Review of some effective nutrients for high blood pressure

For the purpose of this review, the researchers decided that a supplement that lowered systolic blood pressure (the top figure) 9 mm of Hg or greater and/or lowered diastolic blood pressure 5 mm Hg or greater was beneficial for high blood pressure. The evidence of benefit had to come from published, peer-reviewed trials. Benefit exists for Coenzyme Q10, Fish Oils, Garlic, Vitamin C, and L-Arginine. The review was performed by researchers at the University of Mississippi School of Pharmacy and is published in the May 2004 issue of the Journal of Clinical Hypertension.

Evidence that Hawthorn benefits the entire cardiovascular system mounting

Hawthorn may play a role in both the prevention and treatment of cardiovascular diseases including hypertension (high blood pressure), hyperlipidemia (high levels of artery clogging fats in the blood), and in particular, congestive heart failure. Evidence is accumulating that Hawthorn protects the heart during a heart attack, decreases the risk of arrhythmias (improper rythm of the heart beat), lowers blood fats, and lowers elevated blood pressure. The review was performed by the Emergency Resuscitation Center, Department of Medicine Section of Emergency Medicine, University of Chicago, Illinois, and is published in the current issue of the American Journal of Chinese Medicine 2005;33(1).

Grape Seed Extract rejuvenates the brain of elederly rats

There is mounting evidence that strong antioxidant foods reverse aging in key areas of the brain needed for memory and learning, and for mobility. Free radical damage (oxidative stress) is a major factor that contributes to the oxidation of fats in the brain with aging and the age related decline in brain antioxidant levels and activity. In this study, rats were split into four groups, young and old rats not on grape seed extract, and young and old rats supplemented with Grape Seed extract for 30 days. The age-associated lipid peroxidation (the rancidifying of brain fats) was found in the spinal cord, cerebral cortex, striatum, and the hippocampus of aged rats. The cerebral cortex concerns thought processes, conscious experience, emotion, thought, planning, and perception, etc. The straitum responds to dopamine and controls movement, balance, and walking, and the hippocampus is needed for memory and learning. Antioxidant enzymes such as Superoxide Dismutase and Catalase and nonenzyme antioxidants such as Glutathione, Vitamin C, and Vitamin E were found to be significantly decreased in all of these brain regions of old rats when compared to young rats. However, elderly rats supplemented with high levels of Grape Seed Extract had their antioxidant defenses restored to that of young rats and the oxidation of brain fats also was restored to levels of the much younger brains. The study is published in the August 5th, 2005 issue of Neuroscience Letters.