High blood pressure is often dubbed the “silent killer.” It affects 1 in 3 Americans, and according to the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) “About 11 million U.S. adults with high blood pressure aren’t even aware they have it and are not receiving treatment to control their blood pressure.” High blood pressure is an important indicator that something is wrong in your body and ignoring symptoms over an extended period could lead to severe complications such as stroke and other neurological disorders.
First, it is essential to receive a diagnosis of high blood pressure. Talk to your doctor about options and risk factor. If you are in the danger zone for high blood pressure, you will need to take medications prescribed by your doctor to bring your blood pressure back to normal levels.
Coconut oil has taken the world by storm over the past few years, with knowledge of this tropical treasure finally making its way into scientific studies and health publications. It is touted for its abilities to decrease inflammation, act as an antibacterial and antifungal agent, all while being a healthy cooking oil and all-around beauty product. But did you know it may help lower blood pressure?
In a 2015 study published in Applied Physiology, Nutrition, and Metabolism, researchers working at Biotechnology Center at the Federal University of Paraiba in Brazil discovered that this healthy oil combined with exercise training might be a potent means of reducing blood pressure.
Researchers performed tests on spontaneously hypertensive rats, testing the hypothesis that daily doses of coconut oil along with regular exercise would restore baroreflex sensitivity and reduce oxidative stress, thereby reducing blood pressure. Rats exposed to these methods experienced a noted reduction in weight compared to the control group that was given saline and not on the exercise regimen.
Scientists tested both coconut oil and exercise alone and exercise alone as a means of blood pressure reduction. Both methods, individually proved effective in reducing blood pressure, however, only when activity and coconut oil were combined, did the readings return to normotensive levels. This reduction could be the result of reduced baroreflex sensitivity and oxidative stress as a result of the coconut oil supplementation and exercise protocols.
Dr. Valdir de Andrade Braga, co-author of the study, spoke regarding the favorable results, “This is an important finding as coconut oil is currently being considered a popular “superfood” and it is being consumed by athletes and the general population who seek a healthy life style.”The possibility of using coconut oil as an adjuvant to treat hypertension adds to the long list of benefits associated with its consumption. Our next step is to start some clinical trials in order to verify whether we can reproduce those findings in hypertensive human patients.”
Eat healthy foods
Start by cutting out unhealthy junk food such as sugary drinks, heavy carbohydrate meals, and fried foods. Begin eating more fresh food such as fruit, vegetables, and freshly caught fish.
Move, move, move! Taking the time to exercise can affect your health in major ways. Simply walking for 30 minutes per day gets your blood flowing and helps encourage your metabolism. If you want to mix it up a little, try different cardio activities such as swimming, dancing, or cycling. Regular exercise is one of the most simple ways that you can reduce your risk of developing hypertension.
Limit stress
Determine stress triggers in your life and eliminate those if possible. It is important to meditate on the things that bring you joy and avoid overcommitting. Be sure to take time for yourself to perform stress relieving activities and process the events of the day to avoid becoming overwhelmed.
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