Targeted Disease Management

Hypertension

Hypertension affects more than 74 million Americans. Damage to the vascular system due to chronically elevated blood pressure can develop over years before disease is detected. If not managed properly, it increases the risk of stroke. Hypertension is the result of a failure in the auto-regulation of blood pressure in response to fluctuations in blood volume and capillary resistance. The auto-regulatory mechanisms responsible for maintaining blood pressure involve the activity of neurotransmitters that mediate the activity of the autonomic nervous system.

Hypertension alters the requirements for nutritional components which are utilized to maintain optimal levels of the neurotransmitters that contribute to normal autonomic function. As a result, patients with hypertension may develop deficiencies of arginine and choline, dietary precursors of the neurotransmitters nitric oxide and acetylcholine, as well as of the amino acids histidine and glutamine which have neurotransmitter activity. Addressing the changes in these nutritional requirements may reduce the risk of life-threatening complications resulting from the damaging effects of chronic elevated blood pressure on the arteries, heart, brain, kidneys, and eyes.

Clinical studies have indicated that patients with hypertension can effectively manage their blood pressure by restoring the balance of neurotransmitters that regulate autonomic function. Physician Therapeutics medical food products are scientifically formulated to address the nutritional requirements of disease, and can be used to restore the neurotransmitter balance needed to safely and effectively manage hypertension.