If You Have High Blood Pressure, Avoid these Supplements

High blood pressure, or hypertension, occurs when your blood presses relentlessly against your artery walls. As this pressure rises, your heart is forced to work harder than usual to pump blood through your body. Over time, this extra workload can damage blood vessels and heighten the risk of serious complications like heart attack and stroke.

Although many of these pills and powders contain naturally derived ingredients, not all are as heart-friendly and innocent as they may seem. To help protect your ticker, we reached out to a cardiologist and cardiovascular dietitian to find out which supplements you should avoid if you have high blood pressure.  

1. Bitter Orange

Bitter orange extract, derived from the dried peel of the bitter orange fruit, is often used in supplements marketed for weight loss and athletic performance. However, for people with high blood pressure, this extract can pose a serious risk. This herb contains synephrine, which can raise blood pressure and trigger dangerous heart rhythms.

2. Licorice Root

Known for its distinctively sweet flavor and soothing properties, licorice root has traditionally been used as an herbal remedy to ease digestive issues, fight viruses and soothe sore throats. However, licorice contains glycyrrhizic acid, a compound that can cause the body to retain sodium, potentially increasing blood pressure. One study found that even low doses of licorice root containing as little as 100 milligrams of glycyrrhizic acid may significantly raise blood pressure when consumed regularly. Additionally, licorice root has been shown to decrease potassium levels.

3. Caffeine-containing Supplements

Caffeine isn’t just in your morning coffee or afternoon tea. It’s also a common ingredient in many supplements that claim to boost energy, improve alertness and enhance physical performance. However, this popular stimulant can cause a temporary spike in blood pressure, making it a risky choice for those with hypertension.

4. Yohimbine

Yohimbine, a compound found in the bark of the yohimbe tree, is frequently found in supplements and teas marketed for weight loss, athletic performance, improved sexual health and–ironically–high blood pressure.  Not so fast. Yohimbine is a stimulant that can dangerously raise blood pressure and heart rate because it increases blood pressure by raising the levels of a hormone and messenger called norepinephrine. And as norepinephrine levels rise, blood vessels begin to narrow, impairing blood flow and leading to higher blood pressure. 

5. Ephedra

Ephedra is an herbal dietary supplement that has been used for centuries as a natural remedy for colds, headaches, coughs and fever, particularly in China and India. Fast forward to the 21st century when it became a sought-after ingredient in dietary supplements promoted for weight loss, physical performance and enhanced energy. However, it is far from risk-free. It contains ephedrine alkaloids, strong stimulant compounds linked to high blood pressure, heart attacks, strokes and even sudden death. It can also interfere with blood pressure and heart medications, making them less effective. Due to these serious side effects, ephedra has been banned by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for use in supplements. Although it’s banned in dietary supplements, its active ingredient, ephedrine, can be found in some allergy and asthma medications Therefore, you should always consult your health care provider before taking anything with ephedra listed in the ingredients.

Keeping your blood pressure in check isn’t just about avoiding certain supplements. A healthy lifestyle can have a significant impact on your numbers. For instance, avoiding cigarettes and limiting alcohol are proven ways to reduce your risk of hypertension. 

Source: EatingWell©

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