A reader writes: So, taking magnesium can help lower my blood pressure and help my bones. Can I take the other supplements recommended as well and will any of these have problems with my low dose generic Zoloft?
Vitamins and minerals and essential fatty acids will not interfere with the vast majority of all medications, and certainly not with Zoloft. For high blood pressure (although I think the present ‘standard’ of trying to get the blood pressure near 120/80 is not based on good science), potent doses of a multivitamin that includes vitamin C, E, B1, B6 and minerals calcium, magnesium (already mentioned), manganese and zinc are also important. The magnesium level needs to be in the 800 to 1000 mg per day range.
I would also add at least 120 mg of Co-enzyme Q10 and 1000 mg of Hawthorne berry daily. Within 1 month, most people can start to wean off one of their blood pressure medications. Follow your blood pressure as you wean off the medication(s).
Because of the intense interest and amount of misinformation that is so prevalent, I am working on a comprehensive review, with full recommendations to come out in January. If the interest is there, I will also release a packet with those 3 items, and perhaps a broader packet that includes those 3 items and also Taurine, alpha-lipoic acid and L-Arginine. Each of these items have good research support for reducing blood pressures.
My doctor says I can get all the vitamins and minerals I need from my food. What is your opinion on this?
I used to say the same thing to my patients, back in the days before I studied healthy alternatives. It is the party line of allopathic medicine, although that is starting to change. Here's the bottom line, and I'll follow up with some info on what allopaths are now doing:
7 responses so far ↓
1 maxine lowry // Dec 21, 2009 at 10:11 am
doctor,
my blood pressure (top number) WILL RUN HIGH(125-155). I CALL IT THE YO-YO BP) BUT THE BOTTOM NUMBER IS ALWAYS LOW (55-58). MY QUESTION IS THE BOTTOM NUMBER TOO LOW? MAXINE
2 Alfred Blue // Dec 21, 2009 at 12:24 pm
I will wait, not entirely with patience, until your new article about blood pressure appears in January. It is so refreshing to find an MD that thinks ahead and engages his patients instead of merely accepting the status quo.
3 Mickie Johnson // Dec 21, 2009 at 12:41 pm
I would definitely be interested in a packet for high blood pressure.
4 Dave, RN // Dec 21, 2009 at 1:29 pm
My B/P used to be in the 135/95 range for 20 years. Once I went paleo with my diet and stopped eating grains, It dropped to around 108/66. Grains have elements that inhibit the elasticity of our arteries. While supplements have their place, nothing takes the place of eating right.
5 Joyce // Dec 21, 2009 at 8:24 pm
I can hardly wait. I’ve struggled with elevated B/P for years and find that meds are not the answer. Kindly keep me informed.
6 J. K. // Dec 22, 2009 at 11:57 pm
Thank you Dr. Gardner for answering my question. This is info. I’ve never heard and I’m anxious to see if I can get needed results with out the horrible side effects of my diuretic.
7 denise // Feb 2, 2010 at 10:26 am
I see this is concentrated on b.p, however I have a question about potassium supplementation. My husbands urologist gave him a script for potassium, to help with the acidity in his bladder? He was (no indication of it happening now) creating stones in his bladder. We took him of the cholesterol meds and bp meds. Supplementing with other things. The urologist suggested that low potassium can cause these stones so he gave him a prescription for potassi, but I have read that you must have magnesium and zinc with the potassium which he never mentioned, as well as no blood test was taken to determine his potassium level. Can you tell me if there is a better way to supplement with potassum including the necessary supporting supplements? Thanks for providing this option.
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