Cardiologist Links Beetroot Supplements to Severe Neurologic Symptoms
Dr. Melissa Walton-Shirley, a retired cardiologist, details her personal experience using beetroot supplements to manage resistant hypertension. While initial studies suggest beetroot can lower blood pressure by boosting nitric oxide, her case highlights potential risks. She developed severe neurologic symptoms, including ataxia and visual disturbances, which resolved after stopping the supplements. She attributes this to the trigeminovascular cascade triggered by increased cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP). The article serves as a cautionary tale for patients and clinicians regarding over-the-counter nitrate sources.