High blood pressure (hypertension) is a dangerous condition that can lead= to stroke, enlarged heart, congestive heart failure, kidney and eye damage, atherosclerosis hardening of the arteries, and premature death.
According to a recent report released in The New England Journal of Medicine of 16,000 adults surveyed over the age of 24, nearly 30 percent had blood pressure of at least 140/90 and more than one-third of them were unaware of their condition.
Blood pressure refers to the force of the bloodstream against the walls of the arteries as they deliver blood from the heart to the rest of the body. Normal, healthy blood pressure ranges from about 110/80 to as high as 140/90. The higher number refers to systolic pressure, which is the hearts contractions. The second number, the diastolic pressure, measures the rests between heartbeats. Here are the categories to consider when evaluating blood pressure:
Although there are still questions about the roots of essential hypertension, many researchers name two culprits: The typical American diet and lifestyle factors. Following are 9 major factors that can contribute to this potentially deadly condition:
1. High-fat, high-sodium diet . . . Interestingly, vegetarians who normally eat a low-fat, low-sodium diet have a profoundly lower incidence of hypertension than non-vegetarians.
2. Fat imbalance . . . Too much saturated fat in the diet. We need more essential fatty acids to help clear the system of fat solids.
3. Nutritional deficiencies . . . People whose diets are low in potassium, magnesium, calcium and vitamin C are at greater risk of hypertension.
4. Obesity . . . High blood pressure is almost six times more common among overweight people ages 20 to 44, and twice as common in those 45 to 74
5. Smoking . . . Chronic smoking decreases blood flow to the brain, increasing the risk of stroke.
6. Alcohol . . . Heavy drinking is another indicator of high blood pressure.
7. Stress . . . In many instances, stress can be the major factor causing high blood pressure.
8. Atherosclerosis . . . A buildup of fatty deposits can narrow the blood vessels, leading to a rise in blood pressure. The increased resistance means the heart has to work harder to pump blood through the body, placing it under strain.
9. High sugar intake . . . People who had more sugar in their diet had markedly increased blood pressure.
Anti-Hypertensive Diet Guidelines
The following recommendations can help you keep your blood pressure at healthier levels:
For most people, the sodium/potassium ratio is more significant than sodium alone. We should be consuming about five times more potassium than sodium (5:1), but the typical American diet includes half as much potassiumas sodium (1:2).
By eating more POTASSIUM-rich foods, you can reverse the ratio and promote healthy blood pressure. Foods such as bananas, oranges, tangerines, beans, dried peas, and potatoes provide a wealth of natural potassium.
MAGNESIUM is another vital nutrient for blood pressure. It is believed that magnesium activates the bodys cellular membrane pump, which pumps sodium out and potassium into the cells. Some clinical trials have shown that magnesium supplementation reduces blood pressure. Magnesium- rich foods include nuts (especially almonds, cashews, and pecans), rice, bananas, potatoes, wheat germ, kidney and lima beans, peas, soy products, molasses, oat, bran, and fish.
CALCIUM is important. People with high blood pressure are advised to increase Calcium intake and to eat more calcium-rich foods such as nuts, salmon, sardines, low-fat dairy foods, watercress, kale, broccoli, turnip greens, collard greens, and mustard greens.
Here is a list of other nutritional supplements that can help prevent high blood pressure:
Roger Jirves an authorized dealer of the Vitamin Power line of Quality Nutritional Supplements and personal care products.
deep house cleaning Bannockburn ..In a world where heart disorders and diseases are becoming... Read More
Whether you're concerned about cancer, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, or simply... Read More
Detoxifying the body has become an apparent key preventative measure... Read More
If you want to build muscle, lose body fat or... Read More
How Can... Read More
Health is the thing. And no matter how many ways... Read More
The Human Body is in a constant flux with the... Read More
You've heard that old saying: True beauty comes from within.... Read More
Have you ever thought about where your drinking water comes... Read More
Last year I had a number of clients who started... Read More
Vitamin EThere has been a lot of controversy about vitamin... Read More
Vitamins, minerals and other nutrients are essential to the development... Read More
Our bodies are truly incredible machines. What makes cells healthy?... Read More
Chances are you may have had a food product that... Read More
For a considerable amount of time, nutrition has not played... Read More
FOOD (Macro-nutrients)One of the most important aspects of hill walking... Read More
ABC News has recently focused on the possible anti-aging benefits... Read More
Mirror, Mirror on the wall, who's the healthiest of them... Read More
Fibromyalgia is a chronic and potentially life-altering disorder with symptoms... Read More
The question most people think they need an answer to... Read More
One must always keep in mind that copper is not... Read More
In this fast paced world, good nutrition may sound very... Read More
We've heard it not only once or twice or even... Read More
While packages of the artificial sweetener Splenda claim, "made from... Read More
You know about Vitamins A,C, D, E ,and the B's... Read More
kitchen deep cleaning Winnetka ..Niacin, also called nicotinic acid, is a member of the... Read More
"All truth passes through three stages. First, it is ridiculed.... Read More
I don't understand people sometimes. You know, there is a... Read More
I would like to raise a question: Is Rejuvenation possible... Read More
You must add some fresh cherries, which are now in... Read More
Post nasal drip is a sensation of mucous build up... Read More
Spring is in the air and ? summer is around... Read More
For a considerable amount of time, nutrition has not played... Read More
THE RISKWhen you consume food that's high in acid or... Read More
You would probably think that I was writing a lot... Read More
Here's food for thought! Did you know the average restaurant... Read More
It's 5:30 p.m. and you're heading home after a long,... Read More
The fact that diet directly affects behaviour is no news,... Read More
"What exercises can I do to ?? As fitness professional... Read More
The most incredible thing you can do for yourself is... Read More
Food addiction isn't a problem. Pretending like you can't live... Read More
Americans are literally running out of time. Achieving a work-life... Read More
Organic farming is the production of food using all natural... Read More
Some of the things you think you know that just... Read More
Okay, before we start, let me explain the purpose of... Read More
Media coverage of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) has incited... Read More
Did you know the average American gains 5-7 pounds every... Read More
During a recent discussion with my father about low carb... Read More
Carbohydrates - found in grains, breads, pasta, and sugar, as... Read More
Meal sizes and frequency are very important. Over the years... Read More
Nutrition |