Supplements

Supplements and Vitamins for High Blood Pressure

There are some dietary supplements that may help with managing high blood pressure, but it's important to note that they should not replace any medications or lifestyle changes recommended by your doctor.

Speak with a healthcare provider before taking any supplements for hypertension, as some supplements can interact with medications and cause unwanted side effects, such as hypotension, if blood pressure is lowered too much.

That being said, there are supplements on the market that may aide in lowering blood pressure. There is no solid evidence, and some may just be placebo, however, the most well documented ones will be explained below.

Does L-arginine Lower Blood Pressure?

Arginine is an amino acid that is used by the body to produce nitric oxide, a compound that helps dilate blood vessels and improve blood flow. Some studies have suggested that arginine supplements may help lower blood pressure in people with hypertension, but the evidence is mixed.

While some studies have found that arginine supplementation may have a small but significant effect on lowering blood pressure, others have found no significant effect. Additionally, some studies have found that arginine supplementation may be more effective in people with mild hypertension, and may not be as effective in people with more severe hypertension.

L-citrulline for High Blood Pressure

Citrulline is an amino acid that is naturally found in foods such as watermelon, cucumbers, and pumpkins. It is also available as a dietary supplement and has been researched for its potential health benefits.

One of the proposed benefits of citrulline is its ability to lower blood pressure. However, while some studies have suggested that citrulline may have a modest effect on reducing blood pressure, the evidence is still limited and conflicting.

When citrulline is taken as a dietary supplement, it can increase the levels of arginine in the body, which in turn can lead to an increase in nitric oxide production. Nitric oxide helps to promote vasodilation, or the widening of blood vessels, which can help to reduce blood pressure.

Additionally, citrulline may also help to improve endothelial function, which can contribute to its blood pressure-lowering effects. The endothelium is the inner lining of blood vessels, and when it is functioning properly, it helps to regulate blood pressure. By improving endothelial function, citrulline may help to promote vasodilation and reduce blood pressure.

Agmatine

Agmatine is a naturally occurring amino acid that is derived from the breakdown of arginine, another amino acid. While there is some research suggesting that agmatine may have a number of health benefits, including potential benefits for blood pressure, the evidence is not yet conclusive.

Some animal studies have suggested that agmatine may have a blood pressure-lowering effect. However, human studies have been limited and the results have been mixed. Some studies have shown a small decrease in blood pressure in people taking agmatine supplements, while others have not found any significant effects.

Is Magnesium Good For High Blood Pressure?

Magnesium is involved in several processes in the body that help regulate blood pressure. One way that magnesium may help to lower blood pressure is by acting as a natural calcium channel blocker. Calcium channel blockers are medications commonly used to treat high blood pressure by relaxing the blood vessels, which allows blood to flow more easily and reduces pressure on the vessel walls. Magnesium has a similar effect on the blood vessels, which can help to reduce blood pressure.

Magnesium may also help to lower blood pressure by improving the function of the endothelium, which is the inner lining of the blood vessels. When the endothelium is functioning properly, it produces substances that help to keep the blood vessels relaxed and dilated, which reduces pressure on the vessel walls. Magnesium has been shown to improve endothelial function, which may help to reduce blood pressure.

In addition, magnesium plays a role in regulating the levels of certain hormones, such as aldosterone and renin, which are involved in blood pressure regulation. By helping to balance these hormones, magnesium may help to lower blood pressure.

Overall, while the exact mechanisms by which magnesium helps to lower blood pressure are not fully understood, it appears to have multiple beneficial effects on the cardiovascular system.

Garlic for High Blood Pressure

Garlic is a natural remedy that has been used for centuries to treat a variety of health conditions, including high blood pressure. While the exact mechanisms by which garlic lowers blood pressure are not yet fully understood, there are several theories:

Vasodilation: Garlic contains compounds such as allicin, which can help to relax the blood vessels, allowing blood to flow more easily and reducing pressure on the vessel walls.
Nitric oxide production: Garlic may also stimulate the production of nitric oxide, a molecule that helps to dilate blood vessels and improve blood flow.
Antioxidant properties: Garlic is rich in antioxidants, which can help to reduce oxidative stress and inflammation in the body. These factors have been linked to high blood pressure, and reducing them may help to improve blood pressure levels.
ACE inhibition: Some studies suggest that garlic may help to inhibit the activity of angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE), which is involved in regulating blood pressure. By inhibiting ACE, garlic may help to reduce blood pressure levels.

They even make Garlic premade supplements, as Garlique! Skip the bad breath.

Does Fish Oil (Omega 3s) Lower Blood Pressure?

Fish oil, which is rich in omega-3 fatty acids, has been shown to have several potential benefits for cardiovascular health, including lowering blood pressure. There are several mechanisms by which omega-3 fatty acids may help to reduce blood pressure:

Vasodilation
Anti-inflammatory effects: Omega-3 fatty acids have anti-inflammatory properties, which may help to reduce inflammation in the blood vessels and improve their function
Reduced cardiac output: Omega-3 fatty acids may help to reduce cardiac output, which is the amount of blood the heart pumps each minute. By reducing cardiac output, omega-3 fatty acids can help to reduce the amount of pressure on the blood vessels.
Reduced sympathetic nervous system activity

Overall, while the exact mechanisms by which omega-3 fatty acids lower blood pressure are not fully understood, it appears to have multiple beneficial effects on the cardiovascular system. However, the blood pressure-lowering effect of omega-3 fatty acids may be modest, and it may take several weeks or months of regular supplementation to see significant improvements in blood pressure levels.

Taurine and Blood Pressure

Taurine is an amino acid that is found naturally in the body and is also present in some foods and dietary supplements. Taurine has been shown to have several potential benefits for cardiovascular health, including its ability to lower blood pressure. There are several mechanisms by which taurine may help to reduce blood pressure:

Vasodilation: Taurine can help to relax the blood vessels, lowering BP.
Inhibition of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS): Taurine has been shown to inhibit the activity of the RAAS, which is a system in the body that regulates blood pressure. By inhibiting the RAAS, taurine can help to reduce blood pressure levels.
Improved endothelial function: Taurine may help to improve the function of the endothelium, which is the inner lining of the blood vessels. When the endothelium is functioning properly, it produces substances that help to keep the blood vessels relaxed and dilated, which reduces pressure on the vessel walls.
Reduced sympathetic nervous system activity

Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) and Blood Pressure

Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) is a natural compound that is present in every cell of the body and is essential for the production of energy. CoQ10 has also been shown to have several potential benefits for cardiovascular health, including its ability to lower blood pressure. There are several mechanisms by which CoQ10 may help to reduce blood pressure:

Vasodilation
Antioxidant effects: CoQ10 has antioxidant properties, which may help to reduce oxidative stress and inflammation in the blood vessels.
Improved endothelial function
Reduced sympathetic nervous system activity

Folic Acid and Blood Pressure

Folic acid, also known as folate or vitamin B9, is a water-soluble vitamin that plays an important role in several bodily functions, including the production and maintenance of new cells, DNA synthesis, and the metabolism of amino acids. Folic acid has also been shown to have potential benefits for cardiovascular health, including lowering blood pressure.

There are several ways in which folic acid may lower blood pressure:

Reduction of homocysteine levels: High levels of the amino acid homocysteine in the blood have been linked to an increased risk of cardiovascular disease, including hypertension. Folic acid helps to lower homocysteine levels by converting it into methionine, another amino acid.
Improved endothelial function
Increased nitric oxide production
Reduced inflammation: Chronic inflammation is a key contributor to hypertension, and folic acid has been shown to have anti-inflammatory effects. By reducing inflammation, folic acid may help to lower blood pressure.

Beetroot and Blood Pressure

Beetroot supplements contain nitrates, which can be converted into nitric oxide in the body. Nitric oxide is a signaling molecule that helps to dilate blood vessels, which can help to lower blood pressure.

When you consume beetroot supplements, the nitrates in the supplements are converted into nitric oxide in the body. Nitric oxide then signals the smooth muscle cells in blood vessels to relax, which allows the vessels to widen and increases blood flow. This widening of blood vessels can help to reduce blood pressure, as there is less resistance to blood flow through the vessels.

Vitamin D and Blood Pressure

The exact mechanisms by which vitamin D may help to lower blood pressure are not yet fully understood, but there are several theories. One theory is that vitamin D may help to improve the function of the endothelium, which is the lining of blood vessels. This improved function can lead to better regulation of blood pressure.

Another theory is that vitamin D may help to lower blood pressure by inhibiting the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS)

Vitamin D may also help to reduce inflammation in the body, which is thought to play a role in the development of high blood pressure.

Does Potassium Lower Blood Pressure?

Potassium is an essential mineral that helps to regulate blood pressure by balancing the amount of sodium in the body. When there is too much sodium in the body, it can lead to high blood pressure. Potassium helps to counteract this effect by promoting the excretion of sodium through the kidneys, which helps to lower blood pressure.

Potassium supplements can help to increase the amount of potassium in the body, which can promote the excretion of sodium and lower blood pressure. Research has shown that increasing dietary potassium intake can help to lower blood pressure, and potassium supplements can be a convenient way to achieve this.

The most common for of supplementation is with Potassium Citrate capsules or through salt alternatives, such as Nu-Salt which contains Potassium Chloride (as opposed to table salt which is Sodium Chloride). Potassium Chloride tastes mostly like table salt, but not 100%.

Does Melatonin Lower Blood Pressure?

Melatonin is a hormone produced by the pineal gland in the brain that helps to regulate sleep-wake cycles. In addition to its role in sleep regulation, melatonin has also been shown to have some blood pressure-lowering effects.

One theory is that melatonin may help to reduce sympathetic nervous system activity, which can contribute to high blood pressure.

Another theory is that melatonin may help to improve endothelial function. Melatonin has shown relatively potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects on the body.

Berberine and Blood Pressure

Berberine is a natural compound found in several plants, including goldenseal, Oregon grape, and barberry.

There is some evidence to suggest that berberine may have blood pressure-lowering effects. Several studies have shown that berberine can help to reduce both systolic and diastolic blood pressure in people with hypertension (high blood pressure).

For example, a meta-analysis of 14 randomized controlled trials found that berberine supplementation was associated with significant reductions in both systolic and diastolic blood pressure compared to placebo.

Vitamin K2 and Blood Pressure

Vitamin K2 is a type of vitamin K that is found in some animal products and fermented foods. It has been shown to have several health benefits, including potential blood pressure-lowering effects.

One way that vitamin K2 may help to lower blood pressure is by reducing the buildup of calcium in the arteries. Calcium buildup in the arteries can contribute to high blood pressure and increase the risk of heart disease. Vitamin K2 helps to activate a protein called matrix GLA protein (MGP), which helps to prevent calcium from depositing in the arteries. This can help to improve blood vessel function and lower blood pressure.

K2 may also lower inflammation in the body leading to lessened hypertension as well.

Hibiscus Tea and Blood Pressure

Hibiscus is a flowering plant that is commonly used to make tea. It is also known as "roselle" or "sour tea." Hibiscus tea has been shown to have blood pressure-lowering effects, likely due to its high content of flavonoids and anthocyanins, which are antioxidants that have been shown to have several health benefits.

One way that hibiscus tea may help to lower blood pressure is by acting as a natural diuretic, which can help to reduce the amount of fluid in the blood vessels and reduce blood volume. This can help to lower blood pressure.

Additionally, hibiscus tea may help to relax blood vessels. It is thought that the flavonoids and anthocyanins in hibiscus tea may help to improve the production of nitric oxide, which is a molecule that helps to relax blood vessels.

Hawthorn and Blood Pressure

Hawthorn is a plant that has been traditionally used for medicinal purposes, particularly for cardiovascular health. Hawthorn supplements are commonly used for their potential blood pressure-lowering effects.

Hawthorn is thought to lower blood pressure by several mechanisms. One way is by improving blood flow and circulation. Hawthorn contains flavonoids, which have been shown to improve the dilation of blood vessels, allowing blood to flow more easily and reducing blood pressure.

Hawthorn may also improve the health of the heart muscle, which can lead to improved heart function and lower blood pressure. Hawthorn contains compounds called procyanidins, which have been shown to help protect the heart muscle from damage and improve its ability to pump blood.

Also, hawthorn may have a mild diuretic effect, which can help to reduce the amount of fluid in the blood vessels and lower blood pressure.