MOTHERWORT AS A RELAXANT Another herb of note is motherwort, which has hypotensive, cardiotonic, and antispasmodic properties. It is an effective relaxant and has been used safely as a daily tonic in patients who have neuropathic cardiac disorders and cardiac complaints of nervous origin. The Commission E approved motherwort for nervous cardiac disorders and as an adjuvant for thyroid hyperfunction. Alkaloids in the plant depress the central nervous system and lower blood pressure in preliminary testing, and are considered responsible for this herb’s benefits.
GRAPE SEED EXTRACT Grape seed extract appears to be especially valuable for reducing blood pressure. Polyphenolic compounds in grape seeds are potent antioxidants that cause a nitric oxide-mediated relaxation of blood vessels. Preliminary research on a patented grape seed extract demonstrates its ability to relax blood vessels after 4 weeks at 150mg per day. Both systolic and diastolic blood pressures were significantly reduced after 4 weeks and plasma antioxidant levels demonstrated a significant short term increase. This extract also significantly decreased cholesterol and LDL cholesterol by 12 and 16% in high cholesterol subjects, while normal subjects did not show any change in lipid profiles. This study strongly suggests that grape seed extract protects vascular function, which plays a pivotal role in modulating heart disease.
PROBIOTICS FOR BLOOD PRESSURE Probiotics and probiotically-cultured foods are well-known for supporting digestive and immune health, but perhaps not so wellknown is their ability to support healthy blood pressure levels. Interestingly, recent research indicates that inactive whole bacterial cells and their metabolites provide unique health-promoting properties that live probiotic cells lack. For instance, certain inactive Lactobacilli and Bifidobacteria cells and the metabolic substances formed during their fermentation have the unique property of being able to inhibit angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) activity. The primary function of ACE is to help regulate arterial pressure by converting angiotensin I to angiotensin II. Angiotensin I by itself is inactive, but when converted by ACE to the active form, angiotensin II, it causes narrowing of the small blood vessels in tissues, which results in increased blood pressure. High ACE levels in the bloodstream generate more angiotensin II, which makes it a marker for cardiovascular and respiratory disease. Angiotensin II also stimulates the hormone aldosterone, which is a cause of hypertension. Research reveals that the ACEmodulating peptides (linked amino acids) in a vegetable-based fermentation medium from Bifidobacteria and Lactobacillus provide a modulating effect on both blood pressure and CETP, a key blood factor in maintaining healthy HDL cholesterol levels. For years we’ve been advised of the right things to do for healthy blood pressure; getting regular exercise, quitting smoking, avoiding trans fats, eating more potassium-rich fruits and vegetables and less sodium-laden processed foods. Good recommendations all, and now we can add the right herbs and probiotic formulas to our list of heart healthy strategies. Mark Schneider is a Certified Nutritional Practitioner(C.N.P) in the Greater Toronto Area. Call: 1-800-304-1497 x.104. www.advantagehealthmatters.com. Healthy Directions Feb/Mar 2009 27