Lower Blood Pressure with Vegetable Proteins
You don’t have to follow a vegetarian diet to lower blood pressure, but there is solid evidence that vegetable proteins will lower blood pressure.
A recent study compared dietary intake of the vegetable protein glutamic acid and blood pressure. The diet study showed a higher intake of glutamic acid linked to a 1.5 to 3 mm Hg decrease in systolic blood pressure (top number) and 1.0 to 1.6 mm Hg decrease in diastolic blood pressure (bottom number). Now, I know this slight decrease may seem like nothing, but according to researcher Dr. Jeremiah Stamler, a small reduction can cut stroke and heart disease deaths by 4 percent.
This doesn’t mean running out and buying glutamic acid supplements will lower your blood pressure. Fortunately, glutamic acid is a common protein and not difficult to include as a regular part of your diet. Use this latest research as added incentive to eat more vegetable protein sources everyday.
Good vegetarian protein sources include:
• Beans (soybeans, kidney, black, navy beans, etc.) (3/4 cup – 11 grams protein)
• Lentils ( 3/4 cup = 13 grams protein)
• Tofu, tempeh and other soy protein products (150 grams or 1/3 brick firm tofu – 21 grams protein)
• Vegetarian meat substitutes like burgers and deli slices (1 soy patty – 18 grams protein)
• Vegetable patty (18 grams protein)
• Peanut butter and other nut butters (2 Tbsp. – 7 grams protein)
• Nuts and seeds (¼ cup – 8 grams protein)
• Eggs (1 large – 6 grams protein)
• Hummus (1/2 cup – 8 grams protein)
This is another study that supports the DASH diet at effectively lowering blood pressure. The DASH diet is rich in fruits, vegetables, and low fat dairy. Here is a link where you can learn more about the DASH diet – Lowering Blood Pressure Through Diet.
Is there a vegetable pill you can take, because I am not real big on vegetables.
Hi Charlene, I actually take and recommend Juice Plus to boost fruit/vegetable intake. Doesn't mean you don't have to eat fruits and vegetables, but it is a good option to get the nutrients from a wide variety everyday. You can learn more here – http://www.juiceplus.com/+ln24388. Some people claim to physically feel better after a few months of supplementing Juice Plus, but I do not notice any change. Did a "test" with mom (and you know how she eats!), but after 4 months she didn't feel physically different either. Regardless (it's rare to "feel" prevention) Juice Plus is a great option, not pricey, and backed by sound research. FYI – The Garden Blend (vegetable pill) is not sold by itself. Only in combination with the Orchard Blend (fruit pill).~ Lisa
Hopefully, this won't always lower a bp- or I'm going to have to give up vegetables. Is there healthy food aside from lowering a blood pressure? What if it is already dangerously low?
Hi Jill,If you are dealing with a dangerously low blood pressure I recommend working with your physician to learn "why" so you better know how to treat the condition. Here's a link to information on low blood pressure – http://www.healthcentral.com/encyclopedia/408/74.html – I'm not sure if it applies to you.All the best,Lisa
It is FROM the doctor. All the meds to slow down the heart, also lower the bp. Having never had high blood pressure, having to take those meds to decrease the workload on my heart. So to have a reasonable rate, to preserve my heart, I have to deal with super low pressures. Every now and then we tweak the meds, but it takes that much to manage the rhythms. I didn't take them one day last week, because my pressure was so low… then at work… my rate was 150 at a baseline and having bursts into the 220s. I'll look at the info though. Thanks. Is it different from the heart probs you generally work with?
Yes, your condition is not the typical problem I deal with which means I'm not able to offer input off the top of my head! All the best getting your situation under control. ~Lisa
We have some people who have to come to my work.. to get the medicine to raise their bp high enough to protect their kidneys. If their heart isn't good enough to pump all the way to the kidneys…. then they will not be eligible for a heart transplant if the kidneys are destroyed. To get a new heart, you can not have other organs damaged. We have had people there getting daily labs drawn and telemetry monitored for nearly a year while they wait for the right heart to come available to save their life. Dopamine, dobutamine, or milnarone are only available is serious IV infusions, but it can be done.
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