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Does Turmeric Lower Blood Pressure And Cholesterol

What Is High Blood Pressure

How to lower your cholesterol naturally with turmeric

High blood pressure is common and very dangerous. Just like the name suggests, high blood pressure is a condition where the long-term force of the blood flowing through your artery walls is higher than it should be.

Most people with high blood pressure may not experience any symptoms, even if BP readings are at dangerously high levels. Thus, youll continue to incur damage to your heart and blood vessels without ever suspecting an issue. Hypertension is universally known as the silent killer for this reason.

There are certain risk factors to keep in mind that may increase your odds of developing HBP.

Its essential to seek medical help immediately if you have several risk factors. If left untreated, you have a greater risk of a stroke or developing heart disease. Prolonged hypertension may even lead to dementia, metabolic syndrome, or aneurysm.

It Is Beneficial For Heart And Vascular Health

Curcumin has protective effects on the cardiovascular system. It is found to be effective in the treatment of cardiotoxicity, diabetes-induced cardiovascular complications, heart failure, etc.

It reduces cholesterol levels and is effective in the treatment of atherosclerosis.

Curcumin is found to reverse aging-related changes in arteries and its function. It inhibits hypertension-induced heart failure and also protects the heart from drug-induced toxicity.

Endothelial dysfunction is a condition where the endothelium or lining of the blood vessels is affected and there imbalance between biological molecules that regulate constriction and relaxation of blood vessels.

Hypertension can occur as a result of endothelial dysfunction.

Researchshows that curcumin can help in ameliorating endothelial dysfunction and improve vascular health.

What does this mean?Curcumin has protective effects on cardiovascular system. Research suggests that curcumin can help in restoring vascular function and ameliorate structural changes which occur in diseased states in the blood vessels.

Research Proves Major Turmeric Benefits

Studies in the early 1990s began to confirm a connection between turmeric and cholesterol and some of the ways turmeric exerts its healing effects on the cardiovascular system, and specifically, on lowering LDL cholesterol. These small, early studies showed that curcumin in turmeric lowers LDL cholesterol in humans.

In research published in the Indian Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology, for example, ten healthy volunteers consumed 500 mg of curcumin per day for seven days. Not only did their blood levels of oxidized LDL cholesterol drop by 33 percent, but their total cholesterol dropped 11.63 percent, and their HDL increased by 29 percent.

Some, but not all, recent studies have confirmed the LDL cholesterol-lowering effects of curcumin. In one recent study, a curcumin supplement lowered triglycerides but had no effect on other lipids . Thirty participants with obesity were treated with 1 gram a day of curcumin or placebo in a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. After only 30 days, triglycerides were significantly reduced following curcumin supplementation.

In this study, turmeric benefits were revealed as curcumin did affect levels of total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, or HDL cholesterol, but other studies have found both LDL cholesterol- and triglyceride-lowering effects of curcumin supplementation.

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Turmeric Treats Other Risk Factors Like High Blood Sugar And High Cholesterol

One of the scariest things about high blood pressure is that it is a significant risk factor for heart disease, the leading cause of death in the United States. Turmeric doesnt just help with high blood pressure but also modulates other risk factors such as high cholesterol levels and diabetes that increase your chances of heart disease.19 Cholesterol deposits in the arteries and forms plaque, which then impedes blood flow, raising blood pressure. Many studies have found that curcumin can lower blood glucose as well as cholesterol levels and fight metabolic syndrome.2021 Even ayurveda considers turmeric a good scraping agent that removes cholesterol from blood vessels.

Garlic To Boost Heart Health

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Most of us are familiar with garlic, the strong-smelling bulb frequently used in cooking. But what you might not know is that eating garlic may protect your heart from changes that lead to heart disease.

As you age, some hardening of the arteries is normal. This is called atherosclerosis and occurs as fatty deposits made up of cholesterol and other substances build up on the inside of your artery walls. Factors such as smoking, high blood pressure and high cholesterol can make it worse. As the build-up increases over time, the arteries narrow. This can make you susceptible to heart attacks and strokes.

Researchers have linked garlic intake with keeping blood vessels flexible, especially in women. In addition, studies suggest that eating garlic may reduce cholesterol and triglycerides.

Garlic is a key ingredient in the Mediterranean diet, an eating style that heart doctors often recommend. It can be used in any number of savory dishes.

Meal tip: Pair fresh or powdered garlic with olive oil and pepper to flavor vegetables or use it with rosemary to make a tasty meat rub. You can sprinkle it in soups and salad dressings, too.

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Curcumin Bile Acids And Cholesterol

In a 2005 study published in Medical Science Monitor: International Medical Journal of Experimental and Clinical Research, a group of researchers investigated the hypolipidemic and antioxidant benefits of curcumin in rats.

The researchers induced hypercholesterolemia in the rats by feeding them a high-cholesterol diet for 7 days. Thereafter, they added 0.5% curcumin to the animals diet.

The study result showed that curcumin

  • Reduced serum total cholesterol by 21%
  • Reduced serum LDL cholesterol by 42.5%
  • Increased serum HDL cholesterol by 50%

The researchers confirmed that curcumin is the turmeric phytochemical responsible for reducing cholesterol levels. Also, they determined that curcumin reduced lipid levels by interfering with the absorption, metabolism, and excretion of cholesterol rather than by antioxidant mechanisms.

A much earlier study published in the Journal of Nutrition in 1970 reached similar conclusions.

In that study, the researchers demonstrated that curcumin lowered serum and liver cholesterol by 33% – 50% in a group of rats induced with hypercholesterolemia.

The researchers determined that the cholesterol-lowering effect of curcumin was caused by the increased fecal excretion of bile acids and cholesterol.

Does Turmeric Lower Blood Pressure Dosage And Safety Tips

Disclaimer: Results are not guaranteed*** and may vary from person to person***.

Does turmeric lower blood pressure? This question has been the focus of many research studies, as turmeric contains the antioxidant agent known as curcumin. Found in the roots of the turmeric plant, curcumin is a chemical compound and herbal remedy that has been used for centuries in Asian cultures. The healing effect of turmeric and curcumin on high blood pressure, or hypertension, has been documented, although researchers have not yet found a direct link to lowering blood pressure.

Not to be confused with the Javanese turmeric root , which also comes from the ginger family, the turmeric plant offers a pungent, bitter taste that is commonly used as a spice to flavor Chinese and Indian dishes, as well as to treat infections, wounds, colds, and indigestion. A popular way to use the plant is to place its powdered roots in boiling water for turmeric tea benefits.

In terms of blood pressure, turmeric has been shown to indirectly reduce inflammation of blood vessels, hinder clotting of the blood, and lower cholesterol levels.

In This Article:

How Turmeric Could Potentially Manage Blood Pressure

1. Relaxes Blood Vessels

The curcumin in turmeric has been shown in clinical trials to help prevent the narrowing of blood vessels, which can increase blood pressure. This effect is seen with the use of isolated turmerone as well as turmeric oil fraction.

2. Blood-Thinning Properties

9. Keeps the Body Warm

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How To Ensure Turmeric Quality

Some turmeric powders contain cheap fillers not mentioned on the labels.

These adulterated powders are difficult to identify without a chemical analysis. Your best bet is to choose turmeric that has been certified by a reputable agency.

For instance, you could look for turmeric that has been certified organic by the US Department of Agriculture .

If you are taking turmeric or curcumin supplements, select supplements that have a quality certification by a third party. Several companies provide quality certifications for supplement manufacturers.

These include NSF International, Informed Choice and the US Pharmacopeial Convention . Look for their seal on the packaging of products, or go to their websites to see what supplements theyve certified.

Summary:

Buy your turmeric and curcumin supplements from trustworthy suppliers and choose products that are certified by a reputable third party.

Why Turmeric Helps Lower Blood Pressure And How To Use It

6 Reasons Why Turmeric is Good for High Blood Pressure

The force exerted by the flowing blood on the blood vessel walls is referred to as blood pressure. High blood pressure increases the risk of developing heart failure, coronary artery disease, kidney failure and stroke. Approximately 1 in every 3 adults in the USA suffers from HBP. Your physician may prescribe medicines to control your blood pressure in association with performing regular exercise and eating a healthy diet. Certain supplements and herbs such as turmeric may also help in managing blood pressure.

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Curcumin And Ldl Receptors

A 2006 study published in the Journal of Nutritional Biochemistry investigated the effects of curcumin on the human liver cell line.

This in vitro study was designed to closely investigate the mechanisms by which curcumin reduced cholesterol levels. The researchers demonstrated that the effect of curcumin on cholesterol metabolism extends deep to the genetic levels.

This finding shows that curcumin increases the uptake of cholesterol by the liver and its removal from the plasma. By increasing the population of LDL receptors in the liver, curcumin accelerates the breakdown of LDL cholesterol.

Besides the LDL receptors, the study also showed that curcumin increases the population of other receptors, such as liver X receptor and retinoic acid receptor, involved in lipid breakdown.

The researchers also affirmed that curcumin was not toxic to liver cells and that these cholesterol-lowering mechanisms were triggered at low doses easily attained by oral turmeric supplementation.

Turmeric And Blood Pressure

Weve seen research emerge suggesting that turmeric can help treat a broad spectrum of medical conditions. From aiding weight loss in people with metabolic disorders to treating arthritis and joint pain, it appears that curcumin can benefit almost any ailment. Turmeric can even be used as a blood thinner or as a natural supplement for liver detox.

Recently, turmeric has shown an ability to modulate blood pressure and assist the cardiovascular system under certain conditions. If youre dealing with high blood pressure , curcumin may be a natural means to manage it.

Before we get into the studies, lets explore hypertension in a bit more detail.

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Turmeric Helps In Acute Coronary Syndrome

The acute coronary syndrome refers to a condition of heart problems and chest pain due to obstructed blood flow to the heart due to cholesterol-clogged arteries.

In 1996, PB Godkar et al studied the ability of turmeric to aid this hypercholesterolemia condition in an animal model.

Through their experiment, they observed a 10% improvement in turmeric extract treated subjects when compared to their control group.

A similar study in an animal model was published in the Journal of Atherosclerosis in 1999 where oral administration of curcumin at low concentrations aiding the management on LDL lipid peroxidation thus preventing its build up.

This was followed up by human studies addressing turmerics healing abilities for the same.

Doctors in Jakarta administered curcumin to acute coronary syndrome patients and evaluated their lipid levels.

They found that the compound had positive effects even when provided to patients at low concentrations.

By analyzing parameters such as body mass index, waist circumference, and blood pressure, it was observed that curcumin effectively lowered LDL and up-regulated HDL activity in a dose-dependent manner.

What does this mean?

The extracts and curcumin obtained from turmeric possess anti atherogenic properties i.e. they act against plaque build-up in the arteries. They monitor damage enabling turmeric useful in acute coronary syndrome therapy.

Does Turmeric Lower Blood Pressure

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Based on results in traditional Ayurvedic and Chinese medicine and scientific trials, turmeric has the potential to lower high blood pressure in some cases.

As with any treatment, the effects of turmeric on high blood pressure will vary from individual to individual, and depend on the presence of an existing medical condition.

A stable blood pressure relies on the proper function of the blood vessels and the circulatory system, both of which can be hindered by cardiovascular risk factors. Curcumin, the active compound in turmeric, appears to have multiple cardio-protective benefits.

Turmeric in pure form or combined with other healthy herbs may be one of the most natural treatments, and possible prevention tools, in the battle against high blood pressure.

However, any turmeric use should be discussed with your physician to prevent any potential allergic reactions or medication counteractions.

Article Sources

Scientific ReportsDiabetes CareExperimental GerontologyNutrition Journal

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Turmeric And Blood Pressure: How Do They Relate

Individuals suffering from kidney disease can often benefit from short-term use of an oral supplement of turmeric to help decrease their blood pressure. There are a number of animal studies that state that curcumin can help to inhibit protein action and prevent damage to the heart cells from high blood pressure. Turmeric can also help to prevent plaque from forming in your arteries and reduce your cholesterol levels. This can help you maintain your current blood pressure. Turmeric extract has also proven beneficial in dilating and relaxing the blood vessels in animals, which means it could do the same for people struggling with heart problems.

Eat More Foods High In Magnesium

A small study in the International Journal of Hypertension found magnesium supplementation can reduce blood pressure in small amountsNguyen H, Odelola OA, Rangaswami J, Amanullah A. A Review of Nutritional Factors in Hypertension Management. International Journal of Hypertension. 2013 698940. . Talk to your doctor before taking magnesium supplements, especially if you have kidney disease. You can also safely incorporate high-magnesium foods into your diet. Dr. Desai recommends foods like leafy green vegetables and unsalted almonds.

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Easy Ways To Consume More Garlic And Turmeric

Many who begin to incorporate more herbs and spices in their diet find that they need less of the unhealthy ingredients, such as sugar or salt, to boost the flavor of food. Some such herbs and spices, like garlic or turmeric, may also provide even more benefits when combined in a meal. There are a number of easy ways to get started with incorporating more garlic and turmeric in a diet. A few suggestions include:

  • Start the day right. Create a turmeric paste with ground turmeric, cinnamon, extra virgin coconut oil and black pepper. Use the mix in a healthy golden milk latte when your body craves a pick-me-up. The pepper boosts absorption and the healthy fat is also useful for absorption of certain key vitamins. Those who want to start simpler can make a tea using a pinch of turmeric with lemon.
  • Turmeric can be added to almost any savory meal. However, start with smaller amounts to see how it complements a specific meal and individual palate. Try starting with a mere eighth of a teaspoon . Add it to scrambled eggs, roasted chickpeas or soups. This makes it easy to eat for breakfast, a healthy lunch or a quick snack.
  • Raw garlic. Those who cannot stomach the idea of chomping on cloves can add raw garlic into homemade salsa, a vinaigrette, or to mashed potatoes for additional flavor. Garlic also complements many common Italian dishes with a tomato base.

Curcumin Improves Vascular Function

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Several recent scientific studies are indicative of the positive effects of turmeric on blood flow regulation.

Earlier this year, Jessica R. Santos-Parker and colleagues attempted to determine how curcumin administration could improve endothelial function in arteries.

Through investigating various parameters such as artery stiffness and circulating biomarkers of oxidative stress and inflammation, it was seen that curcumin supplementation helps regulate relaxation and constriction of artery walls systematically by bringing about increased nitric oxide bioavailability.

This, in turn, allows unhindered blood flow and smooth vascular functionality.

What does this mean?Turmeric is rich in antioxidant compounds like curcumin that prevent and reverse damage to cells by obliterating harmful free radicals. These compounds also regulate cell signals and thus are believed to be responsible for the complexâs vascular protecting abilities.

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Turmeric & High Blood Pressure: Does Curcumin Help Hypertension

Turmeric has become a household name. Not just for its role as the primary spice in well-known dishes such as curry, but as a powerful medicinal herb with healing properties and very few side effects.

Within turmeric is a potent anti-inflammatory agent called curcumin. These curcuminoids are the subject of numerous clinical studies in recent decades. But, can turmeric lower blood pressure and reduce hypertension?

Where Can You Find Turmeric

You can generally find turmeric in the spice aisle of your local grocery store. Additionally, its available as a supplement powder and in capsules, tablets, teas and extracts. Turmeric, when taken orally or applied to the skin, is considered safe for health purposes.

Taking turmeric with black pepper enhances absorption. Before taking turmeric or changing your diet, we recommend reaching out to a doctor. Visit mercy.com to find a physician near you today.

For other ways to fuel your health, check out foods full of heart-healthy fats. As always, you should consult your doctor before making any major changes to your diet. Visit mercy.com or call 513-952-5000 to find a doctor near you today.

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