“Probiotics” is becoming a buzz word in the alternative health care arena, but what exactly are “probiotics” and can they lower blood pressure naturally?

The World Health defines probiotics as “live microorganisms which when administered in adequate amounts confer a health benefit on the host”. Fermented dairy products, especially yogurt with live cultures, often contain probiotics.

So, can probiotics lower blood pressure? A small study in 2005, which  involved 40 subjects with high-normal blood pressure and 40 with mild hypertension, had promising results. The participants took 6 test tablets (12 g) containing powdered fermented milk with L. helveticus CM4 daily for 4 weeks or a placebo pill. By the end of the study the high-normal blood pressure group saw a statistically significant drop of 5mmHg diastolic when compared to the placebo group and those with the mild hypertension saw a significant drop of  11.2 mmHg systolic. While this was a small study, the researchers concluded, “Daily ingestion of the tablets containing powdered fermented milk with L. helveticus CM4 in subjects with high-normal blood pressure or mild hypertension reduces elevated blood pressure without any adverse effects.”

More research is needed before any definitive statements about probiotics and blood pressure can be made, but future studies could prove interesting.

Sources:

Effect of Powdered Fermented Milk with Lactobacillus helveticus on Subjects with High-Normal Blood Pressure or Mild Hypertension
Kotaro Aihara, MSc, Osami Kajimoto, MD, PhD, Hiroshi Hirata, MD, Rei Takahashi, MD and Yasunori Nakamura, PhD. Journal of the American College of Nutrition, Vol. 24, No. 4, 257-265 (2005). Can view online at http://www.jacn.org/cgi/content/full/24/4/257.

The Use of Probiotics in the Treatment and Prevention of Disease.Dwain M. Daniel, D.C. ChiroACCESS Published on May 6, 2010. Can view online at http://www.chiroaccess.com/Articles/The-Use-of-Probiotics-in-the-Treatment-and-Prevention-of-Disease.aspx?id=0000158