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| Life Extension
Update Exclusive Increased folate lowers blood
pressure in women
In a study presented at the American Heart Association's 58th Annual
High Blood Pressure Research Conference on October 11 2004, it was
found that younger women whose intake of the B vitamin folate is
high have a reduced risk of hypertension compared to those whose
intake is low. Hypertension risk in older women was also, to a lesser
extent, reduced by increased folate.
Research fellow at Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston, John
P. Forman, MD, and colleagues utilized data from the Nurses Health
Study I, which included women aged 43 to 70, and the Nurses Health
Study II, which involved women ages 26 to 46. Food frequency questionnaires
completed at the beginning of the study and every four years were
analyzed to determine the dietary and supplementary folate intake
of the 150,000 participants. Blood pressure information was reported
on questionnaires every two years.
It was found that among women aged 26 to 46 whose dietary and supplemental
folate intake was in the top fifth at over 800 micrograms per day
there was a 29 per lower risk of hypertension than those whose intake
was in the lowest one-fifth, at 200 micrograms per day. Women in
the top fifth of the older group experienced a risk of hypertension
that was 13 percent lower.
When women whose intake of folate from diet alone was 200 micrograms
or less were studied separately, those in the younger group who
were taking 800 micrograms supplemental folic acid per day had a
48 percent reduction in hypertension risk compared to those who
did not take folic acid, and women in the older group experienced
a 40 percent reduction.
Because folate reduces homocysteine levels, it may help prevent
damage to blood vessels that can lead to hypertension. The vitamin
may also help relax the vessels, according to Dr Forman.
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| Protocol
Hypertension
Hypertension (high blood pressure) is the primary and most important
manifesting symptom of hypertensive vascular disease. A diseased
vasculature predisposes one to further hypertension, and thus, further
vascular disease. Hypertension often progresses with the development
of various diseases involving the circulatory system, such as arteriosclerosis,
atherosclerosis, coronary heart disease, congestive heart failure,
and disorders of coagulation (stroke, hemorrhage, heart attack),
immunity (inflammation, infection), and diabetes. All of these disorders
are both causative and secondary to the development of hypertension.
The DASH study (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension) clearly
indicates a strong dietary role for adequate potassium, calcium,
and magnesium, as derived from natural diets, as beneficial to cardiovascular
diseases (Appel et al. 1997). Oral potassium supplements lower blood
pressure (Whelton et al. 1997). The mechanism of action of potassium
may include natriuresis, reduced renin release, antagonism of the
pressor effects of angiotensin II, direct vasodilation, enhanced
endothelial-dependent vasodilation, decreased vasoconstrictive thromboxanes,
and increased vasodilatory kallidin (Morris and Sebastian 1995).
Nutritional Recommendations
- Avoid sodium (salt) intake. One-third to one-half of the people
with hypertension are significantly benefited by lowering salt
intake. Many respond better to their medications when on a low
salt diet. Avoid foods containing salt like potato chips, salted
nuts and seeds, ham, and other mostly canned prepared foods. Too
much salt is typically added to many foods and menu items.
- Take coenzyme Q10, 200 to 300 mg per day to lower blood pressure,
prevent oxidation, and stabilize cellular membranes.
- Take essential fatty acids, especially GLA and DHA, ideally
in a 2:1 ratio. We recommend three Super GLA/DHA caps (GLA 460
mg, DHA 500 mg, EPA 200 mg) along with one Mega EPA/DHA (EPA 360
mg, DHA 240 mg).
- Take vitamin E, 200-400 IU, as a mixture of gamma and alpha-tocopherols
and tocotrienols to prevent peroxidation of polyunsaturated fatty
acids.
- Take vitamin C, 2000 mg, three times a day as an antioxidant.
- Take potassium, through the use of No-Salt or Lite-Salt, and
confer with your doctor. (The DASH diet recommends 500 mg per
day.)
- Take arginine in doses of 4500 mg, three times per day.
- Take Super MiraForte to effectively increase free testosterone
levels, thus lowering blood pressure. One to two capsules per
day.
Secondary Nutritional Approaches
- Take magnesium, 500 to 1500 mg per day (DASH diet).
- Take calcium, 1000 elemental mg per day (DASH diet).
- Take low-dose aspirin, 1/4 aspirin tablet every day with the
heaviest meal of the day, to reduce possible cardiovascular complications
associated with hypertension.
- Consider taking garlic, 1500 to 6000 mg per day, though garlic
is probably more effective for other established cardiovascular
diseases.
- Consider nutrients that lower homocysteine levels, such as folic
acid, B6, B12, and trimethylglycine (if your homocysteine levels
are over 7 micromoles/Liter, to prevent endothelial cell damage).
http://www.lef.org/protocols/prtcl-060.shtml
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Editor, Life Extension Update
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