High blood pressure is a condition of the body that occurs when the blood pressure starts to reach a reading that is 130 over 80. Medically speaking, that is a reading that means 130 mmHg/80 mmHg. That blood pressure reading is considered to be above average, with most blood pressure readings above that to be considered high. Another name for high blood pressure is hypertension, a condition that occurs when the blood forces itself against the blood vessels at higher rates.
This condition can be deadly, and result in more serious health concerns such as kidney disease, heart disease, heart attack, and even stroke. When the body has high blood pressure, you run the risk of damaging internal organs. That is because the body is overworking its blood flow. When these critical organs are working too hard, the strain on the body can be unbearable, and even fatal.
High blood pressure and high blood cholesterol levels go hand in hand. When plaque and fatty deposits harden the arteries, blood pressure will rise and the strain on the system is too great. Many people want to take vitamin supplements to stay healthy and keep the heart pumping happily, but some can be dangerous with high blood pressure. Learn more about the supplements to avoid with high blood pressure here.
What Are The Impacts Of Supplements On High Blood Pressure?
The impacts of supplements on high blood pressure are significant. When anything creates an adverse impact on the cardiovascular system, the outcome could be fatal. Numerous bodies of research and studies have been performed to assess the effects of supplements on high blood pressure. That is because many people like to take supplements to stay healthy, but may end up taking the wrong ones for them.
If you have pre-existing medical conditions or are taking medications for any illness or diagnosis, it is even more important to talk to a health professional about taking supplements. There are many supplements that have been shown to be supplements to avoid with high blood pressure. Many people fall into the trap of believing that supplementation can help make someone healthy.
However, in many cases, supplementation can act as a medicine, and counter effect the effects of medication you may already be taking. Talk to your doctor if you are at all unsure about what kind of supplements to avoid with high blood pressure. There are many blood pressure-friendly supplements you can take to stay healthy.
What 4 Supplements Should You Avoid With High Blood Pressure?
There are many supplements that you can take to stay healthy. Any supplement that functions as a multivitamin or contains natural vitamins is effective supplementation to take with almost any condition. However, it is easy to get motivated about your health and take the wrong supplement. You may not even know that you have a condition such as high blood pressure, and take supplements that make that condition worse.
The four supplements you should avoid with high blood pressure are as follows:
- Potassium
- Licorice
- Ginseng
- Guarana
These supplements will help you to feel good, give you energy, and may even feel like they are good for your body. Learn more about these supplements and why you should avoid them if you have high blood pressure.
Potassium
Potassium is an essential mineral that our body has plenty of, but many people still take it as a supplement because it helps to keep a body healthy. It also can significantly help with the cardiovascular system. Still, there are numerous studies that indicate it can be bad for high blood pressure.
Potassium plays the role of regulating fluids in the body and it is meant to keep blood pressure levels healthy. For some, it even lowers blood pressure. There are some side effects of potassium supplementation however that indicate it can be bad for people with high blood pressure when it is taken in higher doses.
If you have kidney problems or have blood pressure issues, talk to your doctor before you add potassium supplements. Side effects from potassium such as gastrointestinal discomfort could exacerbate your current conditions. Potassium can also interfere with other medications that you are taking for health problems. Ask your doctor about potassium before you start.
Guarana and Other Supplements That Contain Caffeine
Caffeine is a known stimulant and is dangerous to take in large quantities if you have high blood pressure. The supplement known as guarana is a kind of caffeine that can be extremely dangerous if you have high blood pressure. Guarana is a chemical derived from a plant that comes from the Amazon rainforests. This chemical is used in energy drinks and health drinks to function as a stimulant and give people energy.
Guarana will stimulate the central nervous system and the heart. When too much is consumed, it will have a negative impact on blood pressure. Like caffeine, guarana will widen your arteries and block hormone levels to give you energy. Additionally, it can stimulate your adrenal gland in order to release adrenaline which will be bad for the heart with prolonged use.
Guarana is taken for athletic performance and weight loss with obese patients, and should be avoided if you have any kind of high blood pressure concern. You may experience sleep issues and anxiety if you consume too much guarana. Prolonged use of guarana will also result in an increased risk for heart disease and it can result in long-term high blood pressure issues. This is not one of the blood pressure-friendly supplements and is high on the list of supplements to avoid with high blood pressure.
Ginseng
Ginseng is a supplement that has been effectively used in Asia and across the world for hundreds of years. This is a product that comes from a plant with active energy-producing ingredients. Ginseng is known to help with the immune system and provide energy boosts similar to guarana, but its impacts on energy are lighter.
Some studies do indicate that ginseng can lower blood pressure, but there are even more studies that indicate it can increase blood pressure in populations already at risk. If you already have a blood pressure concern, this is a supplement to avoid. If you have any issues at all with high blood pressure, talk to your doctor about ginseng to see if it will work well with any other medication that you are taking.
Licorice Root and Licorice Candy
Licorice root and licorice candy are supplements to avoid when you have high blood pressure. This root is an herbal remedy that has stood the test of time when it comes to vitamin supplementation. It is used by many cultures all over the world for a number of different natural healing methods.
Still, it is said to have an ingredient called glycyrrhizin that can interfere with healthy blood pressure levels. This ingredient gives licorice its unique flavor, and it can function as an antioxidant. Too much of this chemical can have a negative impact on high blood pressure. Talk to your doctor if you are concerned about the health impacts of blood pressure.
Safe Alternatives and Best Practices
When you are trying to create a better lifestyle for yourself and live the healthiest life possible, you want to choose supplementation that will be best for you. There are many different supplements that you can take that will reduce your blood pressure and your risk of cardiovascular disease. Try some of these vitamins that are known to be helpful with high blood pressure:
- Omega-3 fatty acids
- Magnesium
- Coenzyme Q10
- Garlic
Before you consume any supplement for natural healing or to live a healthier lifestyle, talk to your doctor about what is best for you to consume.
Omega-3 Fatty Acids
Omega-3 fatty acids are chemicals that are a polyunsaturated fat that is largely found in a fish supplement. They are also found in flaxseed and walnut. You will find this in many different foods and it is known to be good for the heart. Omega-3 can help to thin the blood, slow down the impact of blood clotting, and reduce any gastrointestinal issues caused by other medications.
Magnesium
Magnesium is a chemical that is produced by the body and is in the body in abundance. This mineral works to produce nitric oxide and keep the cardiovascular system running smoothly. Nitric oxide is critical in ensuring the blood vessels are relaxed, and this aids in healthy blood flow in the human body. The natural end result is healthy blood pressure.
Coenzyme Q10
Coenzyme Q10, a vitamin also known as CoQ10 is renowned to be good for a healthy lifestyle. This vitamin helps at the cellular level, aiding in the functioning of your cellular mitochondria. The mitochondria are organelles in every cell that help to keep the oxidative functioning of the cell in good condition. There is a large body of evidence that indicates that CoQ10 can help with good cardiovascular support. Healthy blood pressure is one part of that essential system.
Garlic
Garlic is not a vitamin as well known as something like Vitamin C or CoQ10, but it is a product found in abundance in the world that is known to be good for the heart. Garlic is known to lower blood pressure and can reduce it by as much as 8 to 10 mmHg when taken regularly. It has also been shown to reduce cardiovascular issues such as heart attack and stroke by as much as 40 percent. Add more garlic to your diet and enjoy the flavorful impacts of supplementing for a healthier body.
Avoid These Supplements Today
When you want to live a healthier life, avoiding high blood pressure comes naturally on the list of goals. The four supplements to avoid with high blood pressure are guarana, ginseng, potassium, and licorice root. Taking these will increase your risk of hypertension and supplement risks. Instead, look for more blood pressure-friendly supplements such as CoQ10, garlic, Omega 3, and magnesium. Before you add anything to your diet, be sure to talk to a doctor or medical professional about the impacts of supplements on your existing health program or health conditions.
