Whey supplements lower blood pressure: Low-cost protein gets big results in people with elevated blood pressure

ScienceDaily (Dec. 13, 2010) — Beverages supplemented by whey-based protein can significantly reduce elevated blood pressure, reducing the risk of stroke and heart disease, a Washington State University study has found.

Research led by nutritional biochemist Susan Fluegel and published in International Dairy Journal found that daily doses of commonly available whey brought a more than six-point reduction in the average blood pressure of men and women with elevated systolic and diastolic blood pressures. While the study was confined to 71 student subjects between the ages of 18 and 26, Fluegel says older people with blood pressure issues would likely get similar results.

"One of the things I like about this is it is low-cost," says Fluegel, a nutritional biochemistry instructor interested in treating disease through changes in nutrition and exercise. "Not only that, whey protein has not been shown to be harmful in any way."

Terry Shultz, co-author and an emeritus professor in the former Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition, said the findings have practical implications for personal health as well as the dairy industry.

"These are very intriguing findings, very interesting," he said. "To my knowledge, this hasn't been shown before."

The study, which Fluegel did for her doctorate in nutritional biochemistry, notes that researchers in a 2007 study found no blood-pressure changes in people who took a whey-supplemented drink. At first, she saw no consistent improvement either. But then she thought to break out her subjects into different groups and found significant improvements in those with different types of elevated blood pressure. Improvements began in the first week of the study and lasted through its six-week course.

The supplements, delivered in fruit-flavored drinks developed at the WSU Creamery, did not lower the blood pressure of subjects who did not have elevated pressure to begin with. That's good, said Fluegel, as low blood pressure can also be a problem.

Other studies have found that blood-pressure reductions like those seen by Fluegel can reduce cardiovascular disease and bring a 35 to 40 percent reduction in fatal strokes.

Health benefits aside, researchers are excited about the prospect of improving the market for whey, a cheese byproduct that often has to be disposed of at some expense. Its potential economic impact is unclear, says Shannon Neibergs, a WSU extension economist, "but any positive use of that product is going to be beneficial."

Several supplement makers contributed product to the study, which was funded in part by the Washington Dairy Products Commission. None of the contributors had a role in analyzing the data or writing the report.

Story Source:

The above story is reprinted (with editorial adaptations by ScienceDaily staff) from materials provided by Washington State University.

Journal Reference:

Susan M. Fluegel, Terry D. Shultz, Joseph R. Powers, Stephanie Clark, Celestina Barbosa-Leiker, Bruce R. Wright, Timothy S. Freson, Heidi A. Fluegel, Jonathan D. Minch, Lance K. Schwarzkopf. Whey beverages decrease blood pressure in prehypertensive and hypertensive young men and women. International Dairy Journal, 2010; 20 (11): 753 DOI: 10.1016/j.idairyj.2010.06.005

Note: If no author is given, the source is cited instead.

Disclaimer: This article is not intended to provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Views expressed here do not necessarily reflect those of ScienceDaily or its staff.

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Lower blood pressure may preserve kidney function in some patients

ScienceDaily (Sep. 2, 2010) — Intensively treating hypertension in some African Americans with kidney disease by pushing blood pressure well below the current recommended goal may significantly decrease the number who lose kidney function and require dialysis, suggests a Johns Hopkins-led study publishing in the New England Journal of Medicine.

"This is not a panacea. We have a lot more to figure out. But our evidence suggests that we have a way to at least delay or possibly even prevent end-stage kidney disease in some patients," says Lawrence J. Appel, M.D., M.P.H., a professor of medicine at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and the study's leader.

End-stage kidney disease is the point at which patients need to be on dialysis or receive a kidney transplant in order to survive.

Still, not everyone in the study was helped by the aggressive blood pressure treatment. Those patients who had little or no protein in their urine -- that is, patients who were not as sick -- saw their kidney disease progress at roughly the same rate regardless of how low they tried to get their blood pressure. It was the sicker patients, that is, those with protein in their urine, who benefited most from the more intensive blood pressure therapy, with roughly a 25 percent reduction in end-stage kidney disease as compared with those who met the standard blood pressure goal. Roughly one-third of the participants had higher amounts of protein in their urine.

"This has always been a hot topic: Is a lower blood pressure goal better at preserving kidney function than the standard goal? The answer is a qualified yes, notably in people who have some protein in their urine," Appel says.

In the National Institutes of Health-sponsored African-American Study of Kidney Disease and Hypertension (AASK), 1,094 hypertensive African Americans with chronic kidney disease were randomized to one of two groups: standard blood pressure goal versus intensive (or lower) blood pressure goal. Both groups needed to get their blood pressure in check -- the first group's goal was a blood pressure of roughly 140/90 (the standard target of doctors when treating hypertensive patients), while the second group's goal was approximately 130/80. Researchers lowered blood pressure through a combination of commonly used drugs. The patients were followed between 8.8 and 12.2 years.

Chronic kidney disease is a major public health problem and one that is only growing, Appel says. In the United States, roughly one-third of cases of end-stage kidney disease -- in which the kidneys no longer function and patients require dialysis or a transplant -- are attributed to hypertension. The burden of kidney disease is especially high in African Americans. Though they constitute only 12 percent of the population, African Americans make up 32 percent of those with end-stage kidney disease. Appel says African Americans are four to 20 times more likely to reach end-stage kidney disease, though researchers remain unsure of the reasons why.

Physicians consider patients with blood pressure over 140/90 to be hypertensive, and they will often put those patients on blood pressure-lowering medication with the goal of getting them back below that hazardous threshold. In recent years, some doctors have suggested that their patients with kidney disease try to get their blood pressure lower than that to stave off the progression of kidney disease, though without much scientific evidence, Appel says.

Appel says his study suggests that physicians should check for protein in the urine before determining the blood pressure goal for African Americans with kidney disease. If the patient has protein in the urine, a lower blood pressure goal has the potential to slow the progression of kidney disease. But if the patient has little or no protein in the urine, Appel says, the study suggests that reaching the lower blood pressure goal is not worth the extra effort, and the standard goal is just as good. Getting hypertensive patients down to 130/80 takes more doctor visits and requires more medication -- on average, one more blood pressure prescription. However, once the lower blood pressure level is achieved, keeping the blood pressure there is not particularly difficult.

Even though the study found a benefit of aggressive blood pressure treatment in one group of hypertensive African Americans with kidney disease, a significant number of those patients still ended up with end-stage kidney disease or worse. While roughly 90 percent of those who were in the standard blood pressure group saw their disease progress, about 75 percent of those in the aggressive therapy arm of the trial still progressed to a poor outcome.

"That's still pretty high," Appel says. "The key is preventing early kidney damage in the first place."

More research is necessary, he says, to identify more factors that prevent early kidney damage, as well as factors that delay kidney disease progression among those who already have chronic kidney disease.

The study was conducted at 20 medical centers in the United States. Along with Appel, other Johns Hopkins faculty and staff involved in the research include Edgar Miller, M.D., Ph.D., Brad Astor, Ph.D., M.P.H., M.S.; Charalett Diggs, R.N.; Jeanne Charleston, R.N.; and Charles Harris.

The National Institutes of Health was the primary sponsor of the study. In addition, King Pharmaceuticals provided financial support and donated antihypertensive medications. Pfizer Inc., AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals, Glaxo Smith Kline, Forest Laboratories, Pharmacia and Upjohn also donated medication.

Story Source:

The above story is reprinted (with editorial adaptations by ScienceDaily staff) from materials provided by Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions, via EurekAlert!, a service of AAAS.

Journal Reference:

Appel et al. Intensive Blood-Pressure Control in Hypertensive Chronic Kidney Disease. New England Journal of Medicine, 2010; 363 (10): 918 DOI: 10.1056/NEJMoa0910975

Note: If no author is given, the source is cited instead.

Disclaimer: This article is not intended to provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Views expressed here do not necessarily reflect those of ScienceDaily or its staff.

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How Do You Lower Cholesterol Without Medication

How do you lower cholesterol without medication? Is it really possible? Yes it is. Lowering cholesterol naturally is just as effective as using prescription drugs. You can reduce your intake of saturated fats and trans fats, increase your intake of HDL "good cholesterol" foods, and exercise more. Doing these three things alone can make a huge impact in your lifestyle and improve your overall health. Not only will you have a healthier heart; you will have a better life, and have a greater chance of living longer till your golden ages.

To avoid suffering from heart attack, stroke, or other cardiovascular diseases related to high cholesterol, you can also take natural cholesterol busting supplements as well as vitamins and nutrients to boost your immune system. Heart failure due to high cholesterol levels is something you shouldn't brush off your shoulders and laugh about; right now the leading cause of death in the States is heart attack and you shouldn't want to be included in this statistics.

So first you should get yourself checked to confirm if you have high cholesterol. Your doctor would most probably prescribe statins to lower your cholesterol, but talk to him about natural options. You can then take steps to lower your cholesterol at home. You can observe how your body is managing your fat elimination by checking your feces. If it floats, then it means it has a high amount of fat in it eliminated from your body; but if it sinks, it means it has very little fat, which could indicate that your body has absorbed most of the fats you have eaten. If this is the case, then it's a sign that you should eat more soluble fibers to soak up the fats and cholesterol in your body in order to be flushed out from your system the next time you go potty.

It is recommended to eat 57-147g of oatmeal per day or 10-30g of psyllium husks or 2-3 apples (or pears). An alternative is also to eat at least 100-150g of legumes. You can supplement this by taking artichoke leaf extract, de-ionized garlic, or red yeast rice to reduce more of the cholesterol in your body. Many people also swear by the benefits of fish oil in lowering their cholesterol.

Dieting, exercising, and taking natural supplements for lower cholesterol have various cardiovascular and general health benefits, and have a lasting effect on your health. For a healthier heart and a better lifestyle, all of these should be part of your daily regimen. You really don't have to take expensive prescription drugs that have numerous side effects. You can rather treat and manage your cholesterol level through natural means. It's easy as the three simple steps mentioned above. Even doctors advice these healthy ways to feel better, avoid illnesses, especially heart diseases, and hence prolong and improve the quality of your life.

Now you know that treating cholesterol naturally is indeed effective, you can start applying these suggested answers to the question, "how do you lower cholesterol without medication," to improve your health.

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How To Lower LDL Cholesterol Naturally Before It Gets Worse

Your cholesterol can be a pro or a con. Lets talk about what it is! Cholesterol is a plasma that runs throughout your bloodstream, and is found within your fat. There a high density lipoprotein that your body naturally produces. It's necessary so that we can protect our own bodies from cholesterol. High density lipoprotein or (HDL) is opposite of lipoprotein (LDL.) Lipoprotein is bad cholesterol that will clog your arteries and prevent the natural functioning of your body. It will effect your liver and nutrients deliverance to your heart and your brain. It's important to know if you are at risk for high cholesterol, that way you can check on it at an early stage and take care of it before it gets worse. The great thing is that once you know that you have it you are capable of lowering it and maintaining it at a healthy level. After informing yourself you will know how to lower cholesterol.

The most important thing that you need to do is watch what you have been eating. If you have found out that your cholesterol is high in LDL and you have been eating over processed foods, or a lot of meat and dairy products- than you know what the problem is! You need to switch up your diet and do it fast! Those foods are very high in saturated fat, and saturated fat is what causes your cholesterol to rise. You need to avoid foods like meat and eggs. If you are going to eat eggs, then only eat the egg whites. The yolk is very high in cholesterol. Besides eating correctly, there are other remedies that you can improve. Instead of cooking with butter in your pan, than use white wine vinegar or vegetable oil.

Recognise your weight if you are concerned. The worst thing to have is high cholesterol and be overweight. You have a higher risk of (eventually) heart disease, having a stroke or having a heart attack if you are overweight. Did you know that you can actually lower your cholesterol up to 20% if you lost weight? It's difficult to monitor food ingredients and grocery shopping when you're working full time and taking care of a million other things. If you have trouble restricting yourself, then buy pre-packaged meal plans. They will help you to lose weight and they have the sufficient amount of nutrients that your body needs; never a meal that is fried or processed. If exercising hasn't been a thing of the past, it may be another factor in your health problem. You need to have physical activity throughout the week for every aspect of your health! Exercising improves your mood, your metabolism, your physique and will motivate you to eat better after all of your hard work.

Just because you might be ageing it does not mean that you are more prone to having higher cholesterol. As long as you're taking care of yourself and you get regular check ups than you have nothing to worry about; but studies have shown that certain races are more prone to high cholesterol than others. It's the same scale for your age, but African-Americans (more so the women) are more likely to have it and heart disease.

There are medications that you can take for it, such as Statin. Studies have shown that they do work- but, this does not mean that you can excuse yourself from maintaining your health. Along with medication comes self discipline and knowledge of your body. The strength of the medication also depends on what level your cholesterol is at.

If you aren't sure as to whether or not you have LDL, there are no symptoms! After the age of 20 it would be smart of you to take a test, because it is the only way that you will know. You should take extra precaution if you have had a sedentary lifestyle. That includes smoking, drinking, eating habits, your stress level and certain medications. If you are tested the first time with proficient results, than don't assume that you will have the same results five years later. That is why it is recommended that you test your cholesterol every five years! Since there are no symptoms, many realize that they are victim after their first heart attack.

Now that you know how to lower cholesterol, you know that playing it safe is better than taking a risk! If you are not at risk for LDL than consider yourself lucky, and prevent it from ever effecting your lifestyle. I cannot stress enough how much progress will come from eating well and working out! You will find that after you lower your cholesterol, that you will have an abundance of energy! Feeling healthy is the foundation of your world- socially, mentally, physically and emotionally! Your body is sacred and you only have one. If you are capable of something, than you shouldn't let go of it! Don't let go of your health just because you are lazy!

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Ways To Lower Blood Pressure Fast - Knock 10 Points Off Now!

If you suffer from high blood pressure you already know how miserable life can be. Hypertension is nothing to mess around with but if you don't do anything the best you will ever feel is the way you feel today. If you'd like to learn how to lower pressure fast just keep reading.

If you are on medication stay on it. Quitting hypertension medicine cold turkey can have disastrous affects. Do try these natural approaches to lowering blood pressure and as they work, consult with your doctor about reducing dosages of medication.

The fastest way to lower your pressure is through daily aerobic exercise. A thirty minute walk or bicycle ride can drop your BP about 2 points immediately and it will stay there for roughly 24 hours. Regular exercise will also strengthen your heart muscle and burn off stress related chemicals in your blood.

The Three Day Diet To Lower Blood Pressure

Try these three natural approaches for three days and watch your pressure drop 10 points.
Three teaspoons of apple vinegar mixed in a half glass of water. Nobody knows exactly why this works but it does. Take the mixture each morning for three days.Take a garlic supplement, or if you are a purist and love garlic, eat three to five cloves a day. Garlic has been used as a medicinal drug for centuries and is an abundant source of antioxidants.You need a good source of Omega-3 and you can pretty much forget about finding it in fish anymore. Most salmon are farm raised and fed junk. Only use fish that are classified as "wild" otherwise take a supplement.

These three natural remedies working together are great ways to lower blood pressure fast and show you the value of a natural approach to your condition.

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Lower Blood Pressure With Resistance Training

A study was published October 2010 in the Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research evaluated the impact of resistance training compared to aerobic training on arterial blood flow.

It's been speculated that changes in arterial distensibility (the elasticity of your blood vessels) may be related to exercise-induced difference in vasodilatory capacity, which the ability of blood vessels to dilate.

The Study

The purpose of this recent study was to investigate the vasodilatory and arterial distensibility (AD) responses to acute aerobic exercise and resistance exercise.

The study focused on 10 healthy men with an average age of 25 years-old. Forearm blood flow during reactive hyperemia was assessed before and after 60 minutes of exercise.

Aortic and femoral pulse wave velocity was also measured to assess arterial stiffness pre-workout, 40 minutes post, and 60 minutes post an acute phase of aerobic exercise (30 minute cycling) and resistance exercise (3 sets of 10 reps for upper and lower body).

The Results

Researchers found arterial stiffness to decrease with aerobic exercise, but blood flow to limbs did not increase. With resistance training blood flow to limbs was increased, but there was also a slight increase in arterial stiffness. Resistance training did result in a longer blood pressure drop following exercise when compared with aerobic exercise.

Researchers concluded that changes in arterial distensibility are not associated with changes in vasodilatory capacity after acute exercise. When comparing resistance exercise to aerobic exercise, resistance exercise has a greater impact on blood flow and reduced blood pressure post exercise.

The Take Away

When working to achieve heart health, reduce your risk for cardiovascular disease, and lower blood pressure it's essential to use a combination of aerobic and resistance exercises to achieve optimal health results. Both forms of exercise have distinct benefits that impact the heart and vascular system.

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How Lower Cholesterol Can Help You

You don't have to be a health-conscious person to know how lower cholesterol can help your body. Knowing how you can lower your cholesterol is very significant in improving your overall health. Controlling the food you eat so your body would always have the right level of cholesterol doesn't only make your lifestyle a lot healthier; it would also help you live a longer life in the end.

Balancing your fats (cholesterol) intake is very crucial in preventing heart problems, stroke, and other cardio vascular diseases. That's why it's important to learn more about cholesterol and how to control it.

First, cholesterol is a liver-by product substance in the body that is wax-like or fat-like. It's produced from dietary cholesterol or naturally occurring cholesterol foods like red meat, eggs, dairy foods, and some sea foods. Basically there are two types of cholesterol: LDL (Low Density Lipoprotein) or the "bad cholesterol" and the HDL (High Density Lipoprotein), the "good cholesterol." A healthy level of these cholesterols helps the body to function properly especially in the production of vitamin D, hormones, and acids that help in the digestion of bile. However when you have high cholesterol, or your cholesterol is not in its "optimal" level (you have too many LDL or too little HDL), then you could be at a higher risk for stroke, heart problems, and other cardiovascular diseases as well.

According to the American Heart Association, a person should only consume 300 milligrams of dietary cholesterol per day. And, if you are already diagnosed with high cholesterol, or if you have a heart disease, then you should maintain your intake of dietary cholesterol to only 200 milligrams daily.

How to Lower Your Cholesterol

To lower your cholesterol, you can first lower your intake of both LDL and HDL altogether. On the other hand, you can also just avoid high LDL foods like foods with saturated fats and trans fats. Making it a habit to read the package labels on the food you buy from the grocery store in this case would be really helpful. Avoid red meat, chicken skin, egg (yolks), butter, dairy products, and sea foods like lobster, shrimp, or crabs. You should also stay away from foods with hydrogenated vegetable oil, palm oil, or coconut oil.

Instead, choose foods cooked with unsaturated fats (polyunsaturated and monounsaturated fats) like sesame oil, sunflower oil, canola oil, and olive oil.

Also eat good cholesterol foods like fish rich in omega3 fatty acids, and other cholesterol lowering foods like lentils, walnuts, and almonds. Also try to eat at least ten grams of soluble fiber (oatmeal or beans) daily to soak up and flush out the extra cholesterol in your body.) Also add antioxidant foods diet like berries to diet as well as fish oil and natural or organic cholesterol reducing supplements or other prescription medications like anti high-triglyceride (for diabetics).

Finally, try to quit smoking and exercise more (at least 90 minutes per week). Not only will these reduce your risks for cancers, cardio-respiratory diseases, or obesity; it will also keep your HDL or good cholesterol at a healthier level. If you know how lower cholesterol and a balanced HDL level can help you, then you simply will have a healthier life.

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Hypertension King- How to Lower Blood Pressure Naturally

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Blueberries lower chance of high blood pressure

People who ate berries weekly reduced risk of hypertension by 10 percent, study finds Below: x Jump to discussion comments below discussion x Next story in Heart health Proposed drug development center could help find cures related Advertise

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