Although high blood pressure is often assumed to be a natural consequence of aging, the fact that so many Americans in their 20’s, 30’s, and 40’s suffer from high blood pressure clearly indicates it is not an age-dependent disease. In actuality, high blood pressure is the result of poor overall health and lifestyle choices. Conventional medicine primarily focuses on treating the symptoms of high blood pressure rather than addressing its underlying causes. It does this chiefly through the use of blood pressure medications which can cause dangerous side effects.

But there is a natural ‘medication’ you can take that will dramatically lower your blood pressure levels. Actually, the medication I’m talking about isn’t really a medication at all, it’s a supplement. Mangosteen has long been used in Asia for it’s healing properties and has broken into the North American market in recent years.

The important thing to understand about high blood pressure is that it isn’t easy to pin down on any one thing. Certainly, there are factors that increase a persons blood pressure and those range from diet to lifestyle choices but blood pressure is one of those ‘gauging symptoms’. By that I mean that you can use it as a gauge that your body is in a state of general distress. For example, often times high blood pressure is brought on by stress and lack of exercise. Chronic stress (like the kind you face at your job) builds up over the years and causes your adrenal glands to work harder to keep you calm and invigorated. After a while, they’ll go through a ‘burn out’ phase and you’ll suffer from a drop in energy from you body’s inability to create cortisol. With your hormones out of balance, things that would normally bounce right off you become points of increased stress which further exacerbate the situation. Because of your body’s inability to produce the right amount of hormones your stomach acid decreases which results in malnourishment, even greater fatigue and general depression. Of course, somewhere along the line your blood pressure will start to increase as the stress of the ‘everyday’ begins to become overwhelming and you start crave high-fat foods in a desperate attempt by your body to get the nourishment it needs to keep going.

If that sounds like a pretty grim scenario—it is. And what’s more, it happens to more people than you would think. An approximate 67% of adults in America suffer from adrenal fatigue. Now keep in mind that adrenal fatigue is just one of the reasons you may have high blood pressure.

The good news is that high blood pressure is something you can fight. I’m sure you’ve heard it all before but diet and exercise, as usual, play a key role in getting your body back on track and in a healthy state. As I mentioned above, there are medications for high blood pressure that, although effective, are not well tolerated by most people and include a linty of side effects. In my opinion, mangosteen supplementation is a far better choice.

The active compounds in Mangosteen, xanthones, are natural anti-inflammatories and have anti-microbial properties. They act to strengthen the blood vessel walls as well as decrease any inflammation that may be present (which will make high blood pressure worse). In addition to that, the xanthones provide total body support. By that I mean they support the immune system, the endocrine system, and the digestive tract. All of that means you’ll start to feel better, have more energy, and lower blood pressure.

While Mangosteen supplementation is, in my opinion, vital to getting rid of high blood pressure there is also a mental component to consider. Stress is one of the main factors in this disorder and it should be avoided as much as possible. I’ll concede that this is easier said than done but as much as possible you should try to take some time every day to relax and wind down; it will do wonders for your health!

If you’re wondering what type of mangosteen supplements I take (yes I take mangosteen!) I use the Natural Home Cures brand. I prefer the solid state mangosteen to the liquid form as the xanthones are found in the rind of the fruit and with the pills I know I’m getting 100% pure mangosteen rind (also known as pericarp). With the liquid supplements you end up paying for a bunch of other fruit juices that are just in there to make the everything taste better. The other problem is you end up paying a much bigger shipping fee as the juice weighs way more than the pills. So, for what it’s worth, I’d recommend Natural Home Cures brand mangosteen.

What is Atherosclerosis?

Your arteries are the blood vessels which transport the oxygen-rich blood from your heart towards your other organs. A condition called atherosclerosis impairs them from doing their job efficiently. In atherosclerosis, there is a build-up of plaque along the walls of your arteries consisting of macrophages, cholesterol crystals, and calcium deposits. In time, the plaque hardens and decreases elasticity of the blood vessel wall.

Atherosclerosis may be present in people yet not show any symptoms. However, it could be lethal when it progresses and ruptures, or when the enlargement of the compensating artery leads to aneurysm.

The process of plaque formation is gradual. It takes years before it puts your organs in danger. At first, there is some injury to the lining of the blood vessel wall, calling in the white blood cells towards the affected site. This provokes an inflammatory response which further damages the lining. Large, unstable LDL (bad) cholesterol molecules are then allowed to penetrate and reach the inner layers of the artery. The immune response creates free radicals which interact with the LDL molecules, resulting to oxidation of the bad cholesterol. The oxidized LDL aggravates the injury by releasing toxins, attracting more white blood cells and triggering the immune response which allows more LDL molecules to penetrate the vessel wall.

In time, the bad cholesterol, white blood cells and toxins form a lipid foam. The lipid foam is the building block of the plaque deposits within the arterial wall. Calcium in the blood is attracted to attach to the lipid foam, forming a hard shell over the deposit.

The blockage of blood flow due to the plaque within the lumen, or the dislodged plaque which settles in a smaller-caliber artery compromises the supply of oxygen necessary for normal functioning of cells and tissues within the different organs of the body. To compensate, the pressure rises within the arteries before the site of the blockage, to push the delivery of blood. This leads to high blood pressure which eventually tires out the heart because it is required to pump harder.

What are the Effects of Atherosclerosis on different organs?

Atherosclerosis can affect any artery in the body.

When it takes place in the coronary arteries, which supply the heart, serious consequences could occur, including heart attack. It eventually leads to death.

When the carotid artery and smaller vessels to the brain are occluded, stroke ensues.

In a similar manner, restriction of blood flow to other organs such as kidney, compromises its normal functions and leads to renal insufficiency.

Cutting off the blood supply to other parts of the body including the legs, results to gangrene formation. It may eventually require amputation.

What Puts Me at Risk for Atherosclerosis?

Your habits, diet and genetics all play a role in putting you at risk for atherosclerosis.  Cigarette smoking, high fat diet, and lack of exercise are things you must avoid. If you’re on the heavy side, aim to lose some weight because obesity is likewise an important factor.

High levels of bad cholesterol (LDL), low levels of good cholesterol (HDL), hypertension, and diabetes mellitus all contribute to the development of atherosclerosis.

The goal in the management of atherosclerosis is to improve your diet and the avoidance of hazardous habits including smoking. Exercise is highly encouraged.

Controlling blood cholesterol and sugar levels, as well as your blood pressure are also important measures to take.

When the arterial narrowing is severe, surgery is an option.

What is Mangosteen?

Mangosteen (Garcinia mangostana) is regarded as one of the world’s most amazing fruits because of its powerful medicinal properties. It has been used for over a thousand years as a natural treatment for various diseases.

If you’re not familiar with the fruit, that’s because the tree grows only in tropical climates, particularly in Southeast Asian countries such as Thailand, Malaysia, Philippines, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Vietnam and India.

It is round, with purple outer covering called the pericarp and white, sweet-tasting pulp inside which envelopes the seeds.

The beneficial properties are found within the pericarp and the pulp, but are highly concentrated in the former. The xanthones and polysaccharides are the components in mangosteen responsible for its medicinal properties.

Xanthones has been the subject of many researches due to the promising health benefits found in it. There are around 40 types of xanthones, and among the most studied are alpha mangostin and gamma mangostin. These have been found to have potent properties to maintain cardiovascular health. 

How does Mangosteen Help in Atherosclerosis?

Gamma mangostin, one of the xanthones found in mangosteen, is a powerful antioxidant which helps tremendously in fighting off atherosclerosis. It prevents the oxidation of bad cholesterols (LDL) by free radicals. Oxidzed LDL is one of the culprits for the formation of plaques which clog the arteries. By fighting off free radicals, we are preventing the many sequence of events that contribute to atherosclerosis.

Polyphenols, which are substances also found in mangosteen, were found to be five times more potent than vitamin C as antioxidant.

Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity (ORAC) test done in laboratory shows that an ounce of mangosteen has 20 to 30 more times more capable of absorbing free radicals than other fruits and vegetables of the same amount.

It is worth mentioning that gamma mangostin is found to lower the levels of bad cholesterol without the potentially damaging effects to the liver, brought about by anti-cholesterol drugs. Patients who are taking drugs to lower their cholesterol levels are advised to have their blood checked regularly, to monitor the possible side effects of the drugs they are taking.

The supplementation of mangosteen in patients prone to developing atherosclerosis, coupled with a good diet, avoidance of smoking, and regular exercise, show remarkable results.

Aside from lowering the bad cholesterol, mangosteen also helps in raising the levels of good cholesterol and the over-all levels of cholesterol. These are important factors that could prevent the risk for atherosclerosis.

What Type of Mangosteen Supplement Do I Choose?

The many health benefits derived from mangosteen has made more companies jump into the bandwagon of producing different brands and preparations of mangosteen supplements. The availability of many options is a good thing, but the problem is how to choose wisely.

Mangosteen supplements come in juice and capsule form. The juice is a great tasting blend of mangosteen and other fruit extracts. It needs to be mixed with other pleasant tasting fruits to improve its taste. The capsule form, however, offers 100% mangosteen without the need for additives and stabilizers.

Preservatives are added to juices to prolong their shelf life. Benzene, which is formed from sodium benzoate- a preservative added to mangosteen juice, has hazardous effects to one’s health. Leukaemia is one of the known health risks of benzene.

Juice has to undergo processes such as pasteurization and irradiation which destroys the natural medicinal properties in mangosteen. However, if you are only after the taste, the juice form will do. That is, if your’re willing to pay for a higher price for the benefits that may no longer be there. The capsule form, on the other hand, doesn’t have to undergo the above processes. You are assured that the benefits you are after, are still intact, to effectively address your health concerns.

Hypertension occurs when pressure inside the blood vessels is too high. A change in your lifestyle and diet are important factors in naturally lowering your blood pressure. Lifestyle changes include stress reduction, exercise, and relaxation techniques. This can be lowered by medication and natural therapy. Enough of all this bad news… The good news is that we have mangosteen. Research laboratories around the world have been helping us understand how the mangosteen fruit works. It is the best tasting fruit in the world that provides you nutritional value for overall wellness. Let this food be your medicine.

Mangosteen also referred to as “Queen of fruits” is one of the most popular tropical fruits known for its numerous health benefits including the effects it has on high blood pressure. Not only is Mangosteen known for its high nutritional value but also for its delicious taste. The Mangosteen is tangerine-sized and is deep purple in color on the outside, with a bright white pulp in the inside. It is prized because of its excellent flavor. The two most beneficial Xanthones found in the Mangosteen have been named Alpha Mangostin and Gamma Mangostin, these two Xanthones have been found to carry a host of benefits.

Want to look fabulous and stay healthy? Mangosteen has been proven to effectively normalize body weight that leads to hypertension. This is welcoming to the people who want to fight hypertension but do not want to go on a diet. It is the most powerful with numerous health benefits found in nature. With a fragrance that is comparable to strawberry or grape and a delicious and sweet slight sour edge, it is a fruit that you can learn to love for its unique nutritional value.

Take this fruit now and experience the wonders that it can bring into your health. It is effectively used to prevent hypertension that can lead to cardiovascular diseases such as atherosclerosis, ischemic heart disease, thrombosis and stroke! Mangosteen fruit is no doubt a perfect source of all the essential nutrients. Did you know that an enormous amount of modern study and research has been channeled towards unlocking the secrets of this remarkable fruit? The latest in scientific research shows Mangosteen contains a class of naturally occurring polyphenolic compounds known as xanthones. That would appear to make this fruit an active and important nutritional supplement for the human body. It’s the path to wellness! We can conclude that mangosteen has many uses in folk medicine, and as such, it can join a fairly long list of plants that can be considered as promising sources of a new alternative medicine.

The “ Queen of fruits” is the newest, hottest topics in health food supplements today!

It’s the answer that many people with high blood pressure have been waiting for. It’s a medical breakthrough that will surely be sought by people in the market today. For centuries, the mangosteen fruit has been used for medication purposes. We have seen dozens of medications advertised as proven to be effective by double blind placebo studies and later removed from the market as dangerous and ineffective. Hold your breaths… Mangosteen is the answer for overall wellness without all the side effects traditional medicine comes with.

You will find that Mangosteen comes in both liquid and solid form. If you are wanting to take Mangosteen for the beneficial health properties that it has to offer you are going to want to stick to the solid (capsule form). Although you may find liquid Mangosteen widely advertised, the liquid Mangosteen contains a small percentage of the Mangosteen and is made mostly from ordinary juices you can find in your local supermarket. The only difference here is that you will wind up paying a lot more for them because they are packed in a bottle that is labeled “Mangosteen Juice”. Mangosteen in capsule form is made of 100% Mangosteen rind. This is where all the beneficial health properties called “xanthones” are found. So, if you are wanting the health benefits solid is the way to go.