Sodium and blood pressure control
Summary
A new study published in the American Journal of Physiology — Renal Physiology has found that your hypertension could be tied to a mineral deficiency… The way that your kidneys either excrete sodium through your urine or reabsorb it into your body — specifically through a pathway called the sodium chloride cotransporter (NCC) — plays a role in blood pressure control and can determine whether your blood pressure stays in a safe range or skyrockets. According to the researchers, this proves that lower-than-normal zinc levels may contribute to high blood pressure by altering the way the kidneys handle sodium. This means that in addition to eating a healthy diet full of fruits and vegetables, getting regular exercise and practicing relaxation techniques to lower your breathing and heart rate, you should consider a daily zinc supplement to optimize your blood pressure. Pterostilbene is a powerful antioxidant that helps block the creation of Angiotensin II — an enzyme that stiffens the walls of your blood vessels and triggers a hormone that increases the amounts of sodium and water retained by your body. Green tea extract contains catechins that have been proven to reduce oxidative stress and soothe inflammation, supporting your heart health.