special food that has the ability to reduce blood pressure. Celery contains a compound called 3-n-butyl phthalide which will significantly lower blood pressure (i.e. 12 to 14 percent) at the same time it lowers serum cholesterol (i.e. 7 percent). This effect can be achieved by eating at least 4 ribs of celery per day.

Garlic

Garlic is beneficial in lowring blood pressure. It also lowers serum cholesterol as well. Garlic alone can often lower systolic pressure between 20 mm Hg to 30 mm Hg and can reduce the diastolic pressure by up to 20 mm Hg in about 40 percent of people within one week. With some patients the time required may exceed 2 months to get this level of lowering. This effect requires what some practitioners believe to be rather large quantities of garlic (i.e. 3 to 4 cloves per day) which by other standards (see above) is not excessive. It is best to eat 3 to 4 cloves per day. But if this is not possible, then at least consume 1 full clove daily and supplement it with Kyolic (aged garlic extract) [2 capsules 3 times daily] and/or PGF400 [2 tablets 3 times daily] if necessary. Breath Asure capsules will keep the breath and body odors under control and socially acceptable.

High Fiber Foods

Virtually all high fiber foods have the ability to lower blood pressure. High fiber products such as oats, guar gum, apple pectin, psyllium seed and husks, dandelion roots, ginger roots, fenugreek seed powder, and fennel seed powder. Use about one to three tablespoons per day. This actually promotes weight loss, chelates metals and reduces cholesterol.

Sodium Restriction in Association with High Potassium Intake

This is particularly effective in lowering blood pressure. Many studies now show that salt reduction is without effect alone. But when low salt diets are used in association with high potassium intake (e.g. potassium broth), the blood pressure lowering effects can be significant.

Sugar Restriction

Common sugar actually elevates blood pressure while at the same time paralyzing the mobility of white blood cells (i.e. phagocytes). While it is known that sugar intake can lead to increased aldosterone secretion and hyperinsulinemia (elevated insulin levels), it also increases adrenaline secretion from the adrenal glands. Adrenaline (epinephrine) increases blood pressure. Therefore sugar restriction is mandatory. This means no more oatmeal cream cakes as a breakfast substitute. Shame on you.

CoEnzyme Q10

CoQ10 is a vital component in the manufacture of energy compounds such as AMP, ADP and the more familiar ATP. It is not at all uncommon for hypertensive individuals to exhibit profound deficiencies of this vital coenzyme. We have known for some time that CoQ10 deficiencies are typically present in cases of heart disease such as congestive heart failure, angina, and atherosclerosis. In cases of hypertension it is best to begin with a saturating dose of CoQ10 and once saturation levels are reached, cut back on the dose level because of the expense involved. Start with 300 mg per day for 3 days, drop to 200 mg per day for 3 days, then to 150 mg per day for 6 days and 100 mg per day for the remainder of the month. If the blood pressure reduction is satisfactory, continue at a dose level of no less than 50 mg per day.

Calcium

The daily use of calcium supplements is known to reduce blood pressure. Hypertensives should consume at least 1.5 grams (i.e. 1500 mg) of elemental calcium daily for a minimum of 3 months, preferrably 6 months to see the desired effects.

Magnesium

This metal is even more potent in lowering blood pressure. It has been known for nearly three quarters of a centure that magnesium will lower blood pressure and prevent angina.

Magnesium dose levels should range from 750 to 1000 mg per day.

It is unfortunate that the availability of valuable information is so restricted by the medical monopoly since within recent years magnesium has been shown to be just as effective as Cardizem (a calcium channel blocker) in blocking the slow calcium channels. This means that hundreds of thousands of men made impotent by Cardizem could have been prevented by simply using magnesium instead. But then again the pharmaceutical cartel would have suffered billions of dollars in losses.

Bromelain

This enzyme aids in the digestion of fats and will work to lower blood pressure. Follow label directions.

Proteolytic Enzymes

When it comes to cleansing the circulatory system nothing can compare to the rapid action of proteolytic enzymes. Depending on the particular product, use 1 or 2 capsules with meals and 1 or 2 capsules between meals. Generally speaking, enzymes used with meals promote and facilitate digestion of foods while enzymes used between meals and at bedtime promote internal replenishment of enzyme stores or internal cleansing.

Gamma Oryzanol

This particular multipurpose enzyme preparation is particularly effective in digesting plaque from arteries. Use according to label direction but between meals and at bedtime.