Millions of Americans take drugs to lower their blood pressure. It’s risky business.
Some of these medications can do more harm than good. Side effects can include ED, depression, a hacking cough, insomnia, irregular heartbeat, and more.1
But now the FDA has disclosed the worst side effect yet…cancer.2
Valsartan is a widely prescribed blood pressure pill. The FDA recently announced that they found that some of the medication was tainted with the chemical N-nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA). The FDA classifies NDMA as “a probable human carcinogen.”3
Back when valsartan was approved in 2002 it was made in the United States. But now most of the drug is manufactured in China.
It is China-made valsartan that is tainted with NDMA, the FDA said.
The FDA said, “The presence of NDMA was unexpected and is thought to be related to changes in the way the active substance was manufactured.”
It added that the medication “does not meet our safety standards.”4
The FDA–along with the governments of 21 other countries–immediately announced a recall of valsartan made in China.
Of course, Big Pharma disagreed.
One drug company released a statement that said, “There is no certainty as to how much this contaminant may potentially increase cancer risk in humans.”
Really? Who wants to take that chance?
The valsartan that is being recalled was made by Zhejiang Huahai Pharmaceutical Company in China. The tainted pills are distributed in the U.S. by three companies:5
- Major Pharmaceuticals
- Teva Pharmaceutical Industries, Ltd.
- Solco Healthcare
If you are on valsartan, check your medication container. Usually the manufacturer and/or distributor is listed on the label. If it isn’t, call your pharmacy and ask for this information.
If your prescription is one that is possibly tainted, call your doctor immediately.
Your physician may switch you to a version of valsartan that is not made in China…or to another medication.
We recommend that you also try one or more of the natural solutions listed below.
They won’t give you cancer. And they may lower your blood pressure enough that you will be able to reduce or eliminate dangerous prescription medications.
5 Natural Blood Pressure Remedies
- CoQ10. It’s a naturally occurring enzyme. It contains antioxidants that lower blood pressure. CoQ10 has no known side effects. The Mayo Clinic recommends up to 360 mg daily. It takes about eight to 12 weeks to see a fall in blood pressure.
- Vitamin D. A study published in The Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology found that the sunshine vitamin reduces blood pressure. And a study at Augusta University in Georgia found that people taking 4,000 IUs of vitamin D daily reduced their arterial stiffness by over 10% within 16 weeks.
- Hibiscus Tea. In a study at Tufts University, participants who drank three cups of a hibiscus tea daily lowered systolic blood pressure by 7 points. That is on par with the effect of prescription medications. The researchers say the phytochemicals in hibiscus are responsible. Look for tea blends that list hibiscus near the top of ingredients.
- Dark Chocolate. A Harvard study found that eating a small square of dark chocolate daily helped lower blood pressure for people with hypertension. The flavonoids in the chocolate cause dilation of the blood vessels. Make sure you stick to unsweetened dark chocolate.
- Flaxseed. This might be the king of natural blood pressure solutions. Canadian researchers found that subjects who ate 30 grams of flaxseed a day for six months lowered their systolic (the upper number) readings by 15 points on average. Their diastolic readings dropped by 7 points. The researchers found that flaxseed’s high alpha-linolenic acid content caused the drop.
Add flaxseed to a salad, smoothie, or protein shake. Make sure you grind up the seeds. If you don’t, your body won’t absorb the nutrients. A coffee grinder or blender works well.
Editor’s Note: Something strange was happening to pilots training to fly F-16 fighter jets. The ones who went into the program with elevated blood pressure were coming out a few weeks later with normal, healthy readings.
They hadn’t taken any medications… Their diets hadn’t changed… And they hadn’t made any changes to their exercise regimens.
Go HERE to discover their secret—and how you could lower your blood pressure up to 15 points using the same trick.
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References:
1 https://www.webmd.com/hypertension-high-blood-pressure/guide/side-effects-high-blood-pressure-medications#2
2 https://www.nytimes.com/2018/07/16/health/fda-blood-pressure-valsartan.html?rref=collection%2Fsectioncollection%2Fhealth&action=click&contentCollection=health®ion=rank&module=package&version=highlights&contentPlacement=2&pgtype=sectionfront
3 https://www.fda.gov/NewsEvents/Newsroom/PressAnnouncements/ucm613532.htm
4 https://www.cnn.com/2018/07/13/health/valsartan-recall-fda-bn/index.html
5 https://www.fda.gov/NewsEvents/Newsroom/PressAnnouncements/ucm613532.htm