This 2021 human study investigated associations between blood pressure and MRI measurements:
“We estimated how a validated measure of brain health related to changes in BP over a period of 12 years. The main findings of this study were:
- All BP measures were associated with older BrainAGE;
- Associations were stronger in men than women;
- Associations were not only detected in hypertensive individuals but across the whole BP range; and
- Individuals with optimal blood pressure (110/70) presented with the lowest BrainAGE.
These findings support the view that maintaining blood pressure in an optimal range (SBP < 115, DBP < 75) across the lifespan starting before mid-life (i.e., in early adulthood and before) is essential to maintain good cerebral health.”
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8523821/ “Optimal Blood Pressure Keeps Our Brains Younger”
I’m making progress on a New Year’s resolution. Here’s how I started 2022:
Current readings show both lower averages and variability:
~12% decreases in average systolic (111 – 126)/126 and diastolic (69 – 78)/78 pressures over 135 days. 🙂 I measure blood pressure every day right after I wake up.
What caused these decreases? Continuing what I was already doing. The top factor is probably that at lunch every day I take 600 mcg of Vitamin K2 MK-7 along with a gram of flax oil.
I started taking K2 this time last year per Vitamin K2 – What can it do? Apparently its effects are gradual and develop slowly. Vitamin K2 and hypertension may also be relevant.
I came across this study from its mention in today’s video: