Antioxidants may protect the Blood Vessels and Kidneys of Patients with Hypertension

In normal metabolism the use of oxygen generates free radicals. Free radicals can cause local inflammation and tissue destruction. The kidneys and blood vessels are saturated with oxygen-metabolism generated free radicals. If there is not a sufficient pool of antioxidants (the antidote to free radicals) available, the balance of antioxidants - free radicals is overwhelmed and free radical tissue damage can go on unchecked. In both experimental and human hypertension (high blood pressure) there is a low amount of available antioxidants. There is powerful experimental proof that increased generation of free radicals in the blood vessels and kidneys of patients with high blood pressure leads to worse levels of hardening of the arteries and also the high blood pressure related kidney disease. The proper antioxidants can prevent or even reverse dangerous high blood pressure related damage to the blood vessels and kidney failure. The study is published in the July 19th issue of Hypertension, a journal of the American Heart Association.

Commentary by Jerry Hickey, R.Ph.

Antioxidants that would be useful in both the kidneys and blood vessels would include the following - GliSODin SOD, L-Carnosine, Grape Seed OPCs, Resveratrol, Astaxanthin, Mixed Tocopherols with Mixed Tocotrienols, Soy Isoflavones, Green Tea EGCG, and Aged Garlic. The amino acids Taurine, and L-Arginine are very helpful, and so are fish oil Omega-3 fatty acids, as well as the mineral magnesium.

The Wrong Foods Can Cause Diabetes

In a study including 37,000 women aged 45 or greater followed for an average of eight years it was found that eating five or more servings of processed meat each week increased the risk of their developing diabetes by 43%. Women who ate 5 or more servings of unprocessed red meat each week had a 29% increased risk. The study appears in the September 2004 issue of the journal Diabetes Care.

Commentary by Jerry Hickey, R.Ph.

Another recent study showed that people who frequently drank sodas sweetened with corn syrup had an 80% increased risk of developing diabetes. We need to remove corn syrup, white table sugar, bleached flour, and saturated and trans-fats from our diets. Focus on fresh vegetables, fresh whole fruits, legumes and whole grains, some fresh non-salted nuts (they are fattening), antioxidants, vitamins, minerals, sleep, and exercise to protect us from diabetes.