CLINICAL TRIALS-BLOOD PRESSURE (HYPERTENSION)

MAGNESIUM-Magnesium is a potent vasodilator because of its ability to displace calcium from the same smooth muscle cell surfaces as well as its interference with the metabolism of acetylcholine at the myoneural junction. (Anabolism 2(6):1, 1983; Altura BM, Altura BT.  Magnesium ions and the contractions of smooth muscles. Fed Proc 40(12):2672-9,1981).

POTASSIUM-

Experimental double blind study- 37 pts. with mildly increased BP and normal sodium intake randomly received either 48 mmol potassium or placebo.  By the third week BP in the actively treated gp. had decreased significantly compared to the placebo group and at 15 weeks the decrease reached its maximum.

(Siani A et al. Controlled trial of long term potassium supplements in hypertensive patients N Engl J Med 312(12):746-49,1985).

COLEUS  FORSKOHLI

The root of Coleus forksohlii, an herb used in Aryuvedic Medicine, contains forskolin which causes relaxation of the artery and a resultant lowering of blood pressure.

It is best to use a standardized extract which can provide 5 to 10 mg. of forskolin.

Melvyn Werbach M.D. Botanical Influence on Illness -Third Line Press, Inc. 2000.

GARLIC Meta-analysis: 8 trials (7 double-blind, 1 single-blind) were identified as meeting analytical criteria.  A total of 415 subjects were included in the analysis.  All trials used a dried garlic powder standardized to contain 1.3% allicin at a dosage of 600-900 mg. daily.   The patients were tracked for systolic and diastolic BP over a 1 to 3 month period.  The typical drop from the pooled data was 11 mm Hg systolic and 5.0 mm Hg diastolic pressure. (Silagy CA, Neil AW.  A meta-analysis of the effect of garlic on blood pressure. J Hypertens 12:463-8,1994).

HAWTHORN-

Extracts of hawthorn berry, leaves, and flowering tops extracts are widely used by physicians in Europe for their cardiotonic effects.  The beneficial effects of hawthorn extracts are due to the presence of procyanidin flavanoid.  Then dosage for Hawthorn extracts is standardized to contain 1.8% vitexin.  The dosage is 340-480 daily.

Melvyn Werbach M.D.   Botanical Influences on Illness-Third Line Press, Inc. 2000.

OLIVE

Administration of olive leaf extract may reduce hypertension.

Experimental Placebo-controlled Study:  Two groups of patients suffering with hypertension, 12 consulting for the first time and 18 currently on hypertensive drugs, were given an aqueous extract of olive leaf (400mg x 4/24 h) for 3 months following 15 days of placebo treatment.  All pts. demonstrated a statistically significant decrease of blood pressure on the extract (p<0.0001).  No side effects were reported. (Cherif S. (A clinical trial of a titrated Olea extract in the treatment of essential arterial hypertension). J Pharm Belg 51(2):69-71,1996) (in French).

ARTICLE: "The role of Vascular Biology, Nutrition and Nutraceuticals in the Prevention and Treatment of Hypertension," Houston MC, JANA, April 2002;1(Suppl):5-71.

SUMMARY:  This is a very extensive review article on the role of nutrition, nutraceutical and vascular biology in relation to hypertension.  (I am only going to mention the conclusions concerning nutraceuticals).  Nutritional supplements for hypertension include vitamin C 250-500 mg. daily, coenzyme Q10 at 60 mg., twice daily, NAC at 500 mg., 2 times daily; L-arginine at 3.3 grams 2 times daily, hawthorn standardized extract 160-900 mg. daily; L-cartinine at 1,000 mg., 2 times daily; taurine at 1.0-1.5 grams, 2 times dailySigma NADA at 2.5-5.0mg., 2 times daily.

CHOLESTEROL-Polioconosol

In 29 studies polioconosol involving 1528 found 12 mg./day polioconosol (range-5-40 mg/day brought about a 23.7 per cent reduction in LDL.

 Furthermore, polioconosol was found to have favorable effects on levels of total cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, and triglycerides.  Adverse effects were extremely

 low among all subjects.

Meta-analysis of natural therapies for hyperlipidemia; poliocosonol. Chen JT, Wesley R et all. Pharmacotherapy, 2005, 25(2):171-83.

CHOLESTEROL-Gugulipid refers to the extract of gum guggul of the mukul myrhh tree standardized for guggulsterones.  It is the preferred form as no side effects are usually seen in clinically effective doses.  The dosage of guggulipid depend son the guggulsterone content.  Twenty-five milligrams of guggulsterones 3 times daily is the effective dose.

Melvyn Werbach M.D. and Michael Murray N.D., Botanical Influences on Illness, Third Line Press, 2000.

Experimental Placebo-controlled Study (C):  205 pts. received gugulipid  500 mg. 3 times daily (containing 25 mg. of guggulsterones per capsule).  Total cholesterol was significantly lowered in 70-80% of patients. (Nityanand S et al. Clinical trials with Gugulipid: A new hypolipidemic agent. J Assoc Phys India 37(5):323-8,1989).

CHOLESTEROL-Red yeast rice

"Cholesterol-Lowering Effects of a proprietary Chinese Red-Yeast-Rice Dietary Supplement" Heber D, et al, Am J Clin Nutr, 1999;69:231-236.

Summary:

In China, the consumption of red yeast rice has been studied in animals and human and has been found to reduce total cholesterol concentrations by 11-32%  and triglyceride concentrations by 12-19%.  (LDL reduced, no effect HDL)  The typical consumption in Asian countries including China and Japan, is 14 and 55 g/person/day.

ARTICLE: "Arztezitschrift fur Naturheilverfahren,"  Medizinisch Literarische MBH, May, 1995;5:36:378-389.

Summary:  Artichoke extract is known for choleretic, lipid lowering and hepaprotective effects.  artichoke extract has benefit against dyspeptic disorders.  Cynarine is the major compound from the total extract of the artichoke leaves.  Artichoke extract appears to have an inhibitory effect on plaque forming oxidated low density lipoprotein.

ARTICLE:  "Complementary Lipid-lowering Therapies," McDermott JH, Am J Health-Syst Pharm, August 15, 1999;56:1668-1671.

Summary:  Garlic at 600-900 mg. of allicin daily has been shown to reduce serum cholesterol.  Gugulipid can lower both serum cholesterol and triglycerides.  Five hundred mg. of gugulipid, 3 times daily, provides gugulsterione at 25 mg., 3 times daily.  Coenzyme Q10 at 50-300 mg. per day has beneficial effects on the cardiovascular system, including reducing cholesterol levels.  Flaxseed oil, which is rich in alpha-linoleic acid, has been shown to lower serum cholesterol and LDL cholesterol.