My previous blog discussed why 80% of heart disease is preventable, why managing blood pressure is a critical part of a heart healthy strategy, and why the Grape Seed Extract in Olivino Essential helps maintain a healthy blood pressure.
This blog will focus on why our proprietary Tomato Extract is also a key blood pressure-lowering ingredient in Olivino Essential. But before we get to that, let’s review some basic blood pressure principles.
Blood Pressure Basics
High blood pressure, also known as hypertension, happens when the force of the blood pushing against the walls of your blood vessels is too high. This can lead to other serious problems such as heart attacks and stroke. High blood pressure is often called the "silent killer" because it typically has no noticeable symptoms until it causes significant damage to the heart, arteries, or other organs.
Nearly 50% of U.S. adults have high blood pressure [1]. Many don’t even know they have it. Check out the chart below to find out whether your blood pressure is in the healthy range:
Why is the Tomato Extract in Olivino Essential Superior?
Because the source is Lyc-O-Mato®, a proprietary tomato extract derived from a unique, traceable, non-GMO tomato variety. Lyc-O-Mato is the most studied lycopene-based extract in the world [2]. And although lycopene is a key ingredient, there are several additional plant compounds that also benefit cardiovascular health. These include the Vitamins A and E; the natural pigments Phytoene and Phytofluene (which help protect the body from oxidative stress); and finally, Phytosterols--compounds that can help lower bad cholesterol levels by blocking the cholesterol absorbed from food.
This unique collection of natural tomato compounds works synergistically to provide a “reservoir of wellness” for our bodies, enabling us to fight oxidative stress, reduce inflammation, improve mitochondrial function, and help maintain telomere length. Telomeres are protective caps at the ends of your DNA strands that help keep your cells healthy. They act like the plastic tips on shoelaces, preventing the DNA from fraying or getting damaged. As we age, these telomeres get shorter, which is linked to the aging process.
Lyc-O-Mato: Powerful Defense Against Cellular Damage
The proprietary Tomato Extract in Olivino Essential has been clinically documented to lower blood pressure in numerous clinical trials. How does it work? A few of the mechanisms are discussed below.
1. Antioxidant Effects. Antioxidants play a key role in neutralizing free radicals--unstable molecules that can damage cells and tissues. Chronic oxidative stress (an imbalance between free radicals and antioxidants) contributes to inflammation and damage to blood vessels, both of which can contribute to high blood pressure.
2. Vasodilation. This refers to the widening of blood vessels, which thereby improves blood flow and decreases blood pressure. Lyc-O-Mato increases the production of substances like nitric oxide that regulate vasodilation. More nitric oxide causes the relaxation and expansion of blood vessels, reducing the resistance that the heart has to overcome to pump blood.
3. Inhibition of Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme (ACE). ACE plays a critical role in regulating blood pressure. When activated, ACE converts angiotensin I into angiotensin II, a peptide that causes blood vessels to constrict and raises blood pressure. Lycopene and other compounds found in Lyc-O-Mato have been shown to possess ACE-inhibiting properties. By doing so, Lyc-O-Mato helps prevent the production of angiotensin II, thus reducing vasoconstriction and lowering blood pressure. This effect is similar to that of certain classes of blood pressure medications known as ACE inhibitors, which are commonly prescribed for individuals with hypertension.
In Summary
The combination of antioxidant effects, vasodilation, improved endothelial function, and ACE inhibition make Lyc-O-Mato an effective natural ingredient for managing blood pressure. Boost your natural approach to maintaining a healthy blood pressure with the power of tomatoes in Olivino Essential!
[2] https://www.lycored.com/lycomato/