Blood Pressure Diet.com

Olive Oil in a High Blood Pressure Diet

Olive oil is often listed as being good for helping to prevent heart disease and generally much better for you than other saturated fats.

But new research has indicated that extra virgin olive oil may also be useful in lowering your blood pressure as part on an overall blood pressure diet.

The main finding of this study was that the people on the extra virgin olive oil based 'mediterranean style' diet, had a 48% reduction in the need for blood pressure medications. While the people on a sunflower oil based diet reduced the need for medications by only 4%. The total cholesterol and triglycerides were also slightly lower after the olive oil diet.

Your need to take (add to food) approximately forty grams per day of extra-virgin olive oil, which is about four tablespoons.

Cooking food with olive oil is not the only way to lower your cholesterol levels. Grape seed oil is an alternative with added health benefits. Grape seed oil is high in antioxidants, vitamin E, and has the ability to raise HDL (good cholesterol levels and lower LDL (bad) cholesterol levels like that of olive oil. The effect is due to the grape seed oil’s poly and monounsaturated fat content. Grape Seed Oil also has a slight nutty flavor that complements other foods such as salads, breads and vegetables.

Always consult your doctor before changing the amount of any medications that you are taking.

Further Info

Potassium and blood pressure
Adding more foods rich in potassium can also help lower high blood pressure.

Body Weight and Obesity
Having a healthy body weight is a major factor in maintaining normal blood pressure.

Life Extension Blood Testing

Lifestyle factors like coffee consumption, alcohol intake, lack of exercise and smoking are all things that are very significant causes of long term high blood pressure. Limit consumption of alcohol.