Lower Your Blood Pressure Naturally, Part II
Hypertension is a very common condition that often has an insidious onset with very few initial symptoms. Hypertension itself is a major risk factor for heart attacks, strokes, and kidney failure. Routine physical exams are important to diagnose hypertension as there are several treatment options available including lifestyle modification and medication.
For those who have mild hypertension [140-159/90-99], your doctor may discuss trying some of the following lifestyle modifications:
- Limiting alcohol consumption
- Maintaining normal body weight (losing weight if overweight)
- Engaging in moderate physical activity
- Reducing sodium intake
- Consuming a diet rich in fruits and vegetables.
Natural remedies for hypertension (click for previous blog post):
1. Hibiscus sabdariffa L. (Malvaceae)
3. Soy nuts
4. Nigella sativa
The results of a very recent study published in the journal, Fundamental & Clinical Pharmacology (Dehkordi et al, 2008), suggest that Nigella sativa (NS) seed extract may be considered as an antihypertensive medical plant. In fact, NS is plant that has been used as a medicinal herb for over 2000 years. It has many putative effects including: hypoglycemic, hypocholesterolemic, and antioxidant properties.
Intervention: Nigella sativa seed extract
Dose: 100mg/200mg twice daily (two groups)
Conclusions:
1. Nigella sativa seed extract significantly lowered both systolic and diastolic blood pressure over 4 and 8 weeks respectively. Lower blood pressure was achieved with the higher dose of 200mg taken twice daily.
2. Nigella sativa seed extract lowered both total and LDL cholesterol in patients with mild hypertension.
My conclusion:
Though the results of this study look promising and were, in fact, statistically significant, the actual amount of blood pressure lowering achieved in this study may not be of great clinical significance. To be certain, at the higher dose of 200 mg of Nigella sativa seed extract (taken over 2 months) only lowered systolic and diastolic blood pressure by 2.1mmHg and 1.9 mmHg respectively. However, since this study suggested that the blood pressure lowering effects of Nigella Sativa seed extract were dose-dependent, it is possible that a higher dose may achieve greater results. Further studies would be required to confirm this. No significant side-effects were reported in the present study.
Reference:
Dehkordi FR, Kamkhah AF. Antihypertensive effect of Nigella sativa seed extract in patients with mild hypertension. Fundam Clin Pharmacol. 2008 Aug;22(4):447-52.
Other related articles:
Do soy nuts lower blood pressure and cholesterol?
Will taking potassium citrate lower your blood pressure?
Lower your blood pressure…Naturally?
Seems like there really isn’t that great of a natural “magic bullet” for hypertension just yet. Diet and lifestyle factors really seem to be the only way to go, and if patients aren’t willing to implement them, then medications are usually needed at least adjunctively to gain more optimal control.
Dr. Nicole, thank you again for your insightful comment. Though I agree with you in this regard, I still think the results of this particular study are encouraging. Possible next steps for these researchers might include repeating the study with a larger dose of Nigella sativa seed extract to see if a larger dose is still well-tolerated and if it confers a greater reduction in blood pressure. Alternately, they might consider trying to isolate the specific compound(s) in the extract that mediate(s) the cholesterol/blood pressure lowering effects.
I agree with you, this will be more effective if tried with a higher dose. Nevertheless testing this research might be a risk but might be good enough.