Diet gun

Blood pressure varies daily for various reasons, such as diet, stress, physical activity.

Blood pressure it can also increase more permanently due to increased age and/or increased body weight and due to taking pharmaceutical treatment with drugs such as anti-inflammatories, psychotic drugs, corticosteroid drugs, etc.

High blood pressure or hypertension is the condition that occurs when the blood pressure on the walls of the arteries becomes too high.

Hypertension is dangerous and is considered a “silent killer”, as there is a high probability that it will appear suddenly and silently without symptoms until the walls of the arteries are damaged due to prolonged high pressure. This can have life-threatening complications such as myocardial infarction or stroke.

The following 5 dietary supplements can raise blood pressure to levels high enough to cause hypertension.

It is wise NOT to consume such supplements if we are predisposed to high blood pressure or heart disease or stroke, but also if we are over 60 years old as it is known that blood pressure always increases naturally as we age.

1. Caffeine

Caffeine, in addition to coffee, is found in many supplements that promise increased energy, better alertness and physical performance because indeed, in certain dosages, it can do all of these things. However, it can increase blood pressure with a…. ¨small dose¨ of up to 2 mmHg and usually its content in energy drinks is much higher than a ¨small dose¨.

2. Guarana

Guarana is found in dietary supplements and energy drinks. It contains caffeine and similar chemicals called theophylline and theobromine.

Guarana stimulates the brain, helping with alertness and energy but significantly increases blood pressure.

3. Yohimbine

Yohimbine is found in supplements that promise weight loss and increased athletic performance.

Yohimbine is a stimulant that increases blood pressure, indirectly (by increasing norepinephrine) causing blood vessels to constrict, as well as the heart rate.

4. Ephedra

Ephedra contains ephedrine. Ephedrine is a powerful stimulant that is used as a drug to prevent low blood pressure. It also causes vasoconstriction, like yohimbine, and has been linked to the creation of high blood pressure, heart attacks and strokes.

5. Ginseng

Ginseng, despite its important health benefits such as its antioxidant capacity, helping to treat inflammation, and helping to prevent abnormal cell proliferation, can worsen existing hypertension, create irregular heart rhythms and can even raise blood pressure, in people without a genetic predisposition to high blood pressure, to higher levels.

6. Arnica

Arnica is an herb used for pain after surgery, insect bites, bruises, muscle aches in the form of pills and cream.

It is mainly found in homeopathic products.

Undissolved Arnica can cause shortness of breath, tachycardia, high blood pressure and heart damage, among other things.

Arnica is NOT safe to use during pregnancy as it can cause miscarriage, and it should NOT be taken during breastfeeding as it can cause hemolytic anemia in the infant.