Researchers at Radboud University Medical Centre, in Nijmegen, The Netherlands, believe that flawed study design may contribute to confusion on the value of garlic to control hypertension. Continue reading Garlic and blood pressure control: Does study design matter?
Category Archives: High Blood Pressure
Red tea doesn’t lower blood pressure
Cochrane reviewed the effect of roselle (Hibiscus sabdariffa) on blood pressure in hypertensive adults. Continue reading Red tea doesn’t lower blood pressure
Does reducing salt intake lower blood pressure?
… and does it matter?
This Cochrane review summarizes the evidence for dietary salt reduction. Continue reading Does reducing salt intake lower blood pressure?
Beneficial effects of OJ on blood vessels and blood pressure
Studies show benefits of some polyphenol-rich foods on several markers for cardiovascular diseases.
Researchers at Centre Clermont-Ferrand–Theix, in France, studied whether these effects might be related to hesperidin, the major polyphenol of the orange juice. Continue reading Beneficial effects of OJ on blood vessels and blood pressure
Lowering blood pressure with music-guided slow breathing
Bradypnea (slow breathing) was studied by researchers at the University of Florence, in Italy. Continue reading Lowering blood pressure with music-guided slow breathing
Product review: CoQ10 and ubiquinol
CoQ10 and its activated form, ubiquinol, are popular supplements for treating or preventing a range of conditions including congestive heart failure, migraine headache, high blood pressure, and Parkinson’s disease — although none of the evidence is conclusive.
ConsumerLab.com tested 31 products for content and dosing. Continue reading Product review: CoQ10 and ubiquinol
Lowering blood pressure with pomegranate juice
During the Society for Endocrinology BES 2011 conference, researchers at the Queen Margaret University, in Edinburgh, Scotland, studied the effects of drinking pomegranate. Continue reading Lowering blood pressure with pomegranate juice
Vegetarian diet and the risk of the metabolic syndrome
Researchers at Loma Linda University, in California, compared dietary patterns. Continue reading Vegetarian diet and the risk of the metabolic syndrome
Effects of chocolate on blood pressure and heart disease
Researchers at the German Institute of Human Nutrition, in Nuthetal, tell us chocolate appears to lower the risk of cardiovascular disease. Continue reading Effects of chocolate on blood pressure and heart disease
Consumer Alert: X-Hero and Male Enhancer
FDA lab analysis of X-Hero found the product contains sulfosildenafil, the analogue of the active ingredient of an FDA-approved drug (sildenafil, Viagra, Revatio) used to treat erectile dysfunction.
In addition, FDA analysis of Male Enhancer found it contains tadalafil (Cialis, Adcirca), the active ingredient of an FDA-approved drug used to treat erectile dysfunction. Continue reading Consumer Alert: X-Hero and Male Enhancer
Effect of soy isoflavones on blood pressure
Researchers at Peking Union Medical College and Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, in China reviewed the evidence. Continue reading Effect of soy isoflavones on blood pressure
The value of the consultation in treating cardiovascular disease
Research from California and Iowa support the value of added time with a qualified healthcare professional. Continue reading The value of the consultation in treating cardiovascular disease
Do B vitamins and folic acid affect cognitive function?
Researchers at the University of Western Australia, in Crawley, studied B6, B12, and folic acid. Continue reading Do B vitamins and folic acid affect cognitive function?
Interaction between aliskiren and fruit juice
Aliskiren (Tekturna) is used to treat high blood pressure. It’s poorly absorbed from the intestines (about 2.5%).
Researchers at Helsinki University Central Hospital, in Finland, report that apple and orange juice further reduce the amount that gets absorbed from the intestines. Continue reading Interaction between aliskiren and fruit juice
Effects of exposure to room light before bedtime
Millions of people habitually expose themselves to room light between dusk and bedtime, yet the effects of this behavior on melatonin are not well recognized.
Researchers at Harvard Medical School in Boston, measured the effects of room light in the late evening. Continue reading Effects of exposure to room light before bedtime
Intensive behavioral weight loss lessens hot flashes
Higher body mass index (BMI) is associated with worse hot flushes during menopause, but the effect of weight loss on flushing is unclear.
Researchers at the University of California, San Francisco, studied overweight and obese women who complained of bothersome hot flushes. Continue reading Intensive behavioral weight loss lessens hot flashes
Effect of religious participation on blood pressure
A study of more than 5000 African Americans reveals that participants in religious activities are likely to have significantly lower blood pressure than those who do not. This, despite being more likely to be classified as hypertensive, having higher body mass index (BMI), and poor adherence to their medication regimen.
Known as the Jackson Heart Study, the results support the cardiovascular benefits of religion.
Continue reading Effect of religious participation on blood pressure
Does aloe vera affect blood pressure?
There’s evidence that about 5% of hypertensive Nigerians use aloe vera to lower blood pressure.
Researchers at the University of the Pacific, in Stockton, California, studied the effects of oral aloe vera on blood pressure measurements. Continue reading Does aloe vera affect blood pressure?
Heinz Ketchup reduces sodium 25%
H. J. Heinz Company has reformulated its world-famous ketchup to comply with New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg’s National Salt Reduction Initiative.
It’s the latest salvo in the food wars. Continue reading Heinz Ketchup reduces sodium 25%
Benefits of walking or biking to work
“Active” commuting (walking or biking) has many benefits, as reported in the Coronary Artery Risk Development in Young Adults (CARDIA) study. Continue reading Benefits of walking or biking to work