Can I Lower My Blood Pressure Naturally?

measuring blood-pressureAccording to the Heart Foundation, almost one third of Australians have been told by their doctor they have high blood pressure or hypertension. This is a common yet serious issue, because uncontrolled hypertension can cause heart disease and stroke and is especially dangerous because it often has no warning signs or symptoms.

An important nutritional step in preventing high blood pressure and lowering already high blood pressure is through Magnesium supplementation.

Research on Lowering Blood Pressure with Magnesium

According to recent findings, Magnesium reduces blood pressure in people with hypertension. This study confirms dozens of observational studies demonstrating that magnesium intake is associated with lower blood pressure. In addition Magnesium deficiency is linked with the risk of high blood pressure.

In a recent study published in the Journal for Nutrition, Metabolism and Cardiovascular Disease (Lee S et al), researchers recruited 155 people who randomly received either daily supplements of Magnesium (300mg) or placebo for 12 weeks.

At the end of the study, significant decreases in both systolic and diastolic blood pressure were found in the Magnesium group.

How does Magnesium work to Lower Blood Pressure?

While it’s unclear exactly how Magnesium works to lower blood pressure, it appears to act as a vasodilator, relaxing the blood vessels, which naturally lowers blood pressure. We also know that Magnesium helps to reduce stress, and stress can increase blood pressure as well as deplete Magnesium from the body.

Magnesium has also been shown to enhance the effects of pharmaceutical blood pressure lowering medication. It’s important that hypertension be attended to by your doctor as medication may be required.

It might also be helpful to check your Magnesium levels. You can do a quick check online using the Magnesium Minute Survey. Your healthcare professional can advise you of the correct therapeutic dose of Magnesium for your individual needs.

References:
Australian Bureau of Statistics. National Health Survey 2011/12 (4364.0) October 2012
Begg S, Vos T, Barker B, Stevenson C, Stanley L, Lopez AD, 2007. The burden of disease and injury in Australia 2003. PHE82. Canberra: AIHW.
Heart Foundation. HeartWatch Survey 2011.
Houston MC, Harper KJ. Potassium, magnesium, and calcium: their role in both the cause and treatment of hypertension. J Clin Hypertens (Greenwich) 2008 Jul.;10(7 Suppl 2):3–11.
Johnson S et al.  The multifaceted and widespread pathology of magnesium deficiency.  Medical Hypotheses.  56(2):163-170, 2001.
Lee S et al. Effects of oral magnesium supplementation on insulin sensitivity and blood pressure in normo-magnesemic nondiabetic overweight Korean adults. Nutrition, Metabolism and Cardiovascular Diseases. Volume 19, Issue 11, December 2009, Pages 781–788.
Rosanoff A. Magnesium supplements may enhance the effect of antihypertensive medications in stage 1 hypertensive subjects. Magnes Res 2010 Mar.;23(1):27–40.