How does Fish peptides differ from the drugs?

The ACE inhibiting drugs are emerging as the preferred drug for the treatment of high blood pressure. The reason is that unlike other drug treatments (e.g., diuretics and beta-blockers) ACE inhibitors actually improve heart function and increase blood and oxygen flow to the heart, liver, and kidneys. This effect may explain why ACE inhibitors are the only antihypertensive drugs that appear to reduce the risk of having a heart attack. Unfortunately, they do not have any effect on reducing the risk for strokes.

The down side to the ACE inhibitors are their side effects including the development of a dry night-time cough, dizziness, light-headedness, and headache. ACE inhibitors can also cause potassium build-up and kidney problems, so potassium levels and kidney function should be monitored. And, all of the ACE inhibitors appear to be capable of producing a severe allergic reaction that can be life-threatening.

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ACE inhibitors, generic name (brand name):

• benazepril (Lotensin); captopril (Capoten); captopril/hydrochlorothizaide (Capozide); enalapril maleate (Vasotec); fosinopril sodium (Monopril); lisinopril (Prinivil, Zestril); quinapril/magnesium carbonate (Accupril); ramipril (Altace); trandolapril (Mavik)

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Fish peptides do not appear to produce any side effects according to human safety studies. The typical daily dosage is 1.5 grams, (or 3 tablets daily of PeptAce™ Fish Peptides, or 4 tables a day of Vasotensin™) but even at a daily dosage of 30 grams per day not a single subject experienced any side effect including the dry night-time cough so typical with the ACE inhibitor drugs.

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Why don’t the fish peptides produce side effects?

The probable reason is that its mechanism of action in inhibiting ACE is different than that of the drugs. Research bears this theory out. The drugs basically indiscriminately block ACE by interfering with its action while the fish peptides interact much differently. ACE converts angiotensin I to angiotensin II by cleaving off a small peptide. Drugs work by directly blocking this action. Fish peptides work differently.

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ACE actually reacts with the fish peptides instead of angiotensin. In addition to competing with angiotensin via this effect, fish peptides are transformed into even more potent inhibitors of ACE. Technically speaking, fish peptides are considered a “pro-drug.” This term is used to describe substances that are converted in the body to more active compounds. While the Fish peptides have shown good ACE inhibition, the transformed exert an 800% greater activity.

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Do fish peptides lower blood pressure in people with normal blood pressure?

No, because of the unique and amazing mechanism of action of Fish peptides does not lower blood pressure in people with normal blood pressure – even when administered at levels 20 times greater than the dosage level that lowers blood pressure in people with high blood pressure. Drugs just don’t work in this manner and as a result often cause side effects when taken at higher dosages.

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Are there other naturally occurring peptides that inhibit ACE?

Yes, there are other sources of peptides that have been shown to inhibit ACE including peptides from milk, chicken, and other fish. What makes supplements like PeptAce™ and Vasotensin™ Fish Peptides unique and superior to these other is that while other show activity in test tube studies when they are administered to animals (or humans) they are not active. The difference appears to be the fact that the fish peptides are absorbed intact when taken orally while the others are broken down by digestive enzymes.

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What kind of clinical effect has been seen with PeptAce™ and Vasotensin™?

Three clinical studies have shown that the fish peptide products exert significant blood pressure lowering effects in people with high blood pressure (hypertension).2-4 The material appears to be effective in about two thirds of people with high blood pressure – about the same percentage as many prescription drugs. (NOTE: People who do not respond to Fish Peptides after a two month trial should try Celery Seed Extract [discussed below]). The degree of blood pressure reduction in these studies was quite significant, typically reducing the systolic by at least 10 mm Hg and the diastolic by 7 mm Hg in people with borderline and mild hypertension. Greater reductions will be seen in people with higher initial blood pressure readings.

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What is the proper dosage?

For dosage please see manufacturer’s instructions as those are amended from time to time. Neither one of the two produce affect blood pressure in people without hypertension.

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What else should a person do to help lower blood pressure?

Just like other degenerative diseases including atherosclerosis, the development of high blood pressure is closely related to lifestyle and dietary factors. Some of the important lifestyle factors which may cause high blood pressure include stress, lack of exercise, and smoking. Some of the dietary factors include: obesity; high sodium to potassium ratio; low fibre, high sugar diet; high saturated fat and low omega-3 fatty acid intake; and a diet low in calcium, magnesium and vitamin C.

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Special foods for people with high blood pressure include celery, garlic and onions, nuts and seeds or their oils for their essential fatty acid content, cold-water fish (salmon, mackerel, etc.) or fish oil products concentrated for EPA and DHA, green leafy vegetables for their rich source of calcium and magnesium, whole grains and legumes for their fibre, and foods rich in vitamin C like broccoli and citrus fruits.

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Celery Seed Extract is often an important companion to a products like PeptAce™ and Vasotensin™. It contains a substance – 3-n-butylphthalide (3nB) – that can also lower blood pressure. In animals, a very small amount of 3nB lowered blood pressure by 12 to 14%.5 3nB appears to help lower blood pressure by both acting as a diuretic and vasodilator in a similar manner to drugs known as calcium-channel blockers. The dosage for Celery Seed Extract is based upon the level of 3nB. For the extract standardized to contain 85% 3nB the dosage is 150mg daily.

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Garlic and onions are also important foods for lowering blood pressure. In addition, taking a garlic supplement that delivers at least 4,000 mcg of allicin daily may also be of benefit. 6 Anyone with high blood pressure should also be on a high potency multiple vitamin and mineral formula to insure optimal levels of key nutrients, especially magnesium.

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Can I take Fish Peptides if I am on blood pressure lowering drugs?

Yes. There are no known adverse effects with PeptAce™ or Vasotensin™ including adverse drug reactions. PeptAce™ and Vasotensin™ will not lower blood pressure below the normal range even in people on blood pressure lowering drugs.

Should I stop taking my blood pressure medicines and switch to Fish Peptides?

No. Do not stop taking any medication unless advised to do so by your physician. PeptAce™ and Vasotensin™ can be used in conjunction with your medication. If appropriate, after two weeks of use your doctor
may reduce the dosage of your medication based upon stabilization of blood pressure in the normal
range.

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Final comments:

High blood pressure should not be taken lightly. By keeping your blood pressure in the normal range, you can not only improve the length of your life, but also the quality of your life as well. This statement is especially true if natural measures rather than drugs are used to attain proper blood pressure.

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Both PeptAce™ or Vasotensin™ are available in the online store.

 

 

 

[1] This article is an adaptation of an article by Dr Murray. This adaptation includes references to other similar products that I recommend to my clients. You can read the original article here

[2] . Fujita H,Yoshikawa M. LKPNM: a prodrug-type ACE-inhibitory peptide derived from fish protein.
Immunopharmacology 1999;44:123-7.

[3] Fujita H,Yamagami T, Ohshima K. Effect of an ace-inhibitory agent, katuobishi oligopeptide, in the spontaneously