5 vitamins and supplements you should avoid if you suffer from high blood pressure

High blood pressure (hypertension) is a condition that affects more than a billion people worldwide. Treating high blood pressure is essential to reduce your risk of other health conditions, such as a heart attack or stroke. Some vitamins and supplements, such as licorice root and St. John’s wort, can affect blood pressure or make blood pressure medication less effective.

Vitamin D is a vitamin found naturally in some foods and available as a dietary supplement. Your body also makes vitamin D when your skin is exposed to ultraviolet rays from the sun. Vitamin D is essential for many body functions, such as bone health and inflammation.

Some researchers have found that vitamin D may help treat high blood pressure, specifically doses ranging from 200 to 8,000 international units (IU) per day. Vitamin D doses greater than 10,000 IU per day can cause serious side effectssuch as high calcium levels (hypercalcemia). Hypercalcemia can cause many problems over time, including high blood pressure.

High doses of vitamin D can also interact with some diuretics (water pills) used to treat high blood pressure. This interaction can cause your body to not get rid of enough calcium, raising calcium levels and possibly raising your blood pressure.

Talk to your primary care provider about your vitamin D levels. They can test your levels to determine if vitamin D supplements are good for you and your blood pressure.

Licorice root (Glycyrrhiza glabra) is an herb used as a flavoring in foods, candy, and tobacco products. In traditional medicine, the root has been used to treat lung diseases, liver diseases and wounds.

Licorice contains Glycyrrhizic acid (GA), an ingredient that can raise blood pressure It causes serious side effects if you have high blood pressure. GA doses as low as 100 milligrams per day have been shown to raise blood pressure.

Supplements with GA can also interact with diuretics and blood pressure medications. The supplement may affect how well your blood pressure medication works and increase your risk of side effects. Specifically, licorice root can raise sodium levels and lower potassium levels in the body. This effect, combined with the diuretic, can lead to dangerously low levels of potassium.

If you suffer from high blood pressure, it is best to avoid using products that contain licorice root.

St. John’s wort (Hypericum perforated) is a plant used to treat symptoms of depression and menopause. Although historically used as a traditional medicine, the plant may interact dangerously with a variety of medications. St. John’s wort It weakens the effect of many medicationsSome of them are used to treat high blood pressure.

Examples of blood pressure medications that interact with St. John’s wort include:

• Procardia (nifedipine)
• Talinolol
• Verelan (verapamil)

These interactions are likely to occur because St. John’s wort prevents the drug from being absorbed into the body as it normally would.

Talk to your healthcare provider before taking St. John’s wort. They can tell you if a supplement might interact with any other medications or supplements you take.

Arnica is a flower from the sunflower family. The flower has been used to help treat bruises, inflammation, and swelling when applied directly to the skin.

Experts recommend against taking arnica orally due to the risk of significant side effects. these Side effects may include high blood pressureIncreased bleeding, vomiting, diarrhea, and damage to the heart or other organs.

Bitter orange (Citrus orangeIt is taken from the fruit or peel of bitter orange. The fruit and peel can be used to add flavor to drinks or scents to perfumes. Bitter orange supplement is often used to aid weight loss and improve athletic performance.

Bitter orange contains p-Synephrine, a type of stimulant similar to ephedrine. The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has banned ephedrine stimulants because they can cause health problems such as stroke and heart attacks. Although bitter orange is not prohibited, it should be used with extreme caution.

Studies have shown this Bitter orange supplements can raise blood pressure and heart rate. The supplement can also increase the risk of other serious side effects such as stroke and heart attack. However, bitter orange found in foods and drinks is unlikely to affect blood pressure or cause these side effects.

Talk to your healthcare provider before taking bitter orange.

People may respond to some supplements differently. Factors that may affect how you respond to a supplement include genetics, diet and nutrition, age, gut health, and general health status. Note any side effects or symptoms you experience when you start taking a new supplement or vitamin.

Before starting any new vitamins or supplements, talk to your doctor. They can help you decide if a vitamin or supplement is beneficial and safe for you. Your doctor can also compare the new supplement to all other medications, vitamins, and nutritional supplements you’re already taking to identify potential interactions.