Helps maintain healthy blood pressure levels
High blood pressure, or hypertension, is a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease. High blood pressure can be caused by a number of factors including hormones, kidney disease, and cardiovascular disorders. Blood pressure increases due to increased force of the contraction of the heart and increased peripheral resistance in the blood vessels.
In the renin-angiotensin system, the enzyme renin activates the hormone angiotensin-1, which is then converted to angiotensin-2 by angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE). Angiotensin-2 increases blood pressure by increasing sodium and water retention from the kidneys and constricting the smooth muscle around the arteries. Additionally, nitric oxide is a molecule that is produced in the endothelial lining of blood vessels where it locally causes the smooth muscle surrounding the blood vessels to relax. Sufficient production of nitric oxide is required to decrease peripheral resistance of the blood vessels. Peripheral resistance can also be increased as a result of hardening of the arteries due to calcium deposits and atherosclerotic plaque formation. There is also research regarding parathyroid hypertensive factor (PHF), a substance released from the parathyroid gland that is believed to increase blood pressure by interfering with normal calcium channel activity in vascular smooth muscle cells. Elevated PHF levels correlate with hypertension, especially in low-renin, salt-sensitive patients.
Natural support for high blood pressure
Hypertension can have dangerous consequences and patients should never stop taking their blood-pressure lowering drugs without a doctor’s guidance. However, for individuals who want to explore other options, there are a number of approaches that can be taken.
Natural products have many different mechanisms to modulate blood pressure. Cordyceps and shark cartilage, as found in PRESSURE-fX™, address both the renin-angiotensin system as well as PHF. Research suggests that shark cartilage and Cordyceps are PHF antagonists. Animal models show that shark cartilage administration decreased blood pressure and modulates intracellular calcium regulation. Studies indicate that Cordyceps also lowers blood pressure in animal models, relaxes blood vessels, and elicits a dose-dependent relaxation of extra-cellular calcium-dependent contractions. Researchers believe that shark cartilage and Cordyceps may benefit both high-renin and high-PHF patients. A clinical trial with hypertensive patients showed that adding PRESSURE-fX was more effective at lowering blood pressure than diet, lifestyle modifications, and mineral supplementation alone. In fact, 88 percent of subjects had significantly reduced blood pressure, and 75 percent of subjects were able to maintain normal blood pressure without medication.
Dosage:
1 capsule twice per day or as needed.
| Product Specifications: |
| Serving Size: 1 Capsule |
| Amount Per Serving |
| Shark cartilage | 180mg | * |
| (concentrated, water soluble extract) |
| Cordyceps sinensis extract | 20mg | * |
| *Daily Value not established |
Other Ingredients:
Microcrystalline cellulose and hydroxypropylmethylcellulose (vegetarian capsule).
Contains no added sugar, starch, salt, wheat, gluten, corn, coloring, dairy products, flavoring or preservatives.
Keep container tightly closed in a cool, dry and dark place. Keep out of reach of children. |
