Anyone with high blood pressure worries about it because hypertension increases the risk of stroke. And, it is lesser known that by annoying the arteries, it increases the likelihood that plaque will form arterial blockages. The usual approach is to rely on salt restriction and drugs to lower blood pressure, but here are some other ideas showing up in the literature.

#1: Hibiscus Tea Reduces Blood Pressure ₁. In a randomized, placebo-controlled trial with 65 mildly hypertensive folks ages 30-70 (not on meds), 3 servings a day of this tea significantly lowered systolic, diastolic and arterial pressure. My 2 cents: You won’t likely find this at the Piggly Wiggly but something so simple that apparently has no side effects would be worth tracking down at a health food store. Often the natural approaches all work in slightly different ways, so even if each one only makes a modest change, added together, they may be enough.

#2: Chocolate Reduces Blood Pressure ₂. A review of 10 studies confirms that chocolate reduces blood pressure (but not to the same extent in all participants). My 2 cents: This isn’t license to grab a Snickers ® . The health effect is from the antioxidant nutrients in dark chocolate. If you add a lot of sugar and partially hydrogenated fat, you gain weight but not cardio benefits. Try a square of dark chocolate for dessert (and thereby avoid the Chubby Hubby ® ice cream.)

#3: Vitamin D and Blood Pressure ₃. This review of several studies suggests that there are strong indications that low vitamin D levels are associated with high blood pressure. My 2 cents: The researchers (as always) say more study is needed to refine the results, but read at this link about all the other life-saving reasons to make sure you have enough D.

#4: Combination of Aged Garlic Extract, Natto and Suntheanine. In an interview March 20 th , pharmacist, naturopath and nutritionist Dr. James LaValle talked about these well researched natural substances. Our sponsor, Kyolic has a combination of the three called “Formula 109”.

Please monitor your blood pressure at home. That is more reliable than tests during periodic office visits and you will see the effect of any diet or supplement changes.

Reader / Listener Question:

Q: Barbara in Beaumont , TX said: “I have Diveticulitus [pockets in the intestine that get infected] and want to get off Asacol because I have no insurance and the medicine is $300 a month.”

A: Probiotics are the most important factor for keeping the colon healthy. Read about how they work at this link . The drug Barbara is on is not only expensive, it has side effects. She might consider using: a fiber supplement such as Jarrow’s Gentle Fibers, magnesium to loosen the stool and vitamin D to improve muscle tone and immune function. Inflammation is part of the problem, so she should avoid sugar and oils like corn and soy which can worsen inflammation. Fish oil is anti-inflammatory as are antioxidants. Because she has probably been told to avoid foods with peels and seeds (some docs don’t agree) she might consider Fruit of the Spirit as a source of antioxidant rich fruits and minerals. A skilled colon therapist can not only flush out toxic build up, but also help strengthen the intestinal walls and greatly reduce the pockets.

Please stay well and spread the word that prevention is the best health care reform. Please forward this email to family and friends and encourage them to subscribe to Health eNotes. Don’t suddenly stop medications. Consult your health practitioner. This newsletter is not a substitute for professional advice.

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₁ Hibiscus sabdariffa L. tea (tisane) lowers blood pressure in prehypertensive and mildly hypertensive adults. McKay DL, Chen CY, Saltzman E, Blumberg JB. J Nutr. 2010 Feb;140(2):298-303. Epub 2009 Dec 16.

₂ Effect of cocoa products on blood pressure: systematic review and meta-analysis. Desch S, Schmidt J, Kobler D, Sonnabend M, Eitel I, Sareban M, Rahimi K, Schuler G, Thiele H. Am J Hypertens. 2010 Jan;23(1):97-103. Epub 2009 Nov 12.

₃ Role of Vitamin D in Blood Pressure Homeostasis. Feneis JF, Arora RR. Am J Ther. 2010 Mar 5.