HYPERTENSION, or high blood pressure, is known to be the leading cause of cardiovascular disease and early death worldwide. Hypertension is defined as a systolic/diastolic blood pressure of 140/90 mmHg or greater. There are several steps or strategies you could take to help reduce blood pressure, such as following a healthier diet and reducing excess body fat. Another way is to add supplements to your diet, and it’s never too late to start. Studies have shown that several B vitamins may help reduce high blood pressure levels. Vitamin B9 — folate and folic acid — may help lower blood pressure in people who are suffering from heart disease. Vitamin B2 or riboflavin has been shown to lower blood pressure in around 10 percent of people, according to new research published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition that links a common genetic factor with the vitamin. Magnesium has been shown to reduce blood pressure by increasing the production of nitric oxide, a molecule that helps relax blood vessels. However, magnesium supplements should be avoided in patients with severe renal insufficiency. Potassium is known to be helpful in regulating blood pressure levels. How it works is by promoting sodium excretion and helping your blood vessels to relax. A recently published systematic review showed that supplementing your diet with CoQ10, in addition to standard therapy in patients with moderate-to-severe heart failure, is associated with symptom reduction of major cardiovascular disease. (SD-Agencies) | 