Articles ¬ The Source ¬ Hypertension

Hypertension or high blood pressure is a very common health issue and often goes without symptoms or diagnosis for years. Hypertension can increase the risk of cardiovacular disease and lead to death, but can be controlled for most people by some basic lifestyle and dietary changes.

If you have hypertension have your cholesterol tested to make sure that it isn't a factor in this problem. Greatly decrease or eliminate your intake of the following as they can increase blood pressure; caffeine, sugar, alcohol and nicotine. Diets that are low in sodium and high in potassium are important to keep the blood pressure low. Decreasing foods that are pickled or processed will greatly decrease sodium intake. For more potassium, increase foods such as potatoes, avocadoes, citrus fruit, bananas, kiwi, corn, and tomatoes.

Being even moderately overweight increases the work that the heart must do. It also increases blood insulin levels, which in turn increases sodium retention and therefore causes an increase in blood pressure. Losing weight can bring high blood pressure under control for most people.

Learn when to say "no" and schedule time daily for a recreation that you enjoy or time to just "be". Relaxation techniques such as meditation, biofeedback, yoga, tai chi, and hypnosis can be very helpful in teaching you how to relax.

Exposure to heavy metals may also cause hypertension. Lead, for example, may be ingested by drinking soft water, and cadmium can be found in high levels in cigarettes. The best way to test for heavy metal toxicity is by hair analysis.

It's been found that many people who have high blood pressure also have low Calcium and Magnesium levels. Calcium supplementation for adults should be 1000-1200 mgs, and Magnesium 500-600 mgs daily. They should both be taken in either citrate, aspartate, or ascorbate form. If taking these minerals in supplement form, they should also be accompanied with at least 400 IU daily of Vitamin D.

Most people who have hypertension have also been shown to be deficient in CoEnzyme Q10, a substance that is normally made in the body. For best therapeutic effect CoEnzyme Q10 should be from natural source and water soluble. A dosage of at least 100mg daily is necessary to use for hypertension.

Not very long ago it was determined that the Homocysteine level in a person's blood is just as important to predict caridiovascular disease risk as cholesterol. The B vitamins are important in keeping Homocysteine levels normal and also help the body relax and act as natural diuretics. The B vitamins should be taken together in a complex, 50 mgs once to twice daily.

The herb Dandelion is an excellent diuretic, eliminating excess fluid from the body. Unlike most chemical diuretics, however, it is high in potassium, which can decrease blood pressure in itself. Dandelion can be found in tincture, drop, and pill forms, or as a dried herb made into a tea.

High blood pressure is potentially very dangerous. If blood pressure has not returned to normal within three months of using any of these recommendations, contact your Naturopathic or holistically oriented medical doctor as soon as possible.

"Did You Know?"

Drinking fluids with your meal dilutes stomach acid making the food sit in the stomach until more acid can be produced. This inevitably leads to gas, bloating and weight gain.

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