Do Vitamin Mineral Supplements such as Potassium, Calcium or Magnesium Help Lower Blood Pressure?

Do Vitamin Mineral Supplements such as Potassium, Calcium or Magnesium Help Lower Blood Pressure?

So far, research has shown that potassium does lower blood pressure. Studies have not indicated that calcium and magnesium supplements prevent high blood pressure. Here's the latest:

Potassium helps to prevent and control blood pressure. Be sure to get enough potassium in the foods you eat. Some good sources are various fruits, vegetables, dairy foods, and fish.

Foods High in Potassium Food Serving Size Potassium (mg) Apricots, dried 10 halves 407 Avocados, raw 1 ounce 180 Bananas, raw 1 cup 594 Beets, cooked 1 cup 519 Brussel sprouts, cooked 1 cup 504 Cantaloupe 1 cup 494 Dates, dry 5 dates 271 Figs, dry 2 figs 271 Kiwi fruit, raw 1 medium 252 Lima beans 1 cup 955 Melons, honeydew 1 cup 461 Milk, fat free or skim 1 cup 407 Nectarines 1 nectarine 288 Orange juice 1 cup 496 Oranges 1 orange 237 Pears (fresh) 1 pear 208 Peanuts dry roasted, without salt 1 ounce 187 Potatoes, baked, flesh and skin 1 potato 1081 Prune juice 1 cup 707 Prunes, dried 1 cup 828 Raisins 1 cup 1089 Spinach, cooked 1 cup 839 Tomato products, canned, sauce 1 cup 909 Winter squash 1 cup 896 Yogurt plain, skim milk 8 ounces 579 Values were obtained from the USDA Nutrient Database for Standard References, Release 15 for Potassium, K (mg) content of selected foods per common measure. http://www.nal.usda.gov/fnic/foodcomp/Data/SR15/wtrank/wt_rank.html Back to Q&A on Other Factors Affecting Blood Pressure

Calcium and Magnesium. These nutrients have not been consistently shown to prevent high blood pressure, but are important nutrients for overall good health. Good sources of calcium are diary foods such as milk, yogurt, and cheese. Be sure to choose skim or lowfat varieties. Lowfat and nonfat dairy products have more calcium than the high fat versions.

Foods High in Calcium Food Serving Size Calcium (mg) Broccoli, raw 1 cup 42 Cheese, cheddar 1 oz 204 Milk, fat free or skim 1 cup 301 Perch 3 oz 116 Salmon 3 oz 181 Sardine 3 oz 325 Spinach, cooked 1 cup 245 Turnip greens, cooked 1 cup 197 Tofu, soft 1 piece 133 Yogurt plain, skim milk 8 oz container 452 Values were obtained from the USDA Nutrient Database for Standard References, Release 15 for Calcium, Ca (mg) content of selected foods per common measure. http://www.nal.usda.gov/fnic/foodcomp/Data/SR15/wtrank/wt_rank.html Back to Q&A on Other Factors Affecting Blood Pressure

You should get enough magnesium if you follow a healthy diet. Magnesium is found in whole grains, green leafy vegetables, nuts, and dry peas and beans

Foods High in Magnesium Food Serving Size Magnesium (mg) Beans, black 1 cup 120 Broccoli, raw 1 cup 22 Halibut fillet 170 Nuts, peanuts 1 oz 64 Okra, frozen 1 cup 94 Oysters 3 oz 49 Plantain, raw 1 medium 66 Rockfish 1 fillet 51 Scallop 6 large 55 Seeds, pumpkin and squash 1 oz (142 seeds) 151 Soy milk 1 cup 47 Spinach, cooked 1 cup 157 Tofu block 37 Whole grain cereal, ready-to-eat cup 24 Whole grain cereal, cooked 1 cup 56 Whole wheat bread 1 slice 24 Values were obtained from the USDA Nutrient Database for Standard References, Release 15 for Magnesium, Mg (mg) content of selected foods per common measure. http://www.nal.usda.gov/fnic/foodcomp/Data/SR15/wtrank/wt_rank.html Back to Q&A on Other Factors Affecting Blood Pressure

source: http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/hbp/prevent/factors/supls.htm