disclosure

Better Health Update #36 - Monte Kline, Clinical Nutritionist

High Blood Pressure

Suppose you are running a certain volume of water through a 3/4 inch garden hose. You observe a certain pressure of water indicated by the flow of water out the end of the hose. But what if you keep the volume of flowing water constant and change the hose to a 1/2 inch diameter. Does the pressure increase? You bet!

This everyday illustration defines the problem of hypertension, commonly known as high blood pressure. Narrower (smaller diameter) arteries mean higher blood pressure. It's estimated that 40 million Americans have high blood pressure. Bottom line, hypertension means your heart must work harder pumping the blood through your circulatory system. Persistent high blood pressure may lead to heart failure or stroke.

HYPERTENSION DEFINITION

Blood pressure is measured with a blood pressure cuff, or sphygmomanometer. Two readings are determined: the systolic blood pressure measures the pressure when the heart is pumping (heart contracted), while the diastolic pressure measures the pressure when the heart is relaxed. Readings are interpreted as follows:

120/80 Ideal
110/70 - 140/90 Normal range
140/90 - 160/95 Borderline hypertension
Over 160/95 Definite hypertension

Most authorities feel that a single blood pressure reading in your doctor's office isn't enough to be sure about your blood pressure. Repeated readings throughout the day are really necessary to see if the pattern holds.

Let me also add that your doctor's office is the very worst place to measure your blood pressure! Most people are uptight in a doctor's office, so their blood pressure is high. Often when the same person is repeatedly tested at home, they're fine. Thus, the best way to test your blood pressure is with your own blood pressure cuff at home. Even the electronic ones are not very expensive and are essential if you have a problem in this area.

HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE SYMPTOMS

Hypertension may be indicated by headache, sweating, rapid pulse, shortness of breath, dizziness, and vision problems. However, the most common symptom of high blood pressure is . . . nothing! It's often asymptomatic, such that the only way you know is by proper testing.

CAUSES OF HYPERTENSION

1. Arteriosclerosis - In this condition the blood vessels harden from calcium deposits and thicken, thus increasing the pressure of the blood flow. If the deposits are instead fatty material, the condition is called atherosclerosis, but the net effect is the same.

2. Obesity - If your body has excess fat, it's likely to have excess fat in the blood and fatty deposits on the blood vessel walls. The great mass of the fat itself will tend to put extra constriction of the blood vessels. Plus, if your heart has to pump harder to get the blood around, this would also raise the pressure.

3. Lack of Exercise - Our circulatory system is like a network of freeways, streets and back roads. When we are physically inactive, there isn't enough circulation to use those back roads, so they get overgrown with vegetation and become impassable. These farthest reaches of the circulation shut down, leaving fewer blood vessels but the same amount of blood - therefore high blood pressure. Regular aerobic exercise, by contrast, keeps using those back roads, and even extends them further - thus lowering the blood pressure.

4. Emotional Stress - This is undoubtedly one of the greatest causes of hypertension. Type A people, who tend to relentlessly drive themselves toward high achievement, often have high blood pressure. People who are always in a rush to get somewhere or do something, feeling constantly overwhelmed, likewise often have high blood pressure. People in conflict with their spouse, children, relatives, friends, employer, fellow employees, etc. similarly may be producing high blood pressure.

5. High Sodium/High Fat Diet - Most of the typical American junk food diet is high sodium and high fat. Highly salted foods, fried foods, and red meat would be the more common offenders. Studies have shown that vegetarians generally have lower blood pressure than meat eaters. High sodium intake throws off the potassium levels and results in fluid retention. That in turn puts pressure on the blood vessel walls, increasing the blood pressure.

6. Stimulant Usage - Coffee, tea, colas, or chocolate act as stimulants, mainly due to their caffeine content. Increasing the heart rate in a closed system obviously increases the pressure.

7. Sugar Intake - Refined sugar seems to be a cause of almost everything, and, in fact it really is! Richard A. Ahrens, Ph.D., of the University of Maryland published an article in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition in 1974 linking refined sugar consumption with increased blood pressure in both rats and humans.

8. Smoking - Nicotine makes the heart pump faster, thus increasing blood pressure.

9. Cadmium Toxicity - In addition to being a component of tobacco smoke, the heavy metal cadmium may also come from drinking water or industrial sources.

10. Noise - This could fall under the stress category above, as well. To your body, noise represents danger. A noisy working, driving, or other environment maintains a "fight or flight" reaction long after any conscious discomfort from the noise has subsided. One study found that Volvo factory workers in Sweden with noise-induced hearing loss had higher blood pressure.

DRUG APPROACHES

Many people take anti-hypertensive drugs for lowering their blood pressure. Generally these drugs flush out sodium and thus have a diuretic effect. The problem is they also tend to flush out potassium, which is essential for the heart and other systems.

ACE inhibitors prevent certain enzymes from constricting blood vessels, thus lowering blood pressure. Other types of blood pressure medications are also used. Common side-effects are dizziness, drowsiness, blurred vision, headaches, gas, dry mouth, fatigue, stomach upset, difficulty breathing, and skin rash. Thus, natural approaches that lower blood pressure become very attractive.

NATURAL APPROACHES TO HYPERTENSION

1. No Salt Diet - Regular, refined table salt and so-called "sea salt" should be avoiding. Natural Celtic Sea Salt usually helps hypertension due to its trace minerals. It contains all 84 mineral found in ocean water, plus enzymes, and is not adulterated. What is labeled "sea salt" , though made from sea water, is still refined so that it's 98% sodium and chloride. It may also have additives just like table salt.

2. Low Fat Diet - Animal fats, red meat, fried foods, or other heated oils should be avoided. White fish and skinned turkey or chicken are preferable.

3. High Fiber Diet - Fruits, vegetables, and whole grains are high fiber foods. Supplemental fiber in the form of psyllium husk or oat bran may also be helpful.

4. Olive Oil - Daily usage of olive oil, such as on a salad has positive overall cardiovascular effects.

5. Exercise - Regular exercise improves and expands the circulatory system, reducing blood pressure. Just plain walking would be my favorite. I would avoid extremely strenuous exercises, at least until all cardiovascular indicators are normalized.

6. Cleansing Diet - A cleansing diet, such as our 7 Day Cleanse, is excellent for general detoxifying of the body and lowering blood pressure.

7. Check Your Prescriptions - If you are taking prescription drugs, check to make sure increased blood pressure is not a possible side-effect.

8. Stop Smoking - High blood pressure in a smoker is a wake-up call to action. If you can't quit on your own, go through a stop smoking program.

9. Garlic Supplement - Garlic has a wonderful, documented effect of lowering blood pressure. 1-2 capsules or tablets with each meal is usually appropriate.

10. EPA Supplement - Eicosapentaenoic acid, generally derived from fish oils, has been documented to help high cholesterol, as well as other cardiovascular problems including hypertension.

11. GLA Supplement - Gamma linoleic acid, as found in borage oil, Evening Primrose oil, and flax seed oil, provides good, healthy fatty acids, for improving the cardiovascular system.

12. Vitamin E - Vitamin E has long been regarded as a primary nutrient for a healthy cardiovascular system.

13. Capsicum - Capsicum, or cayenne pepper herb, has a dilating effect on the blood vessels, thus improving circulation and lowering blood pressure.

14. Niacin - Vitamin B3 or niacin, likewise is known for a dilating effect on the blood vessels, improving both high cholesterol and high blood pressure. Regular niacin causes an uncomfortable "flushing" sensation for up to 30 minutes after taking. I generally use the buffered form of niacin instead - niacinamide.

15. Coenzyme Q-10 - This vitamin-like anti-oxidant is part of every cell and has been promoted as a remedy for almost any problem you want to name. I primarily use Coenzyme Q-10 for cardiovascular problems. It is known to reduce blood pressure.

In addition to the above supplements, I would always recommend a good multi-vitamin and multi-mineral as the foundation for your more specific nutritional supplementation program.

The above supplements are possibilities. As always, I determine which of the possibilities are the right supplements for a given individual. Testing at the clinic determines which are the appropriate supplements for you.
As one final point, stress reduction is critical for resolving hypertension. There are two divisions here: (1) Learning how to relate to difficult situations you can't change, so you're not stressed by them, and (2) Making lifestyle changes to reduce your stress - job, living location, indebtedness, or anything else that's negotiable.

DISCLAIMER: The information contained in this publication is for educational purposes only. It is not intended to diagnose illness nor prescribe treatment. Rather, this material is designed to be used in cooperation with your nutritionally-oriented health professional to deal with your personal health problems. Should you use this information on your own, you are prescribing for yourself, which is your constitutional right, but neither the author nor publisher assume responsibility.