Alternative Help for High Blood Pressure

Lifestyle and dietary changes are effective alternative help for high blood pressure. It takes commitment, but these changes can lower blood pressure significantly. A qualified naturopath physician will monitor your progress and offer advice on dietary and lifestyle changes. If your blood pressure cannot be controlled through alternative remedies, you may need prescription blood pressure medication.

Lifestyle and Dietary Changes

• Lifestyle changes that may help decrease high blood pressure include reducing alcohol and caffeine intake and increasing exercise. As stress is a contributing factor, taking time out for meditation and breathing exercises also may help. Methods that combine breathing and exercise techniques to promote relaxation, such as yoga, tai chi or quigong, may be particularly helpful for persons in a high-stress environment. Cigarette smokers must quit to help reduce their blood pressure.

  According to Dr. Andrew Weil, physician and integrative medicine advocate, the DASH diet -- created by the National Institutes of Health National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute -- may decrease high blood pressure. This diet is rich in vegetables, fruit and fish and low in animal protein and salt. Dr. Weil also suggests using plenty of garlic and taking calcium, magnesium and vitamin C supplements; garlic may help relax blood vessels, vitamin C may reduce blood pressure to a small degree, and calcium and magnesium supplements will address deficiencies in these minerals that can increase blood pressure.

Find a Naturopath Physician

• Naturopath doctors use diet, exercise and lifestyle changes to address medical conditions. A naturopath physician will provide you with alternative therapy regimens for high blood pressure. It is important to find a qualified licensed naturopath physician to ensure that your blood pressure is being monitored correctly. Find a local naturopath through the American Association of Naturopathic Physicians (AANP).

Cautions and Considerations

• While lifestyle and dietary changes can be effective alternative remedies for high blood pressure, sometimes they just aren't enough. If high blood pressure cannot be controlled through natural avenues, you'll need prescription medication While trying alternative therapies, you'll still need to have your blood pressure continually monitored to ensure it does not reach dangerously high levels.