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rbkh & Healing. ~JFJj,~ll&JL \w~lL,~(I)]M[)], rn~]!J@m1r . BLOODPRESSURE TESTSTHATPROVIDE A RELIABLE READING . SHOPPINGLIST FOR LOWERING BLOOD PRESSURE . A SWEETSOLUTIONTO HIGHBLOODPRESSURE . A NON-DRUG PROGRAMTO LOWER BLOODPRESSURE The Untold TruthAbout HighBlood Pressure The Untold Truth About High Blood Pressure Diagnosing Hypertension: What to Look Out FOL How High Is High? Hypertension Classification System What Causes High Blood Pressure? Diet Is Key to Healthy Blood Pressure Pay Attention to Sodium, But Don't Forget About "Mineral K" l 1 l 2 3 Shopping Listfor Lowering Blood Pressure How to Lower Blood Pressure Fast 4 5 Exercise Your Way to Normal Blood Pressure Nutritional Supplements: Indispensable Therapies for Hypertension Antioxidants Guard Against Free-Radical Damage B-Complex Vitamins Protect the Arteries Magnesium Relaxes the Arteries Fish Oil Has Broad Benefits for the Cardiovascular System Coenzyme QlO for Hypertension Hawthorn: An Herb for the Heart A Gift From the Sea 5 Other Effective Therapies for Hypertension EDTA Chelation Therapy Gets the Lead Out Breathingfor Hypertension EECP Improves Circulation Reverse Stroke Damage With HBOT Commit to Optimal Health Resources 3 .5 5 6 6 6 7 7 7 7 7 8 8 8 9 9 @2006,HealthyDirections,LLC.Photocopying,reproduction,or quotationstrictly prohibitedwithoutwritten permissionfr Note: Julian Whitaker, MD,has extensive experience in the areas of preventive medicine and natural healing. All recomme report have met stringent criteria for safety and effectiveness; however, they have not been reviewed by the Food and Dru The recommendations in this report are not intended to replace the advice of your physician, and you are encouraged to se competent medical professionals for your personal health needs. T he next time you're out in a crowd, take a look around you. Nine out of ten of those in their midfifties and older either have high blood pressure or will develop it at some point in their lives. Hypertension has truly reached epidemic proportions in our country. It currently affects 65 million Americans - one in three adults - and the worst of it is that a third of them don't even know they have it. This is bad news, because hypertension isn't called "the silent killer" for nothing. The relentless stress elevated blood pressure places on the heart and blood vessels has serious repercussions. It triples your risk of dying from a heart attack, quadruples your risk of heart failure, and increases your risk of stroke sevenfold. It is also a significant contributor to kidney disease and dementia. Worst of all, it has few warning signs. Some hints of undiagnosed hypertension are headaches in the back of the head and upper neck, dizziness, fatigue, abnormal sweating, insomnia, shortness of breath, excessive flushing, and vision problems. However, it sneaks up on most people and often goes undiagnosed until you find yourself in the emergency room with a heart attack or stroke. Now for the good news. Despite these alarming statistics, hypertension is not inevitable. The truth is that most of the risk factors for high blood pressure are firmly within your control. And if you've already been diagnosed with hypertension, by following my recommendations in this special report, chances are very good that you will be able to control your blood pressure naturally - without resorting to a lifetime of prescription drugs and their many side effects. DiagnosingHypertension: Whatto LookOutFor You've all had your blood pressure measured with a sphygmomanometer (an inflatable cuff attached to a gauge) and a stethoscope. It measures systolic blood pressure, which is generated when the heart beats, and diastolic pressure, which is maintained between beats when the heart is at rest. Your total blood pressure is expressed in millimeters of mercury (mm Hg), systolic first, then diastolic: have hypertension. Don't buy it. Blood pressure is not constant, and lots of things can temporarily elevate it. Ask for repeat readings in both arms several minutes apart. Do not chat with the person taking your blood pressure, and abstain from smoking and drinking coffee for a couple of hours prior to your test - all these things can raise blood pressure. Still high? Return to the clinic for two to five repeat tests on separate days. If after taking all of these precautions your blood pressure is elevated, ask your doctor about 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM). It involves wearing a small device that measures your blood pressure every 15 to 30 minutes for 24 hours. I like this test because it gives a true picture of a patient's around-the-clock blood pressure. It is not uncommon for blood pressure to be normal most of the time, then, because of the stress and anxiety of being in a doctor's office, to jump up during an examination. In fact, it's so common that it has a name: White coat hypertension. The reason I'm so concerned about the importance of getting a true reading on blood pressure is because as many as 12 million Americans may be misdiagnosed. According to a study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA), "twenty-one percent of the patients diagnosed as having borderline hypertension in the clinic were found to have normal blood pressure readings on ambulatory monitoring." If patients were treated with lifestyle changes like those we will discuss below, that would be one thing. But they're not. At the first sign of hypertension, conventional physicians whip out the prescription pad, and patients are started on a merry-go-round of drug dependency that may last a lifetime. How HighIs High? If a blood pressure reading of 140/90 mm Hg is indicative of hypertension, what is normal? In 2003, the Joint National Committee on Detection, Evaluation, and Treatment of High Blood Pressure (JNC 7), a National Institutes of Health task force, updated their blood pressure guidelines as follows: Hypertension Classification System 120 mm Hg - systolic blood pressure 80 mm Hg - diastolic blood pressure If your systolic blood pressure is greater than 140 mm Hg or your diastolic pressure is greater than 90 mm Hg, your doctor will probably tell you that you [!J Classification Systolic (mm Hg) Diastolic (mmHg) Normal Pre-hypertension Stage 1 Stage 2 <120 120-139 140-159 ~160 <80 80-89 90-99 ~1O0 The update isn't much different from previous versions, except for the new classification of prehypertension, and I have a problem with that. I believe that it is very important to aim low - less than 120/80 mm Hg is ideal. My concern, however, is that with these new guidelines, millions and millions of previously healthy people now have a "disease": Pre-hypertension. This is ridiculous! If people use the knowledge that their blood pressure is creeping upward to motivate them to institute lifestyle changes, fine. But if, as I fear, their physicians go straight to drug therapy, we're in for lots of problems down the road. Blood pressure lowering drugs are far from benign, and their side effects are so serious that half of all patients prescribed them quit taking them within one year. Anyway, they don't even work very well. A study published in The Lancet found that beta blockers, which have been prescribed for 30 years to treat high blood pressure, are not only ineffective, buy may actually increase risk of stroke in people who take them. Another study, published in the December 2004 issue of lAMA, showed that calcium channel blockers - another popular class of drugs for treating high blood pressure - alone, or in combination with diuretics, can increase risk of death. . . . What CausesHighBloodPressure? Given the poor track record of the drugs used to treat hypertension, it's high time we approach it from another angle: correcting the underlying factors that contribute to hypertension. Some of them you just cannot do anything about. These include sex (hypertension is more common in men until women reach menopause), race (Africanand Hispanic-Americans are at increased risk), and age (age-related thickening of the arteries increases risk). However, far more factors are under your control than you might suspect. Here are the most important ones: Poor diet: Excesses of unhealthful saturated and trans . . . . fats, sugar and other refined carbohydrates, and salt, and low intake of potassium-rich fruits and vegetables are definite players in hypertension. Many of these dietary factors also figure in insulin resistance (another risk factor for hypertension that we will discuss below). A healthful diet is the first step toward blood pressure control. . Nutritional deficiencies: Inadequate intakes of potassium, antioxidants, magnesium, calcium, essential fatty acids, and B-complex vitamins have all been linked to increased risk of hypertension. The only way to get optimal levels of these and other important nutrients is to take nutritional supplements. . Inactivity: The human body is wired for exercise, and a sedentary lifestyle is a significant contributor to hypertension, coronary artery disease, and other cardiovascular ailments. Exercise improves every single aspect of cardiovascular health, blood pressure included. Obesity: The single most significant risk factor for hypertension is obesity (being at least 20 percent above your ideal weight). It raises your risk of high blood pressure threefold. Merely losing weight has been enough to normalize blood pressure for many of my patients. A prudent diet and regular exercise are the only proven ways to achieve normal weight. Insulin resistance: At least 50 percent of all people with hypertension have an underlying condition called insulin resistance. Marked by elevated levels of insulin in the bloodstream, insulin resistance is also associated with increases in obesity, type 2 diabetes, and elevations in cholesterol and triglyceride levels. The diet, exercise, and nutritional supplement suggestions in this report will help control insulin resistance as well as hypertension. Smoking: Studies have shown that smoking just two cigarettes can result in increases of 11 mm Hg in systolic blood pressure and 9 mm Hg in diastolic blood pressure. Smokers with hypertension are also at much higher risk of heart attack and stroke, compared to people with hypertension who don't smoke. Giving up tobacco is imperative - and recent research suggests that pipes and cigars are harmful as well. To cut nicotine cravings, try Sulfonil, a sulfur-based supplement that binds to nicotine receptors. It is available from the Whitaker Wellness Institute at 800-810-6655. Dehydration: Chronic dehydration contributes to hypertension by causing the body to hold onto sodium. This increases blood volume and thus blood pressure. Make a point of drinking a minimum of eight and preferably 10 to 12 glasses of purified water every day. This surprisingly simple step can truly make a difference in blood pressure control. Excessive alcohol use: Although moderate use of alcohol protects against heart disease, excessive use is linked to an increased risk of high blood pressure. In a study conducted by the Kaiser Permanente Medical Care Program, having more than two to three drinks per day increased blood pressure by an average of 10 mm Hg. A drink or two a day is fine; more than that harms virtually every aspect of your health. Chronic stress: The stress response, which kicks into gear when we feel threatened or afraid, is a normal survival mechanism. Chronic stress, however, is associated with elevated levels of stress hormones that raise blood pressure. It is important to do whatever it takes (yoga, meditation, cutting back on things to give your- [2l . self more free time, or whatever works for you) to get a handle on stress. Certain drugs and environmental toxins: Some drugs, including corticosteroids, oral contraceptives, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, some antihistamines, and over-the-counter drugs and herbs containing caffeine or ephedra derivatives, can raise blood pressure. If you are taking one of these drugs, discuss this with your doctor. Elevations of lead, mercury, and other heavy metals can also increase blood pressure. Consider having a heavy metals test, and if your levels are high, undergo appropriate detoxification. Now that you know what may be causing your hypertension, I want to tell you about the program I've been using at the Whitaker Wellness Institute for more than 25 years to successfully help thousands of patients get their blood pressure under control. Diet Is Keyto HealthyBlood Pressure Diet is paramount for blood pressure control. Some experts maintain that proper diet could eliminate hypertension in 80 to 90 percent of those suffering with this condition. One of the largest, most comprehensive studies on the effects of diet in hypertension was the DASH (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension) study, which compared the effects of three different dietary approaches on 459 people with hypertension. The conclusion of this study was that a diet low in total and saturated fats and rich in fruits, vegetables, and low-fat dairy foods had a profound effect on blood pressure. It lowered systolic blood pressure by 11.4 mm Hg and diastolic by 5.5 mm Hg - a reduction comparable to the effects of drugs! The diet utilized in the DASH study is very similar to what I've recommended to patients for years: fruits, vegetables, legumes, low-fat dairy products, and lean animal protein. Here's what to aim for in a diet for reversing hypertension. Fats: Eat moderate amounts of the right types of fat. These include omega-3 fatty acids in flaxseed and cold-water fish, monounsaturated oils such as olive oil, and unprocessed omega-6 polyunsaturated fats in nuts, seeds, and vegetable oils. While these fats nourish the blood vessels and promote cardiovascular health, saturated and trans fats are another story. Saturated fats (in meat, whole-fat dairy, and other animal products) and especially trans fatty acids (in fried and processed foods) have deleterious effects on the cardiovascular system and should be avoided. Protein: Make sure you get adequate amounts of high-quality, low-fat protein from skinless poultry, fish and seafood, eggs, dairy products, tofu, whole grains, beans, legumes, and occasional servings of lean beef. The suggested serving size is four ounces of animal protein or tofu, a cup of nonfat or low-fat cottage cheese, or four to six egg whites. (The latest research gives whole eggs the thumbs up, as long as you limit your intake to seven a week. If you want more, eat as many egg whites as you please - they are almost pure protein.) Carbohydrates: Vegetables, fruits, and beans should be a mainstay of your diet. One reason is because they contain copious amounts of potassium, which is absolutely essential for people with hypertension. (More on this below.) They also have a lowglycemic index and promote a slow, sustained release of blood sugar and insulin. You should avoid starches, sugars, and other carbohydrates with a high-glycemic index. They are rapidly broken down in the digestive tract and cause a sharp rise in blood sugar and insulin. High-glycemic index foods contribute to insulin resistance, which, as discussed above, is a common underlying cause of hypertension. PayAttentionto Sodium,But Don'tForgetAbout"Mineral K" Most people with hypertension try to watch their salt intake, and excess sodium certainly can drive blood pressure up in susceptible individuals. It does this by increasing the amount of fluid in the bloodstream, which places more pressure on blood vessel walls. However, "mineral K" (potassium - K is its chemical abbreviation) is equally important, for it helps control sodium levels and has independent actions on blood pressure. In addition to promoting the excretion of excess sodium, potassium helps relax the smooth muscles of the arteries and is required for the proper functioning of blood-pres sure-regulating hormones in the kidneys. We eat way too much sodium. The average American gets 5,000 mg of sodium a day - the equiva- lent of two and a half teaspoons of salt. I certainly recommend that my patients with hypertension monitor their sodium intake, but I also tell them something conventional physicians rarely recommend: To eat more potassium-rich foods. Research suggests that the ideal ratio of sodium to potassium is 1:4. This means that for every milligram of sodium, you need 4 mg of potassium. If you follow the dietary guidelines outlined in this special report, you should have no trouble achieving this ratio. [2] (Continued on page 5) ShoppingListfor LoweringBloodPressure Make your grocery store your pharmacy with this list of foods for lowering blood pressure. Vegetables Eat lots of non-starchy vegetables, from broccoli to spinach to green beans and everything in between. Both fresh and frozen vegetables are great sources of fiber, potassium, and protective phytonutrients; canned tend to contain too much sodium. Potatoes and other starchy vegetables have a high glycemic index and should be eaten in moderation. Fruit Citrus fruits, apples, pears, berries, melons, and other fruits are also extremely nutrient dense. Starchy fruits like bananas have a higher glycemic index, but they also contain a lot of potassium; use in moderation. Fresh is best, but fruits that are canned or frozen in juice (not in sugar syrup) are acceptable. Limit fruit to one or two servings a day if you also have diabetes or high triglycerides. Beans and Legumes Any kind is great - full of fiber and potassium,lowin calories.Cookbeanswithoutsalt. If you use canned beans, rinse well in a colander to remove sodium. Breads I don't recommend a lot of bread. Most breads have a very high glycemic index and are best avoided. Exceptions are sprouted grain breads, which are made without flour, 100 percent rye bread, and pumpernickel bread. An occasional whole grain cracker (rye is best) or whole wheat tortilla is also acceptable, but don't go overboard on breads. Grains and Cereals Whole grains such as oatmeal (long cooking, not instant), barley, whole wheat, etc., are rich in fiber, and moderate servings (one-half cup) have a place in a healthful diet. If you're going to eat rice, eat it in moderation, and select long grain brown rice, which has the lowest glycemic index. Cold cereals, on the other hand, have a very high glycemic index and are not recommended. The only exception is 100 percent bran cereals. Pasta Although pasta has a moderate glycemic index, it is very carbohydrate dense, so don't overdo it. Limit servings to one-half cup. A tip to remember with pasta is to cook it al dente - no more than five minutes, preferably - until just barely tender. The longer you cook pasta the higher the glycemic index. Dairy Low-fat or nonfat milk, cottage cheese, sour cream, yogurt, and other dairy products are a good addition to your diet. Some cheese is fine, but be aware that it contains lots of saturated fat, calories, and sodium, so use in moderation. Oils Olive oil should be your cooking oil of choice, for it contains primarily monounsaturated fats, which are more stable when heated than polyunsaturated vegetable oils. You may use cold-pressed sunflower, safflower, corn, and other polyunsaturated oils in salad dressings, but do not heat them. Meats, Poultry, Fish, and Eggs Lean, skinless poultry should be a mainstay of your diet, and frozen, skinned, boned chicken breasts are particularly convenient. Turkey, fish, and seafood (salmon and other cold-water fish contain the most protective omega-3 fats), are also highly recommended. Look for lean beef in your health food store for an occasional treat. In addition to whole eggs, Egg Beaters or another egg-white product is good to have on hand. Sweeteners Purchase only low glycemic index sweeteners such as stevia and xylitol that won't wreak havoc with your blood sugar. Stevia is a natural, non-caloric herbal sweetener that is great in tea and coffee and can also be used in cooking. It is available in refined liquid and powdered form and also as an unrefined extract. (The dark liquid extract also has blood pressure lowering properties of its own.) Xylitollooks and tastes like sugar, but it has fewer calories and a very low glycemic index. Avoid artificial sweeteners like aspartame (Nutrasweet). Miscellaneous Look for low-sodium, low-sugar versions of prepared staples such as broth, soy sauce, spices, salsa, catsup, and other condiments. 0 (Continued from page 3) Vegetables, fruits, and other plant foods are loaded with potassium, yet contain very little sodium - their sodium-to-potassium ratios average 1:50. Some of the most potassium-rich foods include low-sodium V8 juice (12 ounces = 1,240 mg of potassium), bananas (one medium = 440 mg), avocado (one-half cup = 680 mg), dried coconut (one-third cup = 588 mg), beans (one= 1,000 to 1,600 mg, depending on type third cup dried of beans), and sea vegetables such as dulse (one-third cup = more than 8,000 mg). How to Lower Blood Pressure Fast Every once in a while, a patient comes to me with an urgent request to get his or her blood pressure down fast. One of them was John, who had applied for a job with the county government, had a required physical exam, and was shocked to learn that his blood pressure was 160/110 mm Hg. Desperate to get it down quickly, John started on what we call the Quick Start Diet. Originated by Dr. Walter Kempner of Duke University in the 1940s (he called it the rice-fruit diet), it allows all the rice, fruit, and vegetables you want, but nothing else. John was highly motivated, and he followed the diet to the letter. Two weeks later, his blood pressure was 130/60 mm Hg. He then added skinless poultry, fish, low-fat dairy, egg whites, and modest amounts of healthy fats to his diet, along with a nutritional supplement and exercise program, and within a month, his blood pressure was within normal limits, he lost 13 pounds, and his cholesterol fell from 231 to 168. In a study published in the American Journal of Cardiology, 60- to 69-year-olds with hypertension engaged in a regular low- or moderate-intensity exercise program for nine months. At the study's conclusion, systolic blood pressure decreased an average of 20 mm Hg in the low-intensity group - significantly more than the 8 mm Hg drop in the moderate-intensity group. Both groups had average drops of 11to 12 mm Hg reduction in diastolic pressure. This study is encouraging because it suggests that sustained, low-intensity training may be all you need to get your blood pressure under control. According to a National Health Interview Study, 72 percent of American women and 64 percent of American men confess to not exercising regularly. Yet just two hours a week is enough to make a difference. Everyone should be able to carve two hours out of their 168-hour week for exercise. That's just four brisk halfhour walks or several 10- to 15-minute "mini sessions." It's time to make the commitment, get started, and repeat the profound benefits of regular exercise. NutritionalSupplements: IndispensableTherapiesfor Hypertension Most of Dr. Kempner's patients reduced their blood pressure by at least 20 mm Hg, and I've seen similar results with numerous patients. With results like this, you would think that the medical community would take notice, but, since it's a lowly diet therapy rather than a hot new drug, the rice-fruit diet is ignored. Yes, it is restrictive, and I certainly don't recommend it for the long term, but if your blood pressure is alarmingly high, talk to your doctor about trying the Quick Start Diet for one to six weeks. It really works. Exercise Your Way to Normal Blood Pressure Exercise is one of the most important things you can do to improve health and increase longevity, and it is particularly important for the cardiovascular system. Exercise conditions the heart muscle and stimulates the production of collateral blood vessels, which naturally bypass blocked arteries. It raises protective HDL cholesterol, lowers triglycerides, helps decrease obesity, improves insulin sensitivity - and it reduces blood pressure. When you visit your doctor, you can expect to get a prescription for a drug - it's what they do. When you visit a doctor at the Whitaker Wellness Institute, expect to get a prescription for nutritional supplements - that's what we do. Our primary therapeutic tools at the clinic are diet, exercise, nutritional supplements, and a handful of other therapies, which we will discuss below. Just as conventional physicians have drug protocols for specific diseases, we have supplement protocols, and they work unbelievably well. Based on more than 25 years of treating patients with these safe, natural therapies, I'm convinced that nutritional supplements are the most powerful tools in medicine today. My single favorite nutritional supplement for hypertension is Balance3 (one to three tablets twice a day). It is very effective at lowering blood pressure, and its only side effect is that it occasionally makes people sleepy. We turn this liability into an asset by suggesting that patients take a larger dose at bedtime. (See Resources.) Let's take a look at some of the other supplements I recommend for the treatment of high blood pressure. Antioxidants Guard Against Free-Radical Damage Free-radical damage is recognized as the single largest contributor to degenerative disease, and cardiovascular disease is one of them. These unstable molecules contrib- 0 Scores of studies indicate that folic acid and vitamin ute to atherosclerosis,which injures the arteries, making them harder,narrower, less elastic, and less responsiveto changesin blood pressure.Therefore,an important part of your supplementprogram shouldbe antioxidants,which stabilize free radicals and end their chain reaction of destruction. Vitamin C is the most active antioxidant in the water-based portions of your tissues. In addition to blocking free-radical damage, it helps maintain the elasticity of the arterial walls. A 2001 study published in The Lancet found that blood levels of vitamin C were inversely related to death from heart disease - men and women with the lowest vitamin C levels were twice as likely to die of heart disease as those with the highest levels. The suggested dose is 1,500 to 3,000 mg per day. Very high-dose vitamin C may cause loose stools in some people, so start low and build up gradually. Vitamin E, which is the most active antioxidant in the lipid or fatty areas of cells, has been extensively studied for its effects on the cardiovascular system. It is especially adept at protecting LDL cholesterol from oxidation. The Cambridge Heart Antioxidant Study (CHAOS), a double-blind, placebo-controlled trial that involved 2,002 patients, concluded that people taking 400 to 800 IU of vitamin E daily had 75 percent fewer heart attacks than those taking a placebo. I recommend 400-800 IU of natural (not synthetic) vitamin E daily. El2 lower the risk of homocysteine-related diseases, and University of California San Francisco researchers proposed that daily doses of 1,000 mcg folic acid and 500 mcg B12 in supplement form could, over 10 years, result in 310,000 fewer deaths from heart disease alone. My recommendations for B-complex vitamins are 800-1,200 mcg folic acid, 150-1,000 mcg vitamin El2, and 75 mg vitamin B6. Magnesium Relaxes the Arteries Magnesium is another essential nutrient for the cardiovascular system. It increases the heart's supply of oxygen, reduces vessel blockages, and prevents the formation of blood clots. It decreases the frequency of angina and has proven benefits for heart failure and mitral valve prolapse. This mineral also lowers blood pressure. Multiple studies have demonstrated that people with the highest intakes of magnesium have the lowest blood pressure. In a 1998 study, 60 patients with hypertension, ages 33 to 74, were divided into two groups and given either oral magnesium or a placebo for eight weeks. The two groups were then crossed over - those on magnesium were switched to the placebo, and vice versa, for another eight weeks. Blood pressures were significantly lower when the patients were taking magnesium, and those with the highest blood pressure had the greatest reductions. Supplementation with magnesium is particularly important, for deficiencies are rampant. According to a 2003 study conducted by researchers at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, average intakes range from 221 mg a day for Hispanic-American women to 326 mg for Caucasian men, and intake decreases across all groups with increasing age. This is why I recommend a minimum of 500 mg of magnesium a day to all of my patients and 1,000 mg to those with any of the conditions discussed above. If you have kidney disease, talk to your doctor before increasing your intake. Otherwise, its only side effect is loose stools in some people. Other antioxidants that protect the cardiovascular system and should be taken along with vitamins C and E are vitamin A (5,000 IU), beta-carotene (15,000 IU), and selenium (200 mcg). B-Complex Vitamins Protect the Arteries Folic acid and vitamins B12 and B6 also provide powerful protection against heart disease and hypertension. They do this by normalizing levels of homocysteine, a toxic amino acid that damages the arteries and initiates atherosclerosis. Homocysteine blocks the production of nitric oxide. Nitric oxide protects the endothelial cells lining the arteries and relaxes the smooth muscle cells of the arteries, thus lowering blood pressure. FishOil HasBroadBenefitsfor the CardiovascularSystem The omega-3 fatty acids in fish oil modulate many of the mechanisms of cardiovascular disease. They help reduce inflammation and excessive blood clotting, lower cholesterol and especially triglyceride levels, and prevent dangerous heart arrhythmias. Fish oil also relaxes the arteries, preventing spasms that drive up blood pressure. This essential fat has also been found to reduce the An elevated homocysteine level is now recognized as a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease. In a study published in the New England Journal of Medicine, researchers concluded, "An increased plasma total homocysteine level confers an independent risk of vascular disease similar to that of smoking or hyperlipidemia. It powerfully increases the risk associated with smoking and hypertension." incidence of ventricular arrhythmia, the uncontrolled, irregular beating of the heart that is a primary cause of sudden cardiac death. In a study of more than 76,000 0 women, those with a higher intake of omega-3 fatty acids had a lower incidence of fatal heart attacks. drugs: ACE inhibitors. This fish peptide extract inhibits the action of angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE), which in turn blocks the production of angiotensin, a substance that activates hormones which cause the blood vessels to constrict and drive up blood pressure. Fish peptide extract relaxes the arteries so the "pipes" slightly dilate, and blood pressure goes down. The recommended dose of fish peptide extract is 750 mg twice a day. It should be taken along with a comprehensive daily vitamin and mineral supplement.It should not be taken by people taking an ACE-inhibitor drug. Otherwise, it is safe and has no known side effects. The suggested dose of fish oil is a minimum of two 1,000 mg capsules a day, and some patients take six or eight capsules daily. Fish oil is safe and best tolerated when taken with food. Coenzymea10 for Hypertension Coenzyme QlO (CoQlO) is involved in cellular energy production. In addition, it is a potent antioxidant that scavenges the free radicals that "leak" out of the mitochondria during energy production. It is an excellent therapy for all manner of cardiovascular diseases, including hypertension. Other Effective Therapies for Hypertension In a double-blind placebo-controlled study, 46 men and 37 women with systolic hypertension were given 60 mg of CoQlO or a placebo twice a day. After 12 weeks, there was a very impressive average reduction in systolic blood pressure of 17.8 mm Hg in the group taking CoQlO. This supplement is a must for anyone with high blood pressure. I recommend taking 200 mg a day, with meals. I also want to mention three more therapies that would be a tremendous benefit for anyone with hypertension - or for patients suffering with one of hypertension's most tragic consequences: Stroke. fOTA ChelationTherapyGetsthe LeadOut Hawthorn:An Herb for the Heart Hawthorn (Crataegus oxyacantha) is a native European shrub with a long traditional use as a medicinal herb. It contains a unique compound called vitexin that has potent antioxidant activity, improves the elasticity of the blood vessels, and enhances heart function. Hawthorn also relaxes and dilates the arteries and inhibits ACE (an enzyme that raises blood pressure, discussed below), thus reducing blood pressure. In a 2002 study, researchers randomly divided patients with hypertension into four groups and gave them daily supplements of one of the following: 600 mg of magnesium, 500 mg of hawthorn, a combination of magnesium and hawthorn, or a placebo. Blood pressure was retested after five weeks and again after 10 weeks. There was a significant reduction in diastolic blood pressure in the study subjects taking hawthorn, compared with those in the other groups. Hawthorn is safe and well tolerated, but patients taking digoxin or ACE inhibitors should check with their doctors before starting it. The recommended dose is 360 mg a day of an extract (standardized for 4 percent vitexin), taken in divided doses. A GiftFromthe Sea A Japanesediscoveryis one of the newestand most promising natural blood pressure lowering agents I've seen in a long time. Peptides (small protein fragments) from the bonito fish lower blood pressure in a manner similar to one of the most effective antihypertensive 0 EDTA is a synthetic amino acid that, when administered intravenously, binds to minerals and toxic heavy metals and carries them out of the body in the urine. It is a very effective therapy for cardiovascular disease because it removes calcium from arterial plaque, reduces free-radical damage to the arteries, and, perhaps most important, lowers the burden of lead and other toxic heavy metals that contribute to hypertension and other cardiovascular problems. The case for lead as an overlooked cause of hypertension is strong. The kidneys play an important role in blood pressure regulation, and there is a strong link between elevated levels of lead, kidney damage, and hypertension. In a study published in March 2003, researchers measured the blood lead levels of more than 2,000 women, ages 40 to 59, and found that levels "well below the current US occupational exposure limit guidelines (40 mcg/dL)" were associated with the risk of hypertension. Although we've made strides in recent years in reducing environmental lead levels, a lifetime of exposure from automobile and industrial emissions, lead paint, and other sources have made our bones a storehouse of lead and other heavy metals. The average bone level of lead today is hundreds of times higher than before the industrial revolution 200 years ago. EDT A chelation therapy is the primary FDAapproved method of getting lead out of the body. For more information on this therapy and for physician refer- rals, contact ACAM at acam.org or 888-439-6891. For an appointment at the Whitaker Wellness Institute, call 800-488-1500 or visit whitakerwellness.com. EECPImproves Circulation Enhanced External Counter Pulsation (EECP), developed by Harvard physician Harry Soroff, MD, almost 50 years ago, is an excellent therapy for hypertension, angina, and any problem involving the circulatory system. It dramatically increases blood flow throughout the body by squeezing blood from the lower extremities toward the heart. The patient lies on a bed with a series of inflatable cuffs wrapped around the body from the ankles to just below the waist. The cuffs sequentially contract, timed with the heart beat, forcing blood out of the legs and throughout the body. EECP has been best studied for the relief of angina, and it is so effective at relieving chest pain that Medicare reimburses for it. As they should, for it is the closest thing going to a natural and much less expensive bypass surgery. This is because EECP creates collateral circulation, new avenues of blood around coronary artery blockages. EECP also boosts the arteries' production of nitric oxide, which improves the health of the arteries and their ability to dilate. Thus it also results in significant drops in blood pressure. An EECP treatment session lasts about an hour, and aside from the squeezing sensation, there is no discomfort or danger whatsoever. A usual course is 35 one-hour treatments, given once or twice daily. For more information, contact Vasomedical at naturalbypass.com or 800-455-3327.To learn about EECP treatment at the Whitaker Wellness Institute, call 800-488-1500. Reverse Stroke Damage WithHBOT Hypertension increases risk of stroke 700 percent. Fortunately, the recommendations in this report will not only help you get your blood pressure under control, but they will also dramatically reduce your risk of such a catastrophic event. However, I also want you to have a heads up on what you should do if, heaven forbid, you or a loved one were to have a stroke. First, get medical attention as soon as possible. Major advances in acute stroke care have been made in the past few years, but time is of the essence. Second, get hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT), and the sooner the better. Brain damage during a stroke is caused by insufficient oxygen, and breathing 100 percent oxygen under increased pressure in a hyperbaric chamber allows this essential element to reach all areas, even those deprived of blood flow. 0 Breathingfor Hypertension Life may not be "measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away,"but hypertension might be. The average respiratory rate (number of breaths taken) for adults is between 14 and 18per minute. However, scientists have discovered that periodically reducing this rate to fewer than 10 breaths per minute can normalize blood pressure. Many people are having great success lowering their blood pressure using therapeutic breathing devices. These gadgets incorporate music to interactively guide you through a breath-slowing routine. Studies show that using these machines three or four times per week for 15 minutes at a time leads to an average blood pressure reduction of 14/9 (systolic/diastolic). A good brand is Resperate, available without a prescription by calling 877-988-9388or by visiting resperate.com. You don't actually need equipment to train yourself to slow down your rate of breathing. This practice is a cornerstone of yoga and meditation. A simple exercise you can try is to sit or lie comfortably, and close your eyes. Slowly inhale for a count of five, then exhale for a count of five. Continue for 15 minutes, lengthening your count as you become more relaxed. At the very least, you'll get some peace and quiet! We have seen remarkable recoveries with HBOT. HBOT also benefits patients months or even years after their stroke. This is because some of the neurons in the affected area are not dead but "idling," and hefty doses of oxygen wake them up. Jackie is a 76-year-old who was literally carried into our office two weeks after suffering a stroke. After two weeks of treatments, she was walking, and two years later, she was a bundle of energy and activity. Vic, a 71-year-old who had two strokes in the summer of 1999, left the hospital in a wheelchair with severe speech, vision, and hearing deficits. After one month in a rehabilitation center, he was sent home with no hope for further recovery. His wife heard about HBOT, called our clinic, and brought her husband in for therapy months after his initial stroke. The last time we saw Vic, he was walking around our parking lot. He still has a little trouble with balance, but he is back to his former activities. For more information, visit hbomedtoday.com or call 561-640-4546. For information on the Whitaker Wellness Institute's hyperbaric center, call 800-488-1500. Committo OptimalHealth Klatsky AL, et aI. Alcohol consumption and blood pressure. New Engl 1 Med. 1977;296: 1194-1200. If there is one thing I hope I've made clear in this report, it is that high blood pressure can, in most cases, be controlled through diet, exercise, nutritional supplements, and other non-drug therapies. Given that hypertension places you at increased risk for so many other health problems, isn't it worth buckling down and making the commitment to get your blood pressure under control once and for all? Lin JL et aI. Environmental lead exposure and progression of chronic renal diseases in patients without diabetes. N Engl 1 Med. 2003;348(4):277-86. Lenore JL, et aI. The association between midlife blood pressure levels and late-life cognitive function, lAMA. 1995;274:184651. Lustberg M, et aI. Blood lead levels and mortality. Arch Intern Med. 2002;162(21):2443-9. Moore RD. The High Blood Pressure Solution, Natural Prevention and Cure with the K Factor. Healing Arts Press, Rochester, VT, 1993. Yes, it will take effort, focus, and time - natural therapies are not overnight cures. However,if you do follow the program I've outlined, I guarantee that withina few weeksyouwill beginto see results- and in more areas of your health than just blood pressure. You can expect to have more energy and a better mental outlook. You'll begin to shed those extra pounds you've been wanting to lose. Your muscle tone and strength will improve. Your cholesterol, triglyceride, blood sugar, and homocysteine levels will go down, and your risk of heart disease, diabetes, and other lifestyle-related diseases will decrease. References Ascherio A, et aI. Intake of potassium, magnesium, calcium, and fiber and risk of stroke among US men. Circulation. Sept. 22, 1998;98(12):1198-1204. Mori TA et aI. Dietary fish as a major component of a weightloss diet. Am 1 Clin Nutr. 1999 Nov;70:817-25. Nash D et aI. Blood lead, blood pressure, and hypertension in perimenopausal and postmenopausal women. lAMA. 2003;289(12): 1523-32. Pickering T. Tension and hypertension. lAMA. 1993;370:2494. Reaven GM et aI. Syndrome X. NY: Simon & Schuster, 2000. Roberts CK et aI. Effect of diet and exercise intervention on blood pressure, insulin, oxidative stress, and nitric oxide availability. Circulation. 2002;106:2530-2. Sacks FM, et aI. Rationale and design of the Dietary approaches to Stop Hypertension trial (DASH): a multicenter controlledfeeding study of dietary patterns to lower blood pressure. Ann Epidemiol. 1995;5:108-118. Singh M et aI. Noninvasive revascularization by enhanced externalcounterpulsation.Mayo ClinProc 2000 Sep;75(9):961-5. Burke BE, et aI. Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of coenzyme QlO in isolated systolic hypertension. South Med l. 2001 Nov;94(11):1112-1117. Chobanian AV,et aI. The seventh report of the Joint National Committee on Prevention, Detection, Evaluation, and Treatment of High Blood Pressure. lAMA. 2003;289:2560-2573. Stamler J. Setting the TONE for ending the hypertension epidemic. lAMA;1998 Mar 18;279(11):878-9. Stampfer MJ et aI. A prospective study of plasma homocyst(e)iene and risk of myocardial infarction in US physicians. lAMA. 1992;268(7):877-81. Tice JA. Cost-effectiveness of vitamin therapy to lower plasma homocysteine levels for the prevention of coronary heart disease. lAMA. 2001;286(8):936-43. Cohen JS. Over Dose. New York: Jeremy Tarcher, 2001. Cohn PF (ed). Study confirms high rate of uncontrolled hypertension; Uncontrolled hypertension common in workforce. Preventive Cardiology Clinic. 2002 June:6,7. Ford ES, et aI. Dietary magnesium intake in a national sample of US adults. 1 Nutr. 2003 Sep;133(9):2879-2882. Hagberg JM, et aI. Effect of exercise training in 60- to 69-year-old persons with essential hypertension. Am 1 Cardiol. 1989;64:5:348-353. Hu FB, et aI. Dietary intake of alpha-linolenic acid and risk of fatal ischemic heart disease among women. Am 1 Clin Nutr.1999; 69:890-7. Itoh K et aI. The effects of high oral magnesium supplementation on blood pressure, serum lipids and related variables in apparently healthy Japanese subjects. Br 1 Nutr, 1997 Nov;78:5:737-50. Trials of Hypertension Prevention Collaborative Research Group. The effects of nonpharmaco1ogic interventions on blood pressure of persons with high normal levels: Results of the Trials of Hypertension Prevention, Phase 1. lAMA. 1992;267:1213-1220. Vasan RS. Residual lifetime risk for developing hypertension in middle-aged women and men. lAMA. 2002;287:1003-10. Walker AF, et aI. Promising hypotensive effect of hawthorn extract: a randomized double-blind pilot study of mild, essential hypertension. Phytother Res. 2002 Feb;16(1):48-54. Resources John JH et aI. Effects of fruit and vegetable consumption on plasma antioxidant concentrations and blood pressure. Lancet. 2002;359:1969-74. You'll find most of the nutritional supplements and herbs mentioned in this report in health food stores, or they can be ordered from Village Green Apothecary at 800-869-9159. Kempner W. Treatment of hypertensive vascular disease with rice diet. American lournal of Medicine. 1948;4:545-577. Kinghorn AD. Food Ingredient Safety Review, Stevia rebaudiana leaves. 1992 Mar 16:6. 0