Chiropractic + Wellness

Many research studies have found a fundamental correlation between the proper intake of amino acids and cardiovascular disease, as well as the increased risk of hypertension. As previously discussed, protein plays a crucial role in almost all biological processes and amino acids are the building blocks of it. A large proportion of our cells are made up of amino acids, meaning they carry out many important bodily functions, such as giving cells their structure as well as transporting and storing nutrients. Amino acids have an influence on the function of organs, glands, tendons and arteries.

A healthy balance of vitamins and minerals can help manage and maintain heart health. According to research studies, the right intake of potassium, magnesium, calcium and zinc can substantially improve cardiovascular disease and hypertension. A proper diet and nutrition can have similar effects as taking cardiovascular disease and hypertension drugs and medications, but through a much more natural approach.

In conclusion, cardiovascular disease and hypertension have been associated with numerous issues, however, oxidative stress, inflammation and autoimmune dysfunction have been regarded as the most prevalent causes behind cardiovascular disease and hypertension. Oxidative stress, defined as a disturbance in the balance between the production of reactive oxygen species (free radicals) and antioxidant defenses, inflammation and autoimmune dysfunction, occurs when the body’s immune system attacks and destroys healthy body tissue by mistake. Cardiovascular disease and hypertension is an indication of cardiovascular issues which should be addressed by a healthcare professional.

Protein can be found in chicken, pork, fish, beef, tofu, beans, lentils, yogurt, milk, cheese, seeds, nuts, and eggs. The issue with consuming some of these sources of protein that are rich in saturated fats as well is that such can increase the levels of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL), or in other words, the “bad” cholesterol. Increased levels of LDL cholesterol have been associated with cardiovascular disease and even hypertension. Research studies focusing on the connection between protein intake and CVD as well as hypertension have been conducted to reveal this correlation.

Many of the substances in food, particularly in nutraceutical supplements, antioxidants, vitamins or nutritional supplements, function in a manner that is similar to a category of drugs and medications to improve cardiovascular disease and hypertension. The effect is synergistic when used in combination with other nutritional supplements even though the drug might not be less than the potency of the compounds. These natural compounds have been outlined to the significant antihypertensive drug classes, such as diuretics, beta blockers, central alpha agonists, direct vasodilators, calcium channel blockers (CCB’s), angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEI’s), angiotensin receptor blockers (ARB’s) and direct renin inhibitors (DRI).

Vascular disease can appropriately be described as the balance between vascular injury and vascular repair (Figure 1). The endothelium is strategically found to be closely associated to the bloodstream as well as the vascular smooth muscle and it is also in charge of discharging a variety of substances in order to preserve vascular homeostasis and health (Figures 2 and 3). Numerous irritations which can provoke damage or harm to the endothelium, can lead to endothelial dysfunction, or ED, and can cause hypertension and other cardiovascular diseases.

Hypertension might be a hemodynamic indication of a damaged or injuried endothelium and vascular smooth muscle which could be connected to definite inflammation responses, oxidative stress and immune dysfunction of the arteries leading to ED, vascular and cardiac smooth muscle disorder, loss of arterial elasticity together with reduced arterial compliance and increased systemic vascular resistance. Hypertension is a significant outcome of the interaction between environmental factors and genetics. Macronutrients and micronutrients are crucial in the regulation of blood pressure, or BP, following target organ damage, or TOD. Nutrient-gene interactions, subsequent gene expression, epigenetics, oxidative stress, inflammation and autoimmune vascular dysfunction have positive or negative influences on vascular biology in humans. Endothelial activation with endothelial dysfunction and vascular smooth muscle breakdown, or VSMD, can ultimately trigger and continue to stimulate the development and growth of hypertension.