Ask Dr. Mike: Trinity of Nutrients for Blood Pressure, Avoiding Gluten & Mega Cleanses

Here you'll find the answers to a wealth of health and wellness questions posed by Healthy Talk fans. Listen in because what you know helps ensure healthy choices you can live with. Today on Healthy Talk, you wanted to know:

You mention on a past show the trinity of nutrients for blood pressure. What were those again?

Dr. Mike previously discussed three nutrients -- pomegranate, grape seed extract and milk peptides -- that are proven to safely and effectively lower blood pressure (if you missed the segment, you can listen here). However, Dr. Mike recently has been following the research on oil leaf extract. It's not part of the trinity, but can drop your systolic (top number) pressure.

What are your thoughts on mega cleanses?

Dr. Mike believes that you can overdo cleanses, especially colon cleanses, which can disrupt your body's digestion and ability to absorb nutrients. Since this can happen, Dr. Mike doesn't think you need to be doing cleanses all the time.

Dr. Mike does do a liver cleanse about twice a year by using milk thistle, passion fruit extract, and artichoke extract. On occasion, Dr. Mike will use a month's supply of modified citrus pectin, or since that can be costly, oral EDTA.

My sister is obsessed with gluten. She avoids it and tries to get me to do the same. Do I really need to run from wheat and gluten?

Unless you suffer from celiac disease, gluten-intolerance, or show  any symptoms after eating gluten or wheat, NO.

If you have a health question or concern, Dr. Mike encourages you to write him at askdrmikesmith@radiomd.com so he can provide you with support and helpful advice.