Medications can lower blood pressure

Your doctor may feel that it is necessary for you to take one of the following types of medications. Yet, many blood pressure medications cause a wide range of side effects. There are often nutrients that can be taken to augment the effects of the medications, so that a lower dosage can be used. This often causes many of the negative effects to subside. Sometimes you will even find that the nutrient can actually replace the medication. Before taking any nutrients on the following lists, however, discuss your options with your healthcare provider.

Diuretics

Diuretics can lower your blood pressure quite effectively. Unfortunately, they can also increase your risk of other health problems. The following nutrients will allow you to decrease – and possibly eliminate – your dosage of diuretics while continuing to lower your blood pressure. However, you should never stop taking your blood pressure medication without your doctor’s approval.

Calcium, Carnitine, Celery, Coenzyme Q10, Fiber, Gamma-linolenic acid (GLA), Hawthorn berry, Magnesium, Potassium, Protein, Taurine, Vitamin B6 (pyridoxine) and Vitamin C.

Direct Vasodilators

Direct vasodilators are drugs that decrease blood pressure by widening blood vessels. Yet they can cause serious side effects, including headaches, dizziness, upset stomach, and joint pain. Although these side effects may subside when the vasodilator is combined with a beta blocker medication, beta blockers can cause other problems, including worsened asthma and severe depression. Instead of taking a beta blocker with your direct vasodilator medication, try adding any of the following nutrients to your regimen. You may even find that taking the vasodilator is no longer necessary – but do not stop taking it without the approval of your doctor.

Alpha-lipoic acid, Angiotensin II Receptor Blockers, Angiotensin – Converting Enzyme Inhibitors, Arginine, Calcium, Celery, Coenzyme Q10, Fiber, Flavonoids, Garlic, Magnesium, Omega-3 fatty acids, Omega-9 fatty acids, Potassium, Soy, Taurine, Vitamin C and Vitamin E.

Anglotensin – Converting Enzyme Inhibitors

Angiotensin – Converting Enzyme Inhibitors – or ACE Inhibitors – are vasodilators that act by restricting the production of the enzyme angiotensin II. This enzyme causes blood vessels to constrict, which result in their becoming more narrow. Restricting this enzyme allows the blood more room to move through the blood vessels, decreasing pressure. However, ACE Inhibitors can also decrease your body’s store of important trace minerals such as copper, selenium, and zinc while increasing your potassium levels. You may also find success when taking a multi-vitamin.

Anglotenisin II receptor Blockers

Angiotensin II Receptor Blockers (ARBs) are vasodilators that can help lower your blood pressure. They block the effects of the enzyme angiotensin II. ARBs are often effective for people for whom ACE Inhibitors have failed. The most common side effect is dizziness, but some people also experience fever, nasal congestion, back pain, dizziness,a nd more. The nutrients on the following can help you avoid these possible side effects while allowing you to continue your medication. You may even find that you are able to decrease your dosage. Do not change your dosage without first consulting your healthcare provider.

Celery, Coenzyme Q10, Fiber, Gamma-linolenic acid (GLA), Garlic, Potassium, Vitamin B6 (pyridoxine) and Vitamin C.

Central Alpha Agonist

Central alpha agonists are medications that lower blood pressure. By stimulating alpha-receptors in the brain, central alpha agonists widen the peripheral arteries, releasing the pressure on the blood flow. However, these medications can cause dizziness, dry mouth, sedation, and rebound hypertension, so they are usually reserved as a last resort.

Calcium Channel Blockers

Calcium channel blockers decrease blood pressure by limiting the movement of calcium into the blood vessels. The negative effect of these medications is that they can affect the strength of the heart muscle’s contractions.