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WHAT
IS HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE?
Approximately 50 million Americans—about 20 percent of the U.S.
population—have high blood pressure, or hypertension. Hypertension
is a serious condition in which increased blood flow exerts undue pressure
and stress against the walls of the blood vessels. As the most common
primary diagnosis in the U.S., hypertension accounts for more than 35
million physician office visits per year.
Hypertension forces the heart and blood vessels to work harder than normal,
making them highly susceptible to injury. Uncontrolled hypertension can
lead to an increased risk of serious health conditions, including congestive
heart failure, heart attack, stroke, atherosclerosis, brain damage, vision
loss, and/or kidney failure.
With only 34 percent of individuals with hypertension responding favorably
to drug treatment, it may not be the sole approach for addressing high
blood pressure. While pharmaceutical agents that inhibit angiotensin converting
enzyme (ACE) activity have been shown to lower blood pressure and be relatively
safe, they can be accompanied by numerous side effects, including dry
cough, dizziness, lightheadedness, headaches, and impotence. As a result,
hypertensive individuals have turned to alternatives known to lower blood
pressure, such as increasing exercise, decreasing stress, implementing
favorable dietary modifications, and integrating dietary supplements into
their daily regimen.
WHAT ARE BONITO PEPTIDES?
Bonito (Sarda orientalis) is a fish belonging to the tuna and mackerel
family that is traditionally consumed in Japan. Japanese researchers have
identified a patented process to isolate specific, active bonito peptides
(separated proteins) with demonstrated blood pressure-lowering effects
in animals and humans.
Bonito
peptides provide safe and natural blood pressure support for individuals
with pre-hypertension (systolic blood pressure: 120-139 mm Hg; diastolic
blood pressure: 80-89 mm Hg) or Stage I hypertension (systolic blood pressure:
140-159 mm Hg; diastolic blood pressure: 90-99 mm Hg).
HOW
DO BONITO PEPTIDES LOWER BLOOD PRESSURE?
Bonito peptides have been shown to inhibit ACE activity. ACE catalyzes
the formation of angiotensin II, a potent compound responsible for blood
vessel constriction. In excess, it can lead to detrimental effects such
as local arterial damage, blood clot formation, and increased oxidative
stress. Due to its physiological effects, angiotensin II may be implicated
in the development of hypertension, congestive heart failure, diabetes-related
nerve damage, and in vascular disease such as atherosclerosis.
Japanese researchers have identified nine specific active peptides in dried bonito fish. Some of these enzyme’s properties enable the bonito peptide mixture to have a sustainable blood pressure-lowering effect in borderline and mildly hypertensive individuals, without causing a quick rise in blood pressure after skipping a dose.
WHAT
CLINICAL RESULTS HAVE BEEN OBTAINED WITH BONITO PEPTIDES?
Three human clinical trials have been successfully conducted using bonito
peptides in subjects with borderline or mild hypertension. Data has revealed
significant decreases in blood pressure, with an average decrease of 10
mm Hg in systolic blood pressure and 7 mm Hg in diastolic blood pressure
after several weeks of use. In a recent study, researchers used an optimized
bonito peptide mixture of 1.5 grams daily.
Clinical trial research suggests that bonito peptides are approximately 64 percent effective in reducing blood pressure in borderline and mildly hypertensive subjects. In these short-term clinical trials, no adverse side effects were reported, suggesting that bonito peptides have an excellent safety profile. In an unpublished, preclinical pilot study, bonito peptides did not lower blood pressure in subjects with blood pressure already in normal range. Furthermore, no rebound or reverse effect or abnormally high blood pressure levels were observed after supplement termination in short-term trials with borderline and mildly hypertensive subjects.
RECENT
CLINICAL TRIAL STUDY DESCRIPTION
The anti-hypertensive effects of 1.5 grams per day of bonitopeptides were
monitored against a placebo in a double-blind, randomized, crossover study
in 61 borderline and mildly hypertensive subjects (average systolic blood
pressure = 149.4 ± 1.0 mm Hg and average diastolic blood pressure
= 93.5 ± 1.3 mm Hg).
For
the first five weeks, one group received bonito peptides, while the second
group received the placebo. For the second five weeks, the treatments
for each group were reversed. Blood pressure was measured every day between
8:00 AM and 9:00 AM and taken while the subject was in a sitting position,
after having rested for five minutes.
STUDY
RESULTS
In the first five-week period, the group receiving bonito peptides showed
a clear decrease in blood pressure. The systolic blood pressure decreased
by 11.7 ± 1.3 mm Hg while the diastolic blood pressure decreased
by 6.9 ± 1.0 mm Hg. After the crossover, the group that had previously
received the placebo and failed to show any significant decrease in blood
pressure now started to show a decrease in blood pressure following the
administration of the bonito peptides: systolic blood pressure decreased
by 9.4 ± 1.2 mm Hg and the diastolic blood pressure decreased by
4.6 ± 0.8 mm Hg. (All results were p < 0.01 compared to the
placebo group.)
In the group that first took the bonito peptides, no subject showed an abnormal blood pressure rebound effect when switched to the placebo, but blood pressure values returned to baseline during the course of placebo ingestion.
THE POWER
OF BONITO PEPTIDES IN NEW VASOTENSIN™
What these findings show is the importance of supporting optimal blood
flow and catching blood flow issues in the very early stages for two primary
reasons: indicators of blood flow difficulties can go unnoticed until
undesirable, aggressive action is needed; and new blood pressure guidelines
introduced in 2003 place previously “safe” individuals in
a risk category.
Vasotensin™ offers this support by providing active peptides from bonito fish to help prevent the formation of angiotensin II through their interaction with ACE, thus supporting healthy vascular function for optimal blood flow and healthy blood pressure levels.
THE IMPORTANCE
OF POSITIVE LIFESTYLE HABITS
Practicing healthy diet and lifestyle habits are a critical adjunctive
therapy approach for ALL persons who need blood pressure support. Another
vital part is Vasotensin and its benefits which include an allnatural
approach for blood pressure support with, as the findings show, an excellent
safety profile in a fast-acting formula (using only the best raw materials
available), and no reverse effect observed when supplementation is discontinued.
It may also be used as a complement to other heart support programs, such
as prescription drugs, dietary supplements, and medical foods.
