Vitamin Supplement Health Guide

Many of us do not partake in the healthy benefits of a proper diet. Supplementation with vitamins is a great resource to incorporate those healthy benefits we are lacking. However, it is futile to think that continuing a poor diet and taking these vitamins will fill the gap in our diet. In order to reap the benefits of vitamins, we must try to implement a healthier way of eating.

If someone has high blood pressure, it is imperative that they choose a healthier diet. Otherwise, the body does not have the strength it needs to fight the disease. Using supplements and continuing to eat a diet high in saturated fat and red meat is futile as the liver becomes overtaxed with its already over burdened job of weeding out the bad stuff in your food.

At any rate, if you’re hoping to find a natural way to lower your blood pressure, supplements can help, that is, if you’re already trying to eat healthier. The following supplements are beneficial for lowering blood pressure:

1) CoQ10 – Coenzyme Q10 helps to strengthen and oxygenate heart muscles and contributes to metabolic processes. Studies have proven its significant benefit in treating both cardiovascular disease and hypertension. Take as directed on the bottle.

2) Essential Fatty Acids or EFA’s – This supplement is commonly found in fish oils and flaxseed oils and is said to contribute to the decrease in blood lipids and pressure. The Eskimos have a low rate of cardiovascular disease which is attributed to the fact that their diets consist mainly of coldwater fish.

3) Vitamin E – Not only is this vitamin a scavenger of free radicals, it also helps to protect against heart attack and stroke. In addition, having a low level of this vitamin in the body is a primary indicator of heart disease.

4) Calcium – This well known vitamin isn’t just for bone strength, it also helps maintain normal blood pressure. Research studies have proven that calcium can help modify high blood pressure in some patients.

5) Nicotinc Acid – This compound found in Niacin is shown in recent research to significantly lower cholesterol and triglyceride levels in the body.

Other beneficial nutrients able to aid in lowering blood pressure include Zinc, Ginger, Vitamin D, Lecithin (granule or capsules), and Chromium.

Furthermore, there are several herbs that have beneficial properties for fighting hypertension. However, it is imperative that you consult a physician before taking any supplements as they can have severe interactions with any prescribed medications you may be taking.

Here are a few herb combinations that can assist in lowering blood pressure. Garlic, Valerian Root, Black Cohosh Root, Kelp, Cayenne, Blessed Thistle and Parsley Leaves. These herbs come in capsule form and are suggested to be taken four to eight times a day. However, once the desired blood pressure has been reached, it is important to gradually lower the dosage to maintain it. In addition, women who are pregnant or nursing should not use this combination.

By Jack Bateman

The field of human nutrition is cluttered with controversial topics. One of the biggest controversies that persists today is the multiple vitamin supplement. Animal studies have shown for 40 years that nutritional optimization is beneficial in attaining optimal health. It has been the persistent claim of the American Medical Association over the past 30 years that only malnourished people and pregnant females need vitamin supplements. The question is: can a person optimize their nutritional intake in order to consume optimal levels of micronutrients (vitamins and minerals)? To answer that question we cite a nutritional analysis of a hypothetical one day optimized menu containing the following: orange Juice, blueberries, multiple grain bread, egg, Smart Balance (a butter substitute), plantains, carrots, brown rice, black beans, roast white meat chicken, celery, broccoli, peanuts, apple juice, salmon, sweet potato, spinach, grape juice, pear, and tangerine.

The following list displays the nutritional parameters analyzed, compared to RDA values and ideal micronutrient levels (Kenneth Cooper, Kenneth Pellet) in an optimized 2000 CALORIES menu:

• CALCIUM-660mg, compared to an RDA of 1000mg
• IRON-15mg, compared to an RDA of 18mg
• ZINC-9.9mg, compared to 15mg
• Other nutritional values are within RDA values.

Interestingly, the saturated fat/monounsaturated fat/polyunsaturated fat ratio should minimally be 1/1/1, is actually 11/21/14. This ratio is consistent with the Mediterranean Diet. In the research journal article: Block, et.al. “Usage patterns, health, and nutritional status of long-term multiple dietary supplement users: a cross-sectional study.” Nutrition Journal. 30:12 pages. October 24, 2007, they concluded that the study group that daily consumed a broad array of vitamin/mineral and herbal supplements were more likely to have optimal blood levels of micronutrients than the unsupplemented control group. They also were less likely to have high blood pressure and diabetes. There are numerous research articles that recommend the use of multiple vitamin/mineral supplements. In all fairness there are conflicting journal articles that suggest harmful effects of supplements. The AMA is always quick to warn potential supplement users of the dangers of overdosing on the fat soluble vitamins: A, E, D, and K. They often imply that these dangers apply to all supplements.

In a study: Zhang, et.al. “Effect of multiple micronutrient supplementation on anti-oxidative activity and oxidized DNA damage of lymphocytes in children”, Ahongjua Liu Xing Bing Xue Za Zhi, 26:268-72. April 26, 2005, on multiple micronutrient supplements in children, the researchers concluded that “supplementation of multiple micronutrients could effectively increase the (blood) levels of beta carotene, vitamin A, vitamin E, vitamin C and Selenium.” They also measured a significant decrease in oxidized DNA (gene damage), decreased levels of hydrogen peroxide (a natural, inadvertent oxidation byproduct of metabolism that is harmful to cells) and increased levels of glutathione peroxidase (enzyme that destroys hydrogen peroxide, thus protecting the cell). We can conclude that a multiple micronutrient supplement of the highest quality is an advisable part of any person’s nutritional regimen in order to obtain optimal health status.