Hypertension & Prevention

High blood pressure affects about 20 % of the adult population and is the most common cardiovascular diseases. Its incidence increases with age.

But what is hypertension? It’s estimated that a person is hypertensive when the diastolic pressure (lowest) exceeds 9, and systolic pressure (highest) is greater than 14.

We call hypertension the “silent” or “sneaky” disease because many people are unaware that they are affected and few of us regularly check our blood pressure.

Meanwhile, high blood pressure causes major cardiovascular complications, and according to the WHO, 62% of strokes are attributed to it.

In fact, this excessive mechanical pressure exerted on the arteries causes abnormalities, stiffening their walls, and increases the risk of developing or worsening atherosclerotic plaques. The most commonly affected arteries are those that supply the brain (carotid), the heart (coronary), kidneys or lower limbs. High blood pressure, therefore, increases the risk of stroke, ischemic heart disease (angina, myocardial infarction), peripheral arterial disease (narrowing of the arteries that supply blood to the legs) and chronic kidney disease that may require term dialysis.

Furthermore, blood pressure indirectly increases the activity of the heart to maintain constant blood flow. This implies left ventricular hypertrophy and progressive loss of contractile activity that can develop into heart failure.

These complications are rarely immediate. The severity of hypertension is related to its long-term effects on different organs (1). Traditional medicine offers, of course, many “solutions”: diuretics, beta blockers (to slow the heart rate), calcium channel antagonists (to decrease vascular resistance), etc. But these treatments are exclusively symptomatic and are not without side effects.

That is why Regulating blood flow and blood pressure naturally limits the risk of cardiovascular disease while protecting our body

But what plants to choose? 

1- Vine red regulator of blood circulation 

The EMA (European Medicines Agency), recognizes the effectiveness of red wine in the treatment of disorders of venous circulation (venous insufficiency and varicose veins ) in the treatment of fragile capillaries (small blood vessels that form under the skin), and in the treatment of burns and irritations associated with hemorrhoids crisis (2). It attributes further anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-edematous properties, as well as a protective action on the liver plus general antimicrobial, antioxidant and diuretic actions

All these properties have of course been validated by scientific research on grape polyphenols, including resveratrol and oligomeric proanthocyanidins (OPC) (3) (4):

– Resveratrol (Found in grape skin) shows potent anti-oxidant activity and a real ability to slow aging in some primitive animals. It has a protective and stimulating effect on the circulatory system

– The anthocyanins (found in the leaves of the red vine) decrease capillary permeability and increase their strength, avoiding venous stasis. In grapes, this angioprotectrice action is enhanced by the presence of tannins, astringent and vasoconstrictor that promote venous return: the oligomeric proanthocyanidins (see properties of grape seed)

Consumption of red vine extracts thus maintains elasticity of the fiber that protects the vein, restores circulation, prevents and reduces edema.

2- Grape seed to promote the circulation  

Grape seeds are particularly concentrated in oligomeric proanthocyanidins (OPC )(5), which possess antioxidant twenty times more effective than vitamin C and fifty times more effective than vitamin E. The OPC, therefore, has a sustained effect on free radicals which, let’s recall it, destroy the cell membrane, damage collagen and are responsible for the hardening of arteries (hardening that increase the risk of hypertension).

The OPC improve the elasticity of blood vessels, prevent adhesion of blood thrombocytes responsible for blood clots and aphasia. They also reduce the amount of cholesterol depot on blood vessels walls. Last but not least, they have anti-inflammatory and anti-edematous exceptional.

Numerous clinical studies have been conducted in France to demonstrate the properties of grape seed in the treatment of capillary fragility and varicose veins. In a double-blind study, 71 patients with venous insufficiency received 300 mg daily of anthocyanidins grapeseed or placebo. A significant reduction in functional symptoms was observed in 75% of patients supplemented with 41% of subjects on placebo. Measurements show that the administration of anthocyanidins increases venous tone in patients with extended varicose veins(6). In another clinical trial, a group of geriatric patients with low capillary resistance was treated with 100 to 150 mg of anthocyanidins or placebo. Improved capillary resistance was observed after two weeks of treatment in half of supplemented patients(7).

3- The blueberry to strengthen capillaries 

Blueberry, rich in vitamin C, also provides iron, magnesium, potassium and phosphorus. It has a record amount of flavonoids with plasticizing, antioxidant and anticancer properties. Besides other phenolic components, the fruits contain a high concentration of anthocyanins, whose anti-oxidative effect far exceeds that of vitamins C and E.

Numerous clinical and epidemiological studies have been published on the relationship between the consumption of blueberries (flavonoids) and a reduction of the risk of cardiovascular and degenerative diseases. On the other hand, the phenolic compounds of blueberries help to reduce oxidation of lipids of the effects of oxidative stress and inflammation of the vascular system (8). A controlled study against double-blind placebo, involving 60 patients with chronic venous insufficiency, showed significant improvement in symptoms after 30 days of treatment with bilberry extract (9).

Blueberry, therefore, strengthens capillaries protecting them against oxidation (10), improves the contractile functions of the vessels and stimulates the regeneration of rods disposed on the retina. For the record: RAF pilots during the Second World War, ate large amounts of blueberries before night flights to increase their visual acuity (11).

4- Meadowsweet for better blood flow 

Known for centuries, meadowsweet contains, among others, salicylate derivatives (salicylic aldehyde, methyl salicylate, etc.), the precursor of acetylsalicylic acid, universally known as aspirin. If like aspirin, it has anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties, it has a huge advantage on it: its excellent tolerance. Unlike aspirin (synthesized) that causes ulcers and bleeding in the stomach by long use, meadowsweet helps fight against stomach acidity.

It also includes flavonoids, tannins and some trace elements such as iron, sulfur or calcium.

Its recognized properties are:

– Anti-inflammatory and antirheumatic – indicated for chronic pain, migraines, sore throats, laryngitis, etc.
– Fluidifying blood (vitamin K)
– Antipyretic (salicylates)
– Anti-acidity gastroesophageal,
– Diuretic and astringent (flavonoids and mineral salts): it powerfully eliminates uric acid,
– Intestinal antispasmodic and sedative urinary pain,
– Anti-diarrhea.

It is also recommended against cellulite, arteriosclerosis, all diseases related to overloading of the waste body.

5- Olive, natural hypotensive

The “trend” of the Mediterranean diet was born from extensive research that showed that the death rate for cardiovascular disease is lower in the countries consuming olive oil.

Furthermore, the proven efficacy of olive leaf makes it a preventive and curative treatment for high blood pressure. It improves circulation by relaxing and dilating the arteries, also promotes diuresis, helps reduce edema and reduces blood urea.

Why ? Because it contains:

– Oleuropein, significant oxidation inhibitor.
– Oleuropeoside, which has hypotensive properties and acts on the effects of high blood pressure such as headache, dizziness, ringing in the ears. It also has diuretic, hypoglycemic and spasmolytic properties, with a vasodilator and antiarrhythmic Action (12) (13).
– Flavonoids, antioxidants that help neutralize free radicals and play an important role in protecting the artery wall.

According to a study from the University of Milan, the olive leaves have a preventive effect on atherosclerosis and coronary heart disease. By their properties, they allow the reduction of “bad” cholesterol (LDL) by increasing the “good” one (HDL), which makes it a particularly invaluable addition to the treatment of non-insulin -dependent diabetes.

6- Blackcurrant, with antioxidant and drainage action 

The currant berries (like black grapes) owe their intense coloration to complex molecules, anthocyanins, with properties similar to those of vitamin P, which act as free radical scavengers. They also contain three times more vitamin C than oranges and are rich in provitamin A and vitamin E. Recent studies have shown that the antioxidant power of blackcurrants, therefore, comes from a synergy between its various compounds (anthocyanins, quercetin, vitamins A, C, and E)(14).

Blackcurrant is also vasculoprotective and veinotonic. In fact, they reinforce the strength and permeability of capillaries, improving microcirculation. They can be, as such, used in the prevention and treatment of the manifestations of fragile capillaries (rosacea, starred vessels on the legs ). The blackcurrant is opposed particularly to the aging of blood vessel walls.

It is also known that blackcurrant seed oil is rich in essential fatty acids of  Omega -3 family (alpha -linolenic acid, stearidonic acid, for example) and that of the omega-6 (gamma-linolenic acid, for example). These fatty acids have hypotensive properties (low blood pressure, or voltage) and are anti-inflammatory (15).

The specificity of blackcurrants resides in the easy assimilation of its elements by the body.

6 plants to combine for effective and global action! 

Each of the plants described above has components with their own potencies, that sometimes seem to overlap, but the important message here is that to get a comprehensive and targeted action they work best “associated” together for their synergistic action.

Only a synergistic complex allows the body to effectively regulate blood flow and blood pressure by acting on several “aspects” of the condition.

Meanwhile, be aware that consuming complex of plant extracts can be potentially dangerous and, due to the wide variation in the composition of natural products on the market, it is essential to ensure the origin, the strength, and the concentration of the active ingredients in the products.

On the other hand, if one can find many complexes containing dried extracts from one or more of the six plants mentioned above, micro granules few offer mixtures designed for maximum efficiency with a comprehensive and synergistic action.
Indeed the synergy of the active ingredient is an additional information given to the body delivering the message of when and how the actives will act without interacting.

We recommend the following 100% natural complex:

– It is composed of a mixture of titrated dry extracts of red vine, grape seed, blueberry, meadowsweet, olive and blackcurrants known to affect blood pressure and blood flow.
– It also contains bearberry, the goat’s rue and grapefruit, known for their hypoglycemic properties.
– It allows comprehensive action of the circulatory system and an effective voltage regulation
– It promotes microcirculation to act on the whole venous tree.
– It ensures a good balance blood by acting on sugars and cholesterol.
– It is compatible with medical treatment against hypertension.
– It is made of 100% natural active ingredients with a “smart” and sequential formulation for a synergistic and effective action of the components,
– It is completely bioavailable and biocompatible,
– Fruit of recent Galenic innovations, it is presented in micro granules- “Controlled release” to ensure a prolonged effectiveness and targeted active in the body.

We’ve selected a range of supplements:

• Made of 100% natural active ingredients
• Completely bioavailable and biocompatible
• In “Controlled release” microgranules form to ensure prolonged effectiveness and targeted action in the body

Images Credit: 123RF
Sources:
[1] Source INSERM – www.inserm.fr/thematiques/circulation-metabolisme-nutrition/dossiers-d-information/hypertension-arterielle
[2] Étude de l’EMA :
[3] Henriet JP. Exemplary study for a phlebotropic substance, the EIVE Study [translated from French]. Fairfield, Conn: Primary Source; not dated. Étude mentionnée et résumée dans : Natural Standard (Ed). Herbs & Supplements – Grape seed (Vitis vinifera, Vitis coignetiae), Nature Medicine Quality Standard. http://www.naturalstandard.com/
[4] Delacroix P. Double-blind study of Endotelon W in chronic venous insufficiency [translated from French]. La Revue de Médecine. Aug/Sept.1981;no.27-28:1793- 1802. Étude mentionnée et résumée dans : Natural Standard (Ed). Foods, Herbs & Supplements – Grape seed (Vitis vinifera, Vitis coignetiae), Nature Medicine Quality Standard. www.naturalstandard.com
[5] Pizzorno JE Jr, Murray Michael T (Ed). Textbook of Natural Medicine, Churchill Livingstone, États-Unis, 1999. p. 994.
[6] Royer R.J., Schmidt C.L., « Evaluation of venotropic drugs by venous gap plethysmography. A study of procyanidolic oligomers », Sem. Hop., 1981, 57:2009-2013.
[7] Dartenuc J.Y., Marache P., Choussat H., « Capillary resistance in geriatry. A study of a microangioprotector Endotelon », Bor. Med., 1980, 13:903-907.
[8] Neto CC. Cranberry and blueberry: evidence for protective effects against cancer and vascular diseases. Mol Nutr Food Res. 2007 Jun; 51(6):652-64.
[9] Gatta L., « Experimental single-blind study: 60 pts with venous insufficiency received bilberry extract equivalent to 173 mg anthocyanins daily of placebo for 30 days », Fitoterapia, 1988, 115:109-116.
[10] Kay CD, Holub BJ. The effect of wild blueberry (Vaccinium angustifolium) consumption on postprandial serum antioxidant status in human subjects.
[11]Pizzorno JE Jr, Murray Michael T (Ed). Textbook of Natural Medicine, Churchill Livingstone, États-Unis, 1999. p. 994.
[12] Susalit E, Agus, N Olive (Olea europaea) leaf extract effective in pat! ients with stage-1 hypertension: Comparison with Captopril., Effendi I et al. Phytomedicine. 2010 Oct 29.
[13] Syed Haris Omar, Oleuropein in Olive and its Pharmacological Effects.
[14] Études sur le cassis : “Antioxidant Activity of Black Currant Anthocyanin Aglycons and Their Glycosides Measured by Chemiluminescence in a Neutral pH Region and in Human Plasma”. Matsumoto, H., Y. Nakamura, et al. (2002). J. Agric. Food Chem. 50(18): 5034-5037
[15] Thèse « Le Cassis (ribes nigrum L.) : études botanique, chimique et effets thérapeutiques », Stéphanie GERBAKA, Grenoble 2013