H
ealthy blood flow is key to
conquering high blood pressure.
And a new study in the March 2000
issue of the Journal of the American College
of Cardiologyhas found that people with
chronic heart failure benefit greatly from the
combination ofL-arginineand exercise.
This latest study supports the use of L-
arginine, an important element found in
Whitewing Labs’ Pressure Control,in
™
many heart-related conditions including
angina pectoris, atherosclerosis, high
cholesterol and blood pressure, and for
overall circulatory health.
Amazing Amino Acid
T
he key seems to be that L-arginine
stimulates the body’s production of
nitric oxide which, in turn, stimulates
vasodilation and promotes healthy blood
fluidity. L-arginine is also thought to inhibit
platelet aggregation, adhesion of
macrophages to the inner lining of the
arteries, and formation of free radicals.
The combination of L-arginine and a
proper exercise program appears to help
improve the abnormal function of blood
vessels that is seen in congestive heart
failure (CHF), a condition characterized by
an enlarged heart that pumps blood
inefficiently, resulting in breathlessness and
fluid accumulation in the limbs and lungs.
People with heart failure often have blood
vessels that fail to dilate in response to
certain drugs, a sign that inner blood vessel
walls are malfunctioning.
In the most recent study, 40 heart failure
patients were assigned to one of four
treatment groups. Patients either continued
their usual treatment, took L-arginine,
performed forearm exercises, or performed
the exercises in conjunction with L-arginine
treatment. Patients treated with L-arginine
had a fourfold increase in blood vessel
dilation, from 2.2 percent to 8.8 percent.
Regular forearm exercises increased the
dilation response by the same amount.
However, the combination of L-arginine
and exercise training resulted in an even
greater response, with an improvement
from 2.9 percent to 12 percent.
The study is the first clinical trial to
show that exercising and taking L-arginine
improves blood vessel dilation more than
either factor alone. The results suggest the
combination may improve blood vessel
functioning in patients with chronic heart
failure and thereby enhance their exercise
capacity beyond what can be done by
improving their heart function alone.
L-arginine is normally present in the
Western diet but in small quantities that are
insufficient for people with poor circulation.
Also many supplements incorrectly
supply D-arginine which is useless for
supporting circulatory health. That’s why
dietary supplements such as Pressure
Controlthat supply the body with the correct
L-arginine form, can be so helpful in helping
the body to maintain normal blood flow.
Complete Formula
A
nother very important nutrient for
healthy blood flow is co-enzyme
Q10 (CoQ10).
Levels of this energy
co-factor are often lower among patients
with congestive heart failure, hypertension
and angina than among subjects without
cardiovascular disease. Clinical studies have
further shown CoQ10 is invaluable in
helping to improve circulatory health,
presumably by improving energy
production within the heart.
Magnesiumis known to have relaxing
and antispasmodic effects on the blood
vessels, which may reduce angina,
cardiovascular spasms and cardiac
arrhythmias. Epidemiological studies have
noted a correlation between low magnesium
levels and cardiovascular-related deaths.
Because of magnesium’s ability to
relieve vascular spasms, many hospitals now
use intravenous magnesium preparations for
patients suffering acute myocardial
infarction or severe angina. Magnesium also
appears to improve high-density to low-
density lipoprotein ratios, as well as reduce
platelet aggregation.
Hawthornhas long been used as a
heart tonic for both hypertension and
hypotension, and modern studies show
hawthorn may help normalize cholesterol
levels, blood pressure, angina and arterial
function. Hawthorn is thought to act both
as a natural calcium channel blocker and as
an ACE inhibitor, serving both to lower
blood pressure and strengthen heart-muscle
function. ACE, short for angiotensin
converting enzyme, refers to an enzyme
involved in synthesizing the hormone
aldosterone. Aldosterone causes the
kidneys to retain sodium and elevate blood
pressure. Therefore, drugs that inhibit ACE
may prevent aldosterone-induced sodium
retention and blood pressure elevation.
The Doctor’s Recommendation
T
he following guidelines can help
patients to normalize their blood
pressure:
¤
Reduce total fat intake and favor flax and
olive oils over animal fats.
¤
Reduce or eliminate caffeine. Coffee
drinkers tend to have slightly higher blood
pressure than those who don't drink coffee.
¤
Reduce or eliminate alcohol. Regular
alcohol use correlates with elevated blood
pressure.
¤
Reduce or eliminate excess salt.
Excessive salt (sodium chloride)
consumption challenges the kidneys’ ability
to regulate blood pressure.
¤ Increase fiber intake. Water-soluble
fibers such as oat bran, apple pectin and
psyllium may lower both cholesterol and
blood pressure.
¤ Use Pressure
Controland Cholest-
Less, both of which can aid in supporting
circulatory and heart health.
Turn to the order form in this journal to
purchase either of these products and start
improving your health today!.
L-Arginine andExercise:
Great Combination for Heart
HEARTªHEALTH
Page 6
Journal of Natural Health, October
2000
