Many people can't lose the necessary weight by exercising

and reducing stress. Quitting smoking doesn't help normalize

their blood pressure low enough long-term either because of

damage caused to arteries and blood vessels. Why is this? As

you grow older, your arteries will also harden and become

less elastic so your blood pressure will go up because your

heart has to work harder to pump blood around the body. This

occurs in all people, regardless of your lifestyle - good or

bad.

Prescription drugs on the market work, but they don't work

on everybody and sometimes have dangerous and unpleasant

side effects. But there are complementary remedies believed

to be effective in helping reduce high blood pressure when

all else seems not to be working, which we'll discuss now.

What is L-Arginine and Nitric Oxide?

In 1998, a team of American scientists won the Nobel Prize

in Medicine for their discovery of the amino acid called

L-Arginine and the Nitric oxide pathway. Over 35,000

articles have been published on the importance of the nitric

oxide pathway and the amazing influence of L-Arginine on

this pathway.

L-Arginine is the precursor to a nitric oxide, which is an

important signaling molecule in the body. It is a

conditionally non-essential amino acid, meaning most of the

time it can be manufactured by the human body.

However, many people do not produce enough L-Arginine

because of an unhealthy lifestyle caused by damage to

endothelial cells in your arteries due to smoking and being

overweight, illness, a toxic environment or old age.

Production of Nitric Oxide and your overall health can also

be enhanced through regular exercise and a diet focused on

consuming large enough amounts of L-Arginine. Although, it

can be difficult to meet your bodies total Nitric Oxide

requirement through diet alone - so supplements are

recommended to assure optimum daily intake.

How Can Nitric Oxide Works to Lower High Blood Pressure?

L-Arginine is converted into the gas nitric oxide, which

causes blood vessel relaxation (vasodilation). Nitric oxide

helps to promote optimal blood flow throughout the body -

research and on-going trials on this amino acid found in our

bodies, suggest it can help reduce high blood pressure.

Nitric oxide plays a large role in regulating the tone of

blood vessels. More nitric oxide causes blood vessels to

relax and dilate, allowing more blood to flow through, which

lowers blood pressure because your heart will not have to

pump as hard.

How Else Can Your Body Cardiovascular Benefit From Nitric

Oxide?

Evidence suggests that L-Arginine may also help treat

medical conditions that improve with vasodilation, such as

chest pain, clogged arteries (called atherosclerosis),

coronary artery disease, erectile dysfunction, heart

failure, intermittent claudication/peripheral vascular

disease, and blood vessel swelling that causes headaches

(vascular headaches). L-Arginine also triggers the body to

make protein and has been studied for wound healing,

bodybuilding, enhancement of sperm production

(spermatogenesis), and prevention of wasting in people with

critical illnesses.

Atherosclerosis (ath-er-o-skler-O-sis) is a disease in which

plaque (plak) builds up on the insides of your arteries, it

damages to the endothelium, which causes a decline in Nitric

Oxide. Over time, plaque hardens and narrows your arteries.

The flow of oxygen-rich blood to your organs and other parts

of your body is reduced. You may be able to prevent or delay

atherosclerosis and the diseases it can cause, mainly by

maintaining a healthy lifestyle and L-Arginine

supplementation.

Similarly a heart attack is caused by an area of plaque that

can rupture, causing a blood clot to form on the surface of

the plaque. If the clot becomes large enough, it can mostly

or completely block the flow of oxygen-rich blood to the

part of the heart muscle fed by the artery. By taking the

steps to lower blood pressure and cholesterol and improve

circulation, nitric oxide can help reduce the risk against a

heart attack.

A stroke happens when blood flow to your brain stops. Within

minutes, brain cells begin to die. The most common kind, is

called an ischemic stroke, it is caused by a blood clot that

blocks or plugs a blood vessel in the brain. Again when

normal production of nitric oxide is reduced within vessel

walls, you are much more prone to clotting and strokes.

How Much is a Safe Dose?

Individuals should always consult their doctor before taking

any supplements; he or she knows your medical history better

than anyone. This is important especially if you have any

pre-existing conditions and currently take prescription

drugs. L-Arginine has been found to be a safe amino acid

based on scientific research and expert opinion. 5 grams per

day is a recommended standard dose without worry of any

adverse side effects. If you take more than your body needs

or wants, your body will eliminate the excess. In some

cases, taking more than you need can cause diarrhea. If this

occurs, reduce the amount.

What Do You Look For in an L-Arginine Product?

There are many manufacturers of L-Arginine in supplement

form, but all brands are not created equal! One important

benefit of the product is that it should be a liquid to

enable optimum absorption - to allow it to go in quickly,

allows less toxicity, and more assurance it's getting in. It

should also contain L-Citrulline, which enables L-Arginine

when converted into Nitric Oxide to sustain its activity

over a longer period of time. No artificial, sweeteners or

colors, just all natural and all good!

Other supplements you can take on a daily basis that can

enhance your cardiovascular health are antioxidants such as

omega oils from plant sources (Perilla), and a

multi-vitamin.

In conclusion, there are options available today and

research is taking place all the time to discover new ways

to combat hypertension. Don't despair it is possible to

help reduce and control your high blood pressure so you can

live a longer, happier and healthier life.

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