Anti-inflammatory supplement effect on diastolic pressure in healthcare workers: a single arm cohort study

Objective: Belage®, an anti-inflammatory supplement made with extracts of rosemary and olive, stimulates and increases the activity of the two main antioxidant enzymes: superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GPX). These actions may help to control blood pressure. The main objective of this research was to determine if there was any change in the anthropometric and blood pressure measurements in health personnel when taking Belage®. Methods: This prospective and interventional study was performed at the “Mónica Pretelini Sáenz” Maternal-Perinatal Hospital (HMPMPS), Toluca, Mexico; from July to December 2020. Health workers > 18 years were prescribed Belage® at a rate of 3 g dissolved in 500 ml of water per day. The following variables were measured at baseline and every month for three months: age (years), weight (kg), height (m), systolic blood pressure (SBP) (mmHg), diastolic blood pressure (DBP) (mmHg) and mean blood pressure (MBP) (mmHg). Using the paired t-test, monthly measurements of these variables were compared to the baseline measurements. Results: Eighty-two workers completed the three-month follow-up. Of the total study participants, 13 (15.86%) were men and 69 (84.14%) were women. Significant changes were observed after one month of treatment in Diastolic Blood Pressure (DBP) (P =0.0008), Mean Blood Pressure (MBP) (P =0.00012), Systolic Blood Pressure (SBP) (P = 0.00191), and Body Mass Index (P = 0.0117). Significant changes persisted until the end of the follow-up period. Conclusion: The reductions in blood pressure seen with Belage® use in this study warrant future controlled trials.