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Hi, Recently I Have Been Taking Chinese Herbs With Quite
Question: Hi,
Recently I have been taking Chinese herbs with quite an amount of liquorice root with Glycyrrhizin.
I have read that taking glycyrrhizin can increase blood pressure but can the effects be completely counteracted by supplementing with magnesium? I would be taking 0.5g if liquorice root per day.
Thankyou,
Regards
Recently I have been taking Chinese herbs with quite an amount of liquorice root with Glycyrrhizin.
I have read that taking glycyrrhizin can increase blood pressure but can the effects be completely counteracted by supplementing with magnesium? I would be taking 0.5g if liquorice root per day.
Thankyou,
Regards
Brief Answer:
I would explain as follows:
Detailed Answer:
Hello!
Welcome to Ask a Doctor service!
I understand your concern and would explain that the dose of liquorice that you are taking is really low ( the average dose is usually 3-4g per day).
Doses above 5g per day can lead to high blood pressure.
Anyway, some magnesium supplements would be OK.
I would also recommend taking also potassium supplements, as liquorice is known to cause low potassium levels if taken for a long time, especially in high doses.
Hope you will find this answer helpful!
I remain at your disposal for any further questions whenever you need!
Kind regards,
Dr.Ilir Sharka, Cardiologist
I would explain as follows:
Detailed Answer:
Hello!
Welcome to Ask a Doctor service!
I understand your concern and would explain that the dose of liquorice that you are taking is really low ( the average dose is usually 3-4g per day).
Doses above 5g per day can lead to high blood pressure.
Anyway, some magnesium supplements would be OK.
I would also recommend taking also potassium supplements, as liquorice is known to cause low potassium levels if taken for a long time, especially in high doses.
Hope you will find this answer helpful!
I remain at your disposal for any further questions whenever you need!
Kind regards,
Dr.Ilir Sharka, Cardiologist
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Prasad
Thankyou Dr. Ilir,
My liquorice is in the form Glycyrrhiza glabra root & rhizome. I am unsure if the glycyrrhizin concentration is higher than for typical liquorice root.
Yes I meant potassium supplements and not magnesium. Does the potassium have to be in any form or particular dosage? I have potassium gluconate at 99mg.
Lastly does the liquorice root raise blood pressure by reducing potassium levels only or are there other factors so that taking potassium supplements alone will not completely counteract the effects on blood pressure through the taking of liquorice root?
Thankyou
My liquorice is in the form Glycyrrhiza glabra root & rhizome. I am unsure if the glycyrrhizin concentration is higher than for typical liquorice root.
Yes I meant potassium supplements and not magnesium. Does the potassium have to be in any form or particular dosage? I have potassium gluconate at 99mg.
Lastly does the liquorice root raise blood pressure by reducing potassium levels only or are there other factors so that taking potassium supplements alone will not completely counteract the effects on blood pressure through the taking of liquorice root?
Thankyou
Brief Answer:
I would explain as follows:
Detailed Answer:
Hello again!
Thank you for the additional information !
Glycyrrhyzia and Liquorice are quite similar ( it helps sweat Liquorice).
Anyway, Liquorice leads to increased high blood pressure in other ways ( it has aldosterone like effects).
The loss of potassium is a different adverse effect.
So, as long as you are taking Liquorice, it is ok to take potassium supplements too, but it will not oppose the increase in blood pressure values.
Anyway, you are taking a low dose of Liquorice and I don't think that it will lead to high blood pressure values.
The amount of potassium that you are taking is OK.
Anyway I would recommend closely monitoring your blood pressure values and checking your potassium plasma levels after a month.
Hope you will find this answer helpful!
Wishing all the best,
Dr.Iliri
I would explain as follows:
Detailed Answer:
Hello again!
Thank you for the additional information !
Glycyrrhyzia and Liquorice are quite similar ( it helps sweat Liquorice).
Anyway, Liquorice leads to increased high blood pressure in other ways ( it has aldosterone like effects).
The loss of potassium is a different adverse effect.
So, as long as you are taking Liquorice, it is ok to take potassium supplements too, but it will not oppose the increase in blood pressure values.
Anyway, you are taking a low dose of Liquorice and I don't think that it will lead to high blood pressure values.
The amount of potassium that you are taking is OK.
Anyway I would recommend closely monitoring your blood pressure values and checking your potassium plasma levels after a month.
Hope you will find this answer helpful!
Wishing all the best,
Dr.Iliri
Note: For further queries related to coronary artery disease and prevention, click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Prasad
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