(16-06-13) High antioxidant diets help lower blood pressure

by Angela Doss

(NaturalNews) If the proverbial apple-a-day seems too antiquated, then perhaps
a change is in order - a handful of fresh, organic blueberries rich in
antioxidant goodness, perhaps? Or maybe some nice pecans? How you get them into
your diet is your business, but researchers at Penn State Hershey Heart and
Vascular Institute now say a diet rich in antioxidants may provide some relief
for the estimated 10 million Americans afflicted with peripheral arterial
disease (PAD), for whom a "cardiovascular event" is a great risk.

PAD is a condition, whose cause conventional medicine has yet to officially
identify, in which reduced blood flow leads both to elevated blood pressure and
leg pain. Past studies have indicated that low antioxidant levels (allowing
chemical products, called reactive oxygen species, to bind to cells and cause
damage) are common in people with severe PAD. But Penn State researchers were
able to build on that data in a recent study involving three different groups
of patients, low-impact exercise, and the administration of vitamin C, an
antioxidant. Though blood pressure levels did not return to those of a normal,
healthy person, the vitamin C did effectively reduce blood pressure spikes for
the PAD patients during exercise. It worked, apparently, because antioxidants
work to prevent reactive oxygen species from causing damage to cells.

"This indicates that during normal, everyday activities such as walking, an
impaired antioxidant system - as well as other factors - plays a role in the
increased blood pressure response to exercise," said Matthe Muller, the study's
lead author who is also a postdoctoral fellow at Penn State College of
Medicine.

Maintain a healthy balance; don't go overboard on antioxidant foods and
supplements
According to the American Heart Association, high blood pressure, or
hypertension, affects 74.5 million Americans over the age of 19. The power of
antioxidants lies in their ability to clean up damage caused to arteries by the
gradual buildup of waste materials in the arterial walls. This buildup poses
several imminent health risks, as it may eventually clog arteries, thereby
forcing the heart to work even harder to pump blood. Over time, antioxidants
can restore the artery to health and elasticity.

But improved cardiovascular health is not the only benefit antioxidants have
to offer. Though they also encourage better metabolic function, reduce
inflammation, promote healthier aging and even contribute to cancer prevention,
for example - antioxidants are hardly the complete answer to improved overall
health.

They certainly guard against the free radicals (from pollution, sun exposure
and even food digestion) that attack cells and DNA by stopping the chain
reaction of their formation, but they will not have the same sweeping effects
on their own as a lifestyle that already includes an appropriate amount of
exercise, drinking plenty of water, and a nutritious diet that aids in the
detoxification of toxic metals and other chemicals from the body. These simple
practices can make a world of difference when it comes to health.

In any case, knowing which foods contain the most antioxidants is important,
whether you're seeking out additional antioxidant support or looking simply to
balance your current intake. A general rule of thumb is that foods rich in
vitamin E, vitamin C, selenium and beta-carotene are good sources of
antioxidants. These include dark green vegetables, certain berries and citrus
fruits as well as whole grains like oatmeal. Following is a list of a few more,
as divided by category.

Vegetables: Spinach, kale, broccoli, artichokes.
Fruits: Acai berries, goji berries, cherries, apples, blueberries,
blackberries, strawberries, raspberries, cranberries, pomegranates, dried
prunes and raisins.
Legumes: Black beans, kidney beans.
Nuts: Pecans, walnuts almonds.

Sources for this article include:

http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2012-11/ps-ame110812.php

http://www.allnewswire.com

http://www.naturalnews.com/036992_antioxidants_best_sources_foods.html

http://www.drlwilson.com/ARTICLES/ANTI-OXIDANTS.htm

http://www.huffingtonpost.com

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