Nutraceuticals and Blood Pressure Control: Results from Clinical Trials and Meta-Analyses

Abstract

Beyond the well-known effects on blood pressure (BP) of the dietary approaches to stop hypertension (DASH) and the Mediterranean diets, a large number of studies has investigated the possible BP lowering effect of different dietary supplements and nutraceuticals, the most part of them being antioxidant agents with a high tolerability and safety profile. In particular relatively large body of evidence support the use of potassium, L-arginine, vitamin C, cocoa flavonoids, beetroot juice, coenzyme Q10, controlled-release melatonin, and aged garlic extract. However there is a need for data about the long-term safety of a large part of the above discussed products. Moreover further clinical research is advisable to identify between the available active nutraceuticals those with the best cost-effectiveness and risk-benefit ratio for a large use in general population with low-added cardiovascular risk related to uncomplicated hypertension.

Effect of lycopene supplementation on cardiovascular parameters and markers of inflammation and oxidation in patients with coronary vascular disease

“…There are a number of recently published clinical trials and metaanalysis data revealing beneficial health effects of lycopene (Cicero & Colletti, 2015;Mahmoodnia, Mohammadi, & Masumi, 2017;Singh & Bagewadi, 2017;van Die et al, 2016). However, only few of them (Graff et al, 2017;Zhu, Gertz, Cai, & Burri, 2016) adequately address the issue of lycopene bioavailability in volunteers.…”

Response surface optimisation of germination conditions to improve the accumulation of bioactive compounds and the antioxidant activity in quinoa

“…Quinoa provides desirable health benefits beyond its excellent nutritional characteristics, as it is a good source of phenolic compounds such as phenolic acids and flavonoids (Repo-Carrasco-Valencia et al, 2010;Abderrahim et al, 2015). These compounds have recognised antioxidant and antiinflammatory activities (Cicero & Colletti, 2015), and hence, quinoa consumption may contribute to reduce the incidence of chronic diseases.…”

Treatment of Hypertension with Nutrition and Nutraceutical Supplements: Part 2

“…36 Lycopene Lycopene consumption produces a significant reduction in BP, serum lipids, and oxidative stress markers. [1][2][3][4][40][41][42][43][44][45][46][47][48][49][50][51][52][53][54][55] Dietary sources include grapefruit, watermelon, tomatoes, guava, pink apricots, and papaya. [1][2][3][4][40][41][42][43][44][45][46][47][48][49][50][51][52][53][54][55] In patients with grade I hypertension, a tomato lycopene extract (10 mg lycopene/day) for two months lowered BP by 9/7 mmHg (P < 0.01).…”

“…[1][2][3][4][40][41][42][43][44][45][46][47][48][56][57][58][59][60][61][62][63][64][65][66][67][68][69][70][71][72][73] CoQ10 increases eNOS and NO and improves endothelial function and vascular elasticity. [1][2][3][4][40][41][42][43][44][45][46][47][48]65,66 CoQ10 serum levels decrease with age, chronic disease, oxidative stress, dyslipidemia, coronary heart disease (CHD), hypertension, diabetes mellitus (DM), statin and beta-blocker use, exercise, and atherosclerosis. [1][2][3][4]…”

“…[1][2][3][4][40][41][42][43][44][45][46][47][48]65,66 CoQ10 serum levels decrease with age, chronic disease, oxidative stress, dyslipidemia, coronary heart disease (CHD), hypertension, diabetes mellitus (DM), statin and beta-blocker use, exercise, and atherosclerosis. [1][2][3][4][40][41][42][43][44][45][46][47][48]65,66,71 Compared to normotensive patients, essential hypertensive patients have a higher incidence of CoQ10 serum deficiency (39% vs. 6% of controls). [1][2][3][4]59,68,71 In a 12-week randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of subjects with isolated systolic hypertension (165/81-82 mmHg), CoQ10 administered orally at 60 mg b.i.d.…”