Vegetarian Means Vegan, Right?

Actually vegetarians tend to differ from what Vegans consider themselves to be. The exact reasons for why, evade me at the moment.

I eat plenty of vegetables but also enjoy eggs so I think this means I may be a vegetarian but I am not a vegan because eggs are not on their menu. I need to watch my calories and weight.

Veganism, if I may, seems to be more like a religion than just a healthy eating regime. I think the term is applied to not only eggs but even to wearing things that may have once been alive, like leather.

I have no feelings on this one way or another and think our life choices are just that, our life choices.

Wednesday, August 12, 2009

Five Supplements to Help Lower Blood Pressure

By Esther Dacamay

Vitamin supplements are a great source of healthy benefits we may be lacking in our everyday poor diet. However, it is important to remember that while incorporating these supplements into our diet, they will not give us the benefits we seek unless we try to implement eating a healthier diet.

If someone has high blood pressure, it is imperative that they choose a healthier diet. Otherwise, the body does not have the strength it needs to fight the disease. Using supplements and continuing to eat a diet high in saturated fat and red meat is futile as the liver becomes overtaxed with its already over burdened job of weeding out the bad stuff in your food.

If you have high blood pressure and want a natural way to lower it, vitamin supplements can help. However, it also requires a healthy diet. Listed below are a few supplements beneficial in lowering high blood pressure.

1) CoQ10 - Coenzyme Q10 has been shown in research to be highly beneficial in fighting cardiovascular disease and high blood pressure. It works by strengthening and oxygenating the heart muscle as well as aiding in the metabolic process.

2) Essential Fatty Acids - EFA's are said to decrease blood pressure and blood lipids and are commonly found in fish oils and flaxseed oil. It is for this reason that Eskimos have a lower rate of cardiovascular disease as their diet consists mainly of coldwater fish.

3) Vitamin E - Not only is this vitamin a scavenger of free radicals, it also helps to protect against heart attack and stroke. In addition, having a low level of this vitamin in the body is a primary indicator of heart disease.

4) Calcium - Not only does this supplement give a body strong bones and muscles, it also helps maintain normal blood pressure. Research has proven that in some people, calcium can modify hypertension.

5) Nicotinc Acid - This compound found in Niacin is shown in recent research to significantly lower cholesterol and triglyceride levels in the body.

A few secondary nutrients that also help lower high blood pressure are Vitamin D, Zinc, Lecithin (available in capsule or granule form), Chromium, and ginger.

In addition, certain herbs can also help lower blood pressure. However, as with all supplementation, check with your doctor as these compounds can cause serious chemical interactions in your body if taken simultaneously with pharmaceutical drugs.

Here are a few herb combinations that can assist in lowering blood pressure. Garlic, Valerian Root, Black Cohosh Root, Kelp, Cayenne, Blessed Thistle and Parsley Leaves. These herbs come in capsule form and are suggested to be taken four to eight times a day. However, once the desired blood pressure has been reached, it is important to gradually lower the dosage to maintain it. In addition, women who are pregnant or nursing should not use this combination.

About the Author:

No comments: