When doctors are unable to identify a clear cause for high blood pressure, they often prescribe medicine. However, certain nutritional supplements may also be effective. According to the findings of a new meta-analysis, an “optimal dose” of omega-3 could significantly lower blood pressure.
Omega-3s have been shown to be beneficial to the heart in numerous research. However, it’s becoming obvious that a proper dose is essential for optimum effects. According to a new study, ingesting three grams of omega-3 per day can result in a “substantial reduction” in systolic and diastolic blood pressure.
The previous study into the effects of omega-3 fatty acids on the heart has yielded mixed results.
In fact, after exposing the risk of arrhythmias and bleeding, some researchers have questioned the cardiovascular advantages of high-dose omega-3s.
“The most recent large trials,” according to Srihari Naidu, a professor of medicine at New York College in Valhalla, “two of them showed conflicting results.”
“More important, they also showed that there may be an increased risk of bleeding and other complications such as atrial fibrillation.”
Recent study, on the other hand, reveals that a daily intake of three grams may result in significant systolic and diastolic blood pressure decreases.
The findings of the study showed “a substantial reduction in diastolic and systolic blood pressure when individuals consumed a moderate amount of omega-3 fatty acids, particularly EPA and DHA combined, in doses of two to three grams”.
This was found by Dr. Xin Zhang and his team at the Macau University of Science and Technology in Taipa, China.
The researchers wanted to see how different omega-3s, such as DHA and EPA, affected blood pressure.
“An optimal dose of omega-3 fatty acids is potentially needed for blood pressure control in the general population,” the researchers said in the Journal of the American Health Association, “but individuals who are at high risk of developing cardiovascular diseases may benefit from higher doses.”
“The AHA says taking up to three grams of fish oil daily in supplement form is considered safe,” WebMD also echoes this advice.
“Don’t take more than that unless you discuss it with your doctor first.”
Other methods for lowering blood pressure
High blood pressure, also called hypertension, is when the pressure on the arterial walls is strong enough to break them.
The disorder is associated to arterial flexibility.
The more elastic these are, the more blood they can accommodate, resulting in a drop in blood pressure.
Nitrate-rich foods are especially good for hypertension because they relax the arteries, allowing them to dilate.
Leafy greens, cabbage, parsley, leeks, beets, endive, and fennel are among nitrate-rich vegetables.
As sodium causes water retention, avoiding salt is essential to maintaining a healthy blood pressure reading.
The extra fluid in the body makes the heart work harder, making breathing more difficult.
A regular exercise plan, in addition to a healthy diet, can aid in weight loss.
According to the Mayo Clinic, you should engage in at least 150 minutes of regular physical exercise every week, or roughly 30 minutes on most days of the week.
“It’s important to be consistent because if you stop exercise, your blood pressure can rise again.”
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