Along with temperature and pulse, blood pressure has long been referred to as one of the body’s major “vital” signs. Indeed it is! Blood pressure speaks volumes about the state of a person’s health.

What is Blood Pressure?

• Normal healthy blood pressure is considered 120/80.
• The top number, systolic pressure, represents the peak pressure generated in your arteries when your heart beats.
• The bottom number, diastolic pressure, indicates the pressure when your heart is at rest between heart beats.

1. Massage—You’ll like this one! A weekly massage helps keep blood flowing smoothly through the cardiovascular system, and it also helps you and your vessels relax. Another effective tool for maintaining good blood pressure is a long-handled bath brush with natural bristles. Before getting in the tub or shower, dry brush your body for 5 minutes to stimulate the circulation. It keeps the skin super smooth, too.
2. Exercise—You didn’t think we’d forget about this one, did you? Yes, a brisk 30 minute walk works wonders for keeping blood pressure in check. Breathe deeply down to the bottom of your lungs during the walk for optimal benefit.
3. No Tobacco—It’s gotta go. Every time you want to light up, ask your partner for five minutes of suggestion #1—tell him or her it’s strictly for your health’s sake. How can she or he say no?
4. Diet—First on the “Do” list are lots of fruits and veggies for their high content of blood pressure-balancing potassium and magnesium. High on the “Don’t” list is salt because it causes water retention and potassium depletion.
5. Periodic Checks—Find out your blood pressure numbers often and do what it takes to keep them in the healthy range.

The Role of Supplements

Natural dietary supplements can play a beneficial part in your diet and exercise program for maintaining healthy blood pressure. 

• Calcium—An impressive study funded in part by the National Institute of Health concluded that while a moderately low fat diet with plenty of raw fruits and vegetables was very effective for promoting healthy blood pressure, adding low fat dairy products and/or calcium to the diet significantly increased the benefits.

• Potassium—Another mineral that has a noteworthy effect on maintaining health blood pressure. Eat fresh produce when possible, and supplement when the diet is lacking this important mineral. Apricots are not only a good source of potassium but they also have lots of fiber, iron and beta-carotene. The drying process actually increases the concentration of these nutrients, all of which are good for the circulatory system.

• L-Arginine—A key player in the body’s production of nitric oxide, which is a compound that helps keep blood vessels dilated to promote healthy blood flow.

• Peptide Complexes—Unique compounds from protein sources like milk and fish are known as anti-A.C.E. peptides because they inhibit the activity of angiotensin converting enzyme (A.C.E.), an enzyme that constricts blood vessels. By blocking A.C.E. activity, these peptides help relax arterial walls to facilitate healthy blood flow.

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