The primary purpose of this project is to assess the efficacy (effectiveness) of plant-based nitrate tablets to elevate nitric oxide in your system as measured by saliva and effect on lowering blood pressure (BP), supporting blood vessel function in men and women with hypertension.

This clinical trial is to assess the efficacy of plant-based bioequivalent Nitric Oxide supplement for improving blood pressure and endothelial reactivity over a 12 weeks intervention period in individuals with metabolic syndrome. The study also examines the effect of plant-based bioequivalent Nitric Oxide supplement on other markers of cardiovascular function and cardiovascular disease risk including Total, LDL and HDL-Cholesterol, Triglycerides, and a multitude of inflammatory markers.

Inclusion Criteria:

• age 40-75 years
• Hypertension >130/85 mmHg; men and women, 1:1 and stable medicated hypertensives
• Subjects must provide written informed consent after the scope and nature of the investigation has been explained to them

Exclusion Criteria:

• Any unstable medical, psychiatric or substance abuse disorder that in the opinion of the investigator or principal investigator is likely to affect the subject's ability to complete the study or precludes the subject's participation in the study
• Weight in excess of 250 pounds
• Bleeding disorder
• History of known coronary artery disease, myocardial infarction, stroke or life-threatening arrhythmia within the prior six months
• NYHA Class II- IV heart failure
• History of malignancy within the last 5 years (other than skin cancer) or evidence of active cancer which would require concomitant cancer chemotherapy
• Serum creatinine > 1.4 mg/dl
• Triglycerides > 400 at visit 1
• Drug or alcohol abuse, or current intake of more than 14 standard drinks per week
• Concurrent enrollment in another placebo-controlled trial
• Partial ileal bypass or known gastrointestinal disease limiting drug absorption
• Current tobacco use
• Current use of anticoagulants (except for anti-platelet agents)
• Renal failure
• History of hypertensive encephalopathy or cerebrovascular accident
• Hematological or biochemical values at screening outside the reference ranges considered as clinically significant in the opinion of the investigator or PI
• Pregnancy