Causes and Risk Factors
Although the cause of high blood pressure is often unknown, in some cases it results from an underlying condition such as high cholesterol, kidney disease, congenital blood vessel defects, adrenal gland tumors or certain medications that include birth control pills, cold medicines and pain relievers. Risk factors for hypertension include being older or, for women, post-menopausal. Being African-American, overweight or obese, leading a sedentary lifestyle, smoking cigarettes, eating a high-salt diet or one that is deficient in potassium or vitamin D, or having lots of stress in your life may also raise your risk for hypertension.http://www.ebiochem.com/
Celery Seed
After flowering, the celery plant produces tan-colored seeds that are very small and have a distinct odor. Celery seeds have been part of traditional Indian medicine, or Ayurveda, for thousands of years. Herbal practitioners recommend celery seed to treat colds, influenza, arthritis, digestive problems, liver disease, and fluid retention. The seeds contain several natural compounds that include volatile oils, flavonoids, coumarins and some fatty acids. These natural chemicals have properties that make them potentially useful in lowering blood pressure.http://www.ebiochem.com/
Properties
Flavonoids in celery seed are antioxidants that help rid your body of free radicals, metabolic byproducts that may harm your cells, while coumarins in celery seed are natural blood thinning agents that help prevent clotting of your blood. Blood clots may contribute to stiffening of your arterial walls, increasing the likelihood of high blood pressure. Celery seed is also a natural diuretic that increases your output of urine, lowering your blood volume and, as a result, your blood pressure. Finally, celery seed may also lower your blood cholesterol, as suggested by a laboratory study published in “Planta Medica” in 1995. Researchers found that laboratory animals fed celery seed extract had lowered cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein levels that a placebo-fed group. These findings are promising, although clinical trials of celery seed with human subjects are still needed.http://www.ebiochem.com/
Recommendations
Celery seed extract is available from most health food stores as a liquid extract or in capsules or tablets. It is generally considered safe and without side effects, although some people may be allergic to celery. Do not consume celery seed extract if you are pregnant since it may contribute to miscarriage, and avoid the herb if you have kidney disease. Talk to your doctor about celery seed before adding it to your regimen.http://www.ebiochem.com/