Lower Your Blood Pressure with Flaxseed Oil Capsules

Lower Your Blood Pressure Immediately with Flaxseed Oil Capsules
by David Steinman

I have a special interest in finding natural avenues for healthy blood pressure. I know that high blood pressure is a killer and have seen its devastating effects among family members and friends. Some sixty million American adults suffer from this condition. By lowering my blood pressure I know I am far more likely to avoid becoming one of the 43 percent of all Americans who die prematurely every year from a heart attack, stroke, and other circulatory-and heart-related disease.

Most health experts stress safe, natural pathways for lowering blood pressure whenever possible to avoid the complications of medical drugs.

I've maintained healthy blood pressure in spite of a ridiculously hectic schedule and more deadlines than even I care to think about with exercise, weight loss, a largely fish-and vegetable-based diet, and key nutritional supplements. In this report, I want to tell you about how to use flax oil capsules to almost immediately lower your blood pressure.

Personal Experience

Quite apart from the scientific validation for the use of flaxseed oil capsules that I will detail in this report, I've been measuring my blood pressure before and after taking a full dose of flaxseed oil capsules and observing almost immediate blood pressure- lowering results that I truly believe are being influenced by the nutrients specific to flax. While certainly my own anecdotal experience with flaxseed oil capsules is not the same as controlled science, the fact is that scientific studies confirm my personal experience. What's more, it doesn't hurt to know that taking a full dose of flax oil capsules has a powerful, immediate lowering effect.

Recent Clinical Evidence

A newly published study from Circulation, a journal of the American Heart Association, found that the omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid alpha-linolenic acid (of which is flax is one of the richest known sources)could be the key reason why the Mediterranean diet is so healthy for your heart. In this study, 600 men and women who had suffered a heart attack in the six months previous to the study were instructed to consume a margarine made with canola oil instead of butter and cream. Their risk for a second heart attack was cut by up to 70 percent.

Meanwhile, an expert workshop convened in The Netherlands, recently reviewed the health effects of omega-3 fatty acids and concluded there is growing evidence that consumption of alpha- linolenic acid reduces the risk of heart disease.

Clinical Validation

We already know that more than 60 double-blind studies have confirmed that supplements rich in omega-3 fatty acids (of which alpha-linolenic acid or ALA found in flax is one of the key members)are beneficial for lowering blood pressure. We also know that taking the equivalent of one tablespoon of flaxseed oil daily can lower both systolic and diastolic blood pressure readings by up to 9 millimeters of mercury. In fact, for every one percent increase in the concentration of ALA in the body, persons can expect to see a decrease of 5 millimeters of mercury in both their systolic and diastolic blood pressure.

ALA Prevents Heart Attack and Stroke

Two populations with the lowest rate of heart attacks in the world are the Japanese of Kohama Island and inhabitants of the Crete. *Due to their consumption of foods such as flax, walnuts and purslane, Cretans typically have a threefold higher concentration of ALA than other Europeans;similarly the Kohamans also ingest ALA-rich oils (canola). Again, we see a strong connection to ALA.

There are many ways flaxseed's ALA reduces risk for heart attack and stroke.
  • Flax lowers low density lipoproteins (LDLs, the "bad" cholesterol that causes plaque to buildup)and triglycerides while also modulating their negative impact on the arteries. A recent report from Atheroslcerosis found that flaxseed could reduce cholesterol-related artery disease by 46%.
  • Flax's ALA inhibits excessive platelet aggregation and excessive thromboxane activity while also lowering fibrinogen levels. Thromboxane, formed in blood platelets, constricts blood vessels and promotes blood clotting;fibrinogen also aids in blood clotting. In heart disease, the body's production of thromboxane and fibrinogen becomes exaggerated;researchers report that alpha-linolenic acid is an effective agent for markedly lowering thromboxane biosynthesis.
  • ALA may prevent fatal heart arrhythmia, according to recent evidence from the journal Circulation.

    Tell Me More. . .

    I get almost immediate blood pressure-lowering effects from flax. I've begun giving flax capsules to other persons who suffer high blood pressure and we find the same results. Blood pressure invariably drops sometimes quite markedly. In fact, several friends who now take flax capsules regularly have been able to reduce their dosage of prescription drugs. It's amazing.

    Flax oil capsules are a convenient, quick method for lowering blood pressure. Flax oil capsules typically contain twice as much omega-3 fatty acids (predominantly in the form of alpha-linolenic acid)as usually found in fish oil capsules.

    The capsules are easy to swallow and are an excellent source of food energy;thus, they will probably decrease appetite. The usual dosage is one to nine capsules daily. However, persons with high blood pressure may want to take six capsules three times daily or whenever they are feeling stress and blood pressure is elevated. Anyone currently using medications for blood pressure or other conditions should consult their physician prior to using flaxseed oil capsules and work with their physician so that over time they may lower their medication dosage. Consider also preparing meals with flaxseed oil.

    How to Obtain Lignan-Rich Flax Oil Capsules

    Look for flax oil capsules that are gently Fresh ExPressed, 100%organic and pesticide free. Also look on the label for capsules that are unrefined, unfiltered and free of harsh chemicals. Flax oil capsules are the convenient alternative to flax oil.

    References:
    1.de Lorgeril, M., et al.Circulation, 1999;99:779-785.
    2.Leaf, A.Circulation, 1999;99:733-735.
    3.de Deckere, E.A., et al."Health aspects of fish and n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids from plant and marine origin." Eur J Clin Nutr, , 1998;52(10):749-53.
    4.Schmidt, E.B.&Dyerberg, J."Omega-3 fatty acids.Current status in cardiovascular medicine." Drugs;;1994;47:405- 424.
    5.Appel, L.J., et al."Does supplementation of diet with fish oil reduce blood pressure?A meta-analysis of controlled clinical trials." Arch Intern Med, , 1993;153: 1429-1438.
    6.Singer, P."Alpha-linolenic acid vs.long-chain fatty acids in hypertension and hyperlipidemia." Nutrition;;1992; 8:133-135.
    7.Chan, J.K., et al."Dietary-alpha-linolenic acid is as effective as oleic acid and linoleic acid in lowering blood cholesterol in normolipidemic men."Am J Clin Nutr, 1991; 53:1230-1234.
    8.Berry, E.M.&Hirsch, J."Does dietary linolenic acid influence blood pressure." Am J Clin Nutr, , 1986;44:336- 340.
    Featured in the Health Perspectives and Drs . Prescription newsletters. 9.Sandker, G.N., et al."Serum cholesterol ester fatty acids and their relation with serum lipids in elderly men in Crete and the Netherlands." Eur J Clin Nutr, , 1993;47:201-208.
    10.Kagawa, Y., et al."Eicosapolyenlic acids of serum lipids of Japanese Islands with low incidence of cardiovascular diseases." J Nutr Sci Vitaminol, , 1982;28:441-453.
    11.Prasad, K., et al."Reduction of hypercholesterolemic atherosclerosis by CDC-flaxseed with very low alpha-linolenic acid." Atherosclerosis, , 1998; 136(2):367-375.
    12.Ferretti, A.&Flanagan, V.P."Antithromboxane activity of dietary alpha- linolenic acid:a pilot study." Prostaglandins Leukot Essent Fatty Acids, , 1996;54(6):451-5.

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