Unfortunately, high blood pressure (also known as hypertension) is a growing health concern. One in three Americans are said to suffer from it these days. A bevy of chemical drugs are available to control it but they have some pretty nasty side effects, and people usually find they need to take more than one type. So what about a natural alternative? Can green lipped mussel blood pressure remedy help?
High blood pressure occurs when the heart pumps blood more forcefully against the walls of the arteries in the body. Usually, it becomes an issue as people age and their blood vessels become stiffer. It's important to treat it as it can result in life-threatening illnesses such as stroke, heart attack, and heart failure.
However, the problem is that it's a condition that usually can't effectively be treated just with chemical drugs. While they may be able to control the symptoms, the underlying cause will still remain. This is because diet and lifestyle play a huge role in high blood pressure. Sedentary lifestyle, obesity, smoking, stress, alcohol intake, and mineral deficiencies are particular contributing factors. They all lead to strain on the body's kidneys, nervous system, and blood vessels.
So apart from lifestyle changes, what can be done?
The key is Omega-3 fatty acids. The thing about these Omega-3 fatty acids is that although the body needs them for every function, it can't make them itself. It relies on a healthy diet to get them. Nowadays, people's poor dietary habits often mean that their bodies are lacking in Omega-3s.
The importance of Omega-3 fatty acids is stressed by The American Heart Association, which recommends a minimum intake of them for cardiovascular health. Of course, blood pressure is a key component of cardiovascular health. Included in the Association's definition of cardiovascular health is blood pressure below 120/80.
There have been a number of scientific studies that have proven that high dosages of Omega-3 fatty acids can actually lower blood pressure.
But where to get them from? Marine creatures, such as oil fish and shellfish are excellent sources. The top two are king salmon and green lipped mussels.
Of course, it's not possible to always eat these foods (especially the green lipped mussel, which is native to New Zealand). That's why supplements need to be taken. There are a plethora of them available on the market, but it's important to choose which one you take very careful because they do vary considerably in quality due to the natural nature of the ingredients and processing methods used.
Find out more about how to choose a quality green lipped mussel supplement.
Maya S. Cook is enthusiastic about natural health, and has been taking natural health supplements for many years. She's the founder and editor of Be Well Naturally Guide and writes on a range of natural health and wellness topics.