This “tiny seed secret” provides the perfect amount of blood pressure protection
If you’re 65 years of age or older, in good health, and have a low systolic blood pressure (that’s the upper number) of about 130, you should be taking a minimum of two blood pressure (BP) drugs.
Wait… Does that sound right to you?
The answer, of course, is NO—that’s completely bonkers!
And yet, according to the latest blood pressure guidelines from the American Heart Association (AHA) and the American College of Cardiology (ACC), if you meet those criteria, you’re in the automatic medication zone.
And recommended medication, they say, should begin with a minimum of two BP drugs.
I know the medical mainstream is a river of pills due to rampant overmedication, but even for hardcore mainstreamers, this BP guideline is wildly unnecessary and borderline irresponsible.
But if you want a better way to be proactive with your blood pressure management without loading up on prescription pills, you’re in luck…
The “unacceptable risks” of low blood pressure
Even if your doctor is the type to follow conventional guidelines from the likes of the AHA and the ACC, they should at least recognize the dangers of aggressively pushing for lower blood pressure.
In Dr. Fred Pescatore’s Ultimate Heart-Protection Protocol, he notes that the new BP guidelines (which designate the high end of “normal” blood pressure as 120 over 80 mmHg) rely heavily on the results of the National Institutes of Health’s SPRINT trial.
He bluntly describes SPRINT as “incredibly flawed,” partly because it proposed that all patients aim for systolic blood pressure below 120—no matter how many drugs it takes to get there.
In Dr. Pescatore’s view, this is simply reckless—especially for older people.
He points to a recent Irish study where falls and blackouts were five times higher in patients with systolic pressure below 120. In addition, sudden drops in blood pressure upon standing nearly doubled.
“These are hardly acceptable risks,” he says. “Especially considering that studies larger than SPRINT show no significant differences in cardiovascular events and mortality rates with systolic pressures below 120.”
Dr. Pescatore points out three red-flag risks in using aggressive treatment to maintain 120 systolic:
- Dangerously low blood pressure
- Electrolyte imbalance
- Elevated creatinine (a chemical waste product)
And all of these risks pave the way to kidney damage and cardiovascular hazards.
A tiny seed delivers big benefits
Cardiovascular health all boils down to one key issue: blood flow.
If your blood has trouble making its way through your body, it can cause a world of complications.
But as Dr. Pescatore notes, one tiny little seed offers huge blood pressure benefits to help make everything “go with the flow”—quite literally.
I’m talking about flaxseed—a rich source of alpha-linoleic acid (ALA), which is converted to two major omega-3 fatty acids in your body: EPA and DHA. Dr. Pescatore admits that he’s been hesitant to recommend flaxseed in the past, because taking fish oil is a much more efficient way to get the right amounts of EPA and DHA.
But a recent review of multiple clinical trials changed his mind…
In this research analysis, scientists found that supplementing the diet with flaxseed for at least three months results in an impressive drop in systolic blood pressure (3.1) and diastolic (2.6).
Dr. Pescatore explains, “While those numbers may seem relatively small, a little drop in blood pressure goes a long way. In fact, a 2 to 3 point reduction in blood pressure reduces the risk of dying from a heart attack or stroke by 22 percent.
“And remember, this study averaged the results from multiple clinical trials. In some individual studies, the drop in blood pressure after starting supplementation with flaxseed is much more pronounced.”
For example, he cites a study of older adults with high blood pressure in which systolic blood pressure dropped from a dangerously high 155 to a far-healthier (but not too low) 140.
That’s a full 15 points! And it’s all due to flaxseed.
Helping your heart in multiple ways
Researchers haven’t yet unraveled the secret behind flaxseed’s effectiveness, but Dr. Pescatore points to two possibilities in its makeup:
- SDG, the primary lignin (plant polyphenol) in flaxseed, has been shown to improve blood flow and blood pressure.
- KC1-F1, a protein fraction in flaxseed, contains arginine (an amino acid) that promotes healthy blood flow.
Dr. Pescatore notes that what we do currently know for certain, is that flaxseed has a role in regulating blood pressure either equal to or greater than many blood pressure medications—but without the potentially deadly side effects.
Plus, new research shows that it promotes several additional cardiovascular benefits, including:
- Lowering cholesterol
- Preventing arrhythmia (irregular heartbeat that can trigger heart attack and stroke)
- Slowing the growth of artery-clogging plaque
Based on all of this research, Dr. Pescatore recommends adding one tablespoon of ground flaxseed to your daily regimen—especially if you have high blood pressure.
He says, “You can sprinkle nutty, crunchy ground flaxseed over berries, mix it into smoothies, sprinkle it over cooked vegetables, or add it to whole grain cereals, salad dressings and salads.”
Taking care of your heart never sounded so tasty!
If you’re looking for powerful yet practical natural ways to protect your heart, look no further than the effective, evidence-based interventions in Dr. Pescatore’s Ultimate Heart-Protection Protocol.
To learn more about this unique online learning tool, or to get started right away, just click here.
SOURCES
“Experts recommend lower blood pressure for older Americans” American Heart Association News, 11/15/17. (news.heart.org/experts-recommend-lower-blood-pressure-older-americans/)