HOW TO LOWER YOUR BLOOD PRESSURE NATURALLY

Part 10 : Eat Garlic

Garlic (allium sativum) is one of the most important health promoting natural foods found commonly in the diet worldwide. (Average consumption is around one clove per person per day).

Garlic  is an anti-oxidant, anti-bacterial, anti-viral, anti-parasitic, anti-blood clotting and cholesterol lowering super food.  

Although it has found more favour with herbalists and naturopaths than the medical establishment, studies have now shown overwhelming evidence that compounds in garlic are good for you by helping to reduce both blood pressure and harmful LDL cholesterol.

Researchers have found in one study that daily does of garlic powder extracts of between 600 and 900 mg can reduce blood pressure enough to cut the risk of heart disease and stroke by up to 40% after treatment of 2 to 3 months. On average systolic blood pressure in the study dropped by 8% and diastolic by 12%. (A reduction of just 5 points on the mercury scale has been found to reduce the risk of coronary heart disease by as much as 16%).

Another study of 152 patients showed that garlic tablets could reduce hardening or furring up of the arteries (atherosclerosis) which both contributes to and is a cause of high blood pressure. In the control group who were not taking the garlic tablets atherosclerosis plaques built up by 15.6 % over 4 years, while in the garlic-taking group they reduced by 2.6 %.

The main active ingredient in the garlic which provides protection for your heart and circulation is  allicin. The allicin is released when the whole cloves are cut or crushed.

Allicin stops cells from taking up cholesterol, slows the production of cholesterol in the liver and speeds excretion of fatty acids helping to prevent furring up of the arteries (atherosclerosis). Other sulphur compounds in the garlic also help prevent damage to the arteries due to their anti-oxidant action on blood LDL-cholesterol molecules. 

Garlic seems to have the effect of increasing the fluidity of blood and dilating the arteries and the effects of this can be seen within a few hours of taking garlic. In fact, garlic has such an marked effect on the blood and circulation that one of the drugs used in Germany to lower blood pressure is based on processed garlic.

Garlic is, of course, a great way to make food taste great without adding harmful salt although large doses may be not to your taste and may cause problems with garlic odour.

If you want to try increasing your garlic consumption you could look at the garlic supplements containing up to 1,000mcg allicin a day which have a special coating to prevent odour.

Remember and talk to your doctor about any changes you are considering making in your diet or any supplements you plan on taking. 

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