His discovery began as a study into the genetics of a small, isolated Caribbean Indian tribe in which hypertension was virtually nonexistent. He quickly found that their resistance was not genetic, as tribe members who had integrated themselves into other societies no longer had the same resistance to high blood pressure. Hollenberg decided to study the lifestyle of the Kuna tribe, “The most outstanding finding was the fact that most them consume cocoa as their major drink and do so every day,” according to Hollenberg, “Many Kuna, in that hot and humid climate, probably drink more than five cups per day.” (Cromie)

Research into Kuna cocoa reveled that it is much higher in flavanols than other more processed cocoas. Hollenberg believes that flavanols activate the positive production of nitric oxide in the body which, as part of the body’s regulatory system, improves the flow of blood and oxygen to major organs including the heart. Flavanols are also found in red wine and may play a role in the beverage’s ability to lower the risk of heart disease. (Cromie)

A study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association investigated the effects consuming a small amount of commercially available dark chocolate, which contained flavanols, on blood pressure. For 18 weeks 22 people who had either normal blood pressure or were pre-hypertensive, ate dark chocolate with flavanols and 22 similar individuals ate white chocolate without flavanols. The portions were only about 6 grams daily. At the end of the period, those who ate the dark chocolate showed a 2.9 mmHg drop for the systolic or top number and 1.9 mmHg for the diastolic. There were no negative effects on weight or cholesterol, and those who ate the white chocolate showed no change in their blood pressure. Cocoa flavanols were actually found in the bloodstream of those who ate the dark chocolate. (American Heart Association)

According to authors of the study, “adoption of small amounts of flavanol-rich cocoa into the habitual diet is a dietary modification that is easy to adhere to and may be a promising behavioral approach to lower blood pressure in individuals with above-optimal blood pressure.”(American Heart Association)

Sources:

Cromie, William J. “Cocoa shows promise as next wonder drug”. February 22, 2007. Harvard University Gazette. Retrieved September 11, 2008 from http://www.news.harvard.edu/gazette/2007/02.22/01-cocoa.html.

“Effects of Low Habitual Cocoa Intake on Blood Pressure and Bioactive Nitric Oxide”. July 4, 2007. American Heart Association. Retrieved September 15, 2008 from http://www.americanheart.org/presenter.jhtml?identifier=3050004.

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After researching literally thousands of information sources I discovered that blood pressure is simply the amount of pressure (like pounds per square inch) it takes for the heart to push blood through your blood vessels into your body, and how much pressure it takes to suck it back. Systolic being the first and diastolic being the second.

Researchers say that 120 (systolic) / (over) 80 (diastolic) is “normal”. However, I have found that this varies between age groups, occupations, sexes and races. In my opinion, if your blood pressure is between 110 to 135 systolic and 55 to 85 diastolic, you are healthy. These readings would be when you are resting, not in the middle of any vigorous exercise or under any extreme distress.

Believing the above I theorized that getting blood vessels to be more flexible and getting the heart to be more relaxed should lower blood pressure. Investigating further I found devices being marketed that already worked on these theories. ZonaPLUStm produces a device that exercises the blood vessels through handgrip squeezing. RESPeRATEtm makes a device to aid in slow breathing exercises to relax the heart.

Scientific research shows that both these devices play a role in lowering blood pressure. Then I contemplated combining both these exercises, squeezing and breathing, into one program. After months of additional research and testing BPDown © was born. Not only does BPDown © combine both squeezing and breathing exercises into one program, but unlike the $300 price tags of other programs, BPDown © costs only $49 including shipping.

The BPDown © kit  provides, 2 squeeze apparatus (tension balls) tested and calibrated to provide appropriate tension for a good grip squeezing exercise designed to improve blood flow, a CD with audio instructions to squeeze correctly and slow down breathing for relaxation, an instruction booklet with directions on how to squeeze and breath properly with a method to practice these techniques anywhere, as well as record sheets and a pen to keep track of your progress.

I’m 69 years old and I’ve used BPDown for several months. My blood pressure was lowered from 180/90 to 125/75 in just a few weeks. I saw improvement immediately after just one use. Initially I used the BPDown program practically everyday, but now I use it only every other day and my low blood pressure is being maintained.

I carry the tension ball devices with me everywhere. So if I’m in a movie theater, early for an appointment, or watching TV, I just take out the devices and do the exercises.

I found that not only has my blood pressure gone down, but my grip, wrists and forearms are stronger and I feel generally much better.  Walking up and down stairs, and bending to pick up stuff are less effort. Even sleeping is better.

I don’t know if BPDown © will work equally well for everybody, but the price is so low and the other benefits so broad that I think everybody who might benefit from it should give it a try.

http://www.webmd.com/hypertension-high-blood-pressure/news

http://www.nature.com/jhh/journal/v15/n4/abs/1001147a.html

http://health.discovery.com/centers/althealth/deepbreath/deepbreathe.html

http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0ISW/is_259-260/ai_n12417473

http://www.slowbreath.com/FAQ.htm

http://www.nature.com/ajh/journal/v14/n1/full/ajh200115a.html

http://www.amjmedsci.com/pt/re/ajms/abstract.00000441-200303000-00003.htm http://www.patientedu.org/aspx/HealthELibrary/HealthETopic.aspx?cid=H1206d

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Planning, preparing and enjoying the foods that comprise a high blood pressure diet is a wonderfully-healthy and deliciously-fun element of your new holistic lifestyle. Your High Blood Pressure Diet needs to include the following food types:

Foods that are low in sodium.

Even when people think they are buying “healthy” foods, many times they are not. You can buy a package of wild rice with some type of seasoning packet in it and it does have some healthy characteristics. It is very low in all types of fats. It has zero cholesterol. It provides excellent proteins and complex carbohydrates. However, it has a ton of sodium in it. And remember, each package is made for a family – not an individual.

You need to start paying close attention to the sodium levels listed on the labels of the foods that you eat. In addition, do the following:

Foods that are low in saturated and Trans fats.

It should come as no surprise by now that saturated and Trans fats are the single largest killer on the planet besides world governments. Every disease that is preventable is made extremely more probabilistic when the diet contains sources for these destructive fat types.

Your high blood pressure diet needs to be based on healthy food intake choices that are low in sodium and solid fats. It’s really as simple as that. In addition, you need to avoid excessive consumption of alcohol, simple sugars and cholesterol. These are the killers of people all across the planet and are not to be taken lightly.

Maintaining normal blood pressure is not burdensome; it is a pleasure to live and eat in  a healthy fashion. Treat yourself and your family well and you all will be able to effectively avoid and/or reverse the development of high blood pressure.

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