Hi Fellow Zoners!

I submitted a post earlier today in another thread which contained the details about how I successfully lowered my high blood pressure with the Zone diet and Omega Rx. I thought I'd start a new thread here, for those who might be interested in lowering high blood pressure.

Here’s the story of how I lowered my blood pressure and how I’ve tweaked my fish oil dose.

It was Omega Rx that finally lowered my blood pressure. It was not yet developed when I lost the 100 pounds. Even though I was on 2 high BP meds, was at my ideal body fat% after losing 100 pounds, and had been eating the Zone diet for a good number of years, my blood pressure remained well in the range considered High BP (in the 160’s over high 90’s). My doctors were stumped (both my primary care physician, and a cardiologist he referred me to). They continued trying a variety of high BP med combinations, and were unable to lower it into normal ranges. I tried several brands of fish oil over about a year's time, but to no avail. They did not lower my high BP, and I was having some bad side effects from them. It was then, in late summer of 2001 that, out of frustration, I submitted a request on the Zone site asking if someone could kindly direct me to a source of more in depth info about fish oil (Dr. Sears had not published his books about it yet). I mentioned I was having difficulty taking fish oil. I'd expected maybe to receive some links to fish oil research, but instead I was contacted to see if it would be ok for Dr. Sears set up a phone consultation with me!

Long story short he offered me some Omega Rx, which had not yet been made available to the public. My BP began lowering immediately, within less than an hour of the first dose. With the help of Barry Sears and my primary care doctor, I was off both high BP meds within 2 weeks of beginning Omega RX. By a month later my blood pressure well down into normal ranges. My average BP now remains around 108/70ish. Turns out that I needed a very small dose. Barry worked with me to establish my correct dose over the next few months. The dose was less than 1 capsule of Omega Rx every third day. At the time it was only available in the liquid, not in capsules, so he had me measuring my dose in a baby medicine dropper. Anything more than that that tiny amount would bring on extreme symptoms of producing too many good eicosanoids within an hour or so of taking it. He tried having me use supplemental GLA, but at the time, since Eico RX was not developed. The only way was to use GLA capsules. It didn't work; too much GLA, which caused constipation. So there I was, stuck with my tiny dose of less than 1 capsule every third day. When the capsules became available, we found I was able to tolerate 1 entire capsule every third day. Although 1 cap a day was enough to control my BP, I wanted to take at least the usual maintenance dose (4 caps a day) because I have a strong history of Alzheimer’s in my family, and because I am a cancer survivor. Through the years I kept trying to increase, but even the smallest increase I tired brought on the negative symptoms. The SIP test was not being used back then.

This brings us to 2 years ago when Dr. Sears released his newest fish oils. He though that because of the very small amount of GLA in Eico Rx I might just be able to handle 1 capsule a day. He was right. After 1 month on 1 cap Eico Rx daily, I had the SIP test done, and had great results. Dr. Sears said that all my years of stricter adherence to the Zone diet had kept my inflammation levels low, which reduces the amount of fish oil one needs. He suggested that I try taking 2 caps a day, to see if I could tolerate it (still keeping my family history in mind). It didn’t work. I couldn’t tolerate it; same symptoms of too many good eicosanoids. But, as previously, I didn’t give up. By several months later I was finally able to add a second capsule every third day. Over the next year I kept trying to slowly increase, and got to the point of tolerating 2 capsules of Eico Rx daily. Just a week ago I increased to a third capsule every third day. So far so good. My only symptom right now is looser bowels.


Who knows? One of these years I just might make it to the maintenance dose of 4 caps daily!

Hi Sue,

That's a great story. But it makes me wonder about my particular situation. I have low blood pressure, but am having increasing joint pains. I'm going to start on a high dose of fish oil, 7.5 grams, as Dr. Sears states in the Anti-Inflammatory Zone, but I'm wondering if it will lower my blood pressure even more?

Also, I've been reading on the forums about oatmeal for GLA. Is there a rule of how much you need to eat to balance the omega 3's?

I know I've read that you are supposed to have 1 tablespoon of toasted sesame oil to quench the free radicals released by the omega 3's.

Thanks,
Laura

Thanks Laura!

It's my understanding that fish oil lowers high BP becasue it is a vasodilator (it dilates the blood vessels). If your BP is already low , I wouldn't think fish oil woudl lower it. I've never seen any contraindicaitons to taking fish oil for people with low BP. If you have concern you could ask one of the Zone Labs phone reps, or ask in a Live Zone Chat (upper right of this page).

As I recall, Dr Sears wrote in one of his earlier books that a couple bowls of steel cut oats per week would be appropriate from most people. The easiest way to get the right amount of GLA is by taking Zone Labs' Eico Rx fish oil. Both GLA and toasted sesame oil are ingredients in Eico Rx.

Thanks, Sue,

So a bowl of oatmeal is really 1/3 cup of cooked steel cut oats, right?

Thanks,

Laura

1/3 cup cooked steel cut oats is equal to one block of carbohydrate. You could have 1 cup cooked oats for 3 blocks of carb.

Yes Laura, correct! :-)

<div class='NTForums_Quote'>Posted By Sue on 03/03/2009 4:01 PM

Yes Laura, correct! :-)</div>

Not sure what Sue is agreeing with here...

But, I just checked my math on the block list, and 1/3 cup of cooked oats is equal to a block. So, if you want 2 blocks of steel cut oats, it is 2/3 cup cooked. Or, 3 blocks of steel cut oats is 1 cup.

Hi Cran,

I must have read the word "bowl" as "block".

Sue, you're welcome.

Hi Sue --

I've just read your thread, and am very interested in this, as I have both high blood pressure and high cholesterol. My question to you is, how do you know if and when you can go off the prescription meds? I'm due for a physical, and hope to talk with my GP when I go in. I'm also a bit traumatized at the cost of the Omega-3 Rx (Zone brand), but am thinking you'd not hesitate to recommend it as the best? What do you know about high cholesterol and the Zone diet? As they sometimes run hand-in-hand, I'm wondering if there's anything specific to the cholesterol problem I should be doing, or if the Omega-3 is sufficient for both problems. (I'm also on a cholesterol lowering medication).

I see your name out there on the forums a lot, and do appreciate the time you take to help the newbies along. It's obvious you're dedicated to not only helping yourself, but also helping others!

God bless you,
Linda

Hi Linda!

Thanks so much!

My primary care doctor made the decisions about when and how for me to go of the 2 prescription BP meds I was taking. My high BP lowered quickly within the first week of supplementation with Omega Rx. I was taken off one med immediately, and my doctor lowered the dose of the other one a few days later, tapering me off it completely over the following 2 weeks. That was 7 1/2 years ago, and my BP has since remained at an excellent lower reading. It's usually around 105ish/mid 60's to low 70's, sometimes even a bit lower.

The Zone Diet together with fish oil supplementation will improve your cholesterol profile, resulting in a much better Triglyceride to HDL ratio, which determines the size and density of your LDL particles (higher ratio means smaller denser LDL, meaning not good; lower ratio means larger fluffier LD , which is good). Elimination as much omega 6 fat and saturated fat from your diet as possible will be of great help.


The Zone diet works by lowering your insulin levels. Stations, which are a commonly prescribed drug for cholesterol lowering, raise insulin levels and create more inflammation in the body.

Here's a Zone article that might be of interest to you:

http://www.zonediet.com/tabid/130/i...ed-dr.aspx


Good luck! Keep us updated!

Sue, a few questions in one: it sounds like loose bowels are one symptom of too many good eicosanoids. What are some others?
And if I eat a 3 or more bowls of steelcut oatmeal, hmmm, I may be eating too much?
And, what about tahini, which I adore....good or bad fat?

Hi janet,

You can find all the symptoms of good and bad eicosanoid prooduction in the SIP report (aka ESR report)


The signs of overproduction of good eicosanoids:

very loose stool or diarrhea

fatigue (can also be caused by too many bad eicosanoids, so look at the other symptoms to decide if your fatigue is from too many good or too many bad)

increased intestinal gas



3 bowls a week would be fine for most people. Judge by how you feel.



Tahini is made form sesame seeds, so it's an omega 6 fat to be used more sparingly in the Zone. Not being a toasted sesame oil product, my best guess is that it wouldn't provide the benefits of OG toasted sesame oil.

Thank you for your answers, Sue. (Tahini is so yummy, alas.) but the toasted sesame oil is so good too.

You're welcome!

Yes, I agree. I like them both! Tahini makes a nice salad dressing, wiht a little lemon juice and seasonings

Re: Oatmeal. Is the 1/3 cup of oatmeal uncooked or cooked?

1/3 cup cooked steel cut oats is one carb block.