Saturday, November 26, 2011

Foods / Activities That Are Sure to Lower Your Blood Pressure

                                             
                                                             Herbs
       
            Spices           
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          
You don't always need to take medications to lower your blood pressure. By making a few lifestyle changes, you can lower your blood pressure and reduce your risk of heart disease at the same time.
If you've been diagnosed with high blood pressure (the top number being 140 or above and the bottom number at 90 or above), you might be consider seeing your doctor about taking medication to bring those numbers down. The perfect number is usually said to be 120/70 by-the-way.

As you may know, I have been taking a daily regiment of Blood Pressure (B/P) medication since the spring of 2004.  Even though I took the prescribed medication every day, I had the unhappy experience of a ruptured brain aneurism (a stroke) in mid-November of 2005; a heart attack in early April of 2006; and most damaging of all, two additional ruptured brain aneurisms in June of 2008, which initially rendered me with the in-ability to speak or walk.

Following several of months of therapy I can now walk, but only short distances, and speak but not clearly; I still have the ability to use my left arm / hand, but it is much easier to type for example with my un-afflicted right hand.

In all honesty, prior to these unfortunate events, I had the mistaken belief that medication was a sure cure for the disease of high BP.  I’m living proof that I was wrong.

You would be right to guess that I am still on a daily regiment of medication, which has undoubtedly insured that my BP average (115/84) of the past 3 days has kept me among the living.  

Past experience has taught me however that medication is no always enough. Therefore be advised that the following information is for us both:

First; we should realize that lifestyle plays a key role in treating high blood pressure. BP usually increases as weight increases. So losing just 10 pounds can help reduce your blood pressure. As a general rule, the more weight you lose, the lower your blood pressure. Losing weight also helps blood pressure medications that you may be taking work better.

Second; regular physical activity, at least 30 to 60 minutes most days of the week is a good thing.  If you haven't been active recently, increasing your level of exercise can lower your blood pressure within a matter of just a few weeks.

Third; by eating a diet that is rich in whole grains, fruits, vegetables and low-fat dairy products as well as cutting back on saturated fat and cholesterol is a huge plus.

Forth; keep in mind, that even a small reduction in the sodium (salt) in your diet can reduce blood pressure so limit daily sodium intake to 2,300 milligrams (mg) a day but 1,500 mg a day or less is best if you are 51 years of age or older and most certainly keep it at this lower level if you have been diagnosed with high blood pressure.

Fifth; you already know that too much alcohol is bad for your health, but in small amounts, it can potentially lower your blood pressure. As a general rule one drink a day for ladies and no more than two drinks a day for men is about right.

Sixth; nicotine in tobacco products can raise your blood pressure, even if the source is secondhand smoke or smokeless tobacco, in no case is nicotine good for your health.

Seventh; caffeine’s role regarding blood pressure is still debatable. Drinking caffeinated beverages, (such as coffee, tea, or cola) can temporarily cause a spike in your blood pressure so moderate consumption is usually best.   It's not really clear whether the adverse effect is temporary or long term. In other words, reactions seem to vary from person to person and you should monitor your own BP so as to find out.

If you are like me, the type of food you eat is the most difficult aspect of trying to maintain a healthy blood pressure level ... Often times, I am completely in the dark as to what foods are considered good or bad.  For example, throughout my youth, I recall that all dairy products were a good thing, where as now dairy products are qualified as good only if they’re preceded with the terms “low-fat”.

I can usually determine high sodium products by taste but which foods are considered to be high in saturated fats and cholesterol?  With this in mind I have prepared the following outline:

High blood pressure diet foods which you may eat frequently:
  • Cuts of meat that have no fat (lean only).
  • Chicken and turkey (but no skin).
  • Fish (fresh or frozen).
  • Dairy Products (fat-free or low-fat milk, low-fat yogurt; fat-free or low-fat cheese).
  • Corn meal bread, loaf breads, dinner rolls, English muffins, bagels and pita bread.
  • Cereals, but only those that are low in sodium.
  • Plain rice and noodles.
  • Fresh or frozen vegetables; canned vegetable with no salt added.
  • Fruit & fruit juices (examples include: bananas, oranges, apples, grapes, melon, berries).
  • Low sodium soups.
  • Margarine as well as vegetable oils.
  • Herbs and spices such as parsley, oregano, onion powder, garlic powder, and vinegar.
Foods which should be avoided or eaten in very limited quantities:
  • Smoked or cured meats including bacon, hot dogs, bologna, corned beef, ham, most luncheon meats and sausage.
  • Canned fish such as salmon, tuna, sardines and mackerel.
  • Buttermilk (that is high sodium or not low-fat).
  • Cheese and cheese spreads (excepting low or no fat).
  • Salty snacks such as potato chips, pretzels, nuts and pork rinds.
  • Quick cooking rice, instant noodles and prepared quick meals such as frozen diners, pot pies and pizza. (these are typically high in sodium)
  • Regular canned vegetables that have salt added.
  • Pickled foods such as relish, bologna, pickles, olives, sauerkraut and herrings.
  • Regular canned soups and instant soups.
  • Ketchup, soy sauce, steak sauce, barbecue sauce, garlic salt, onion salt, bouillon cubes, and meat tenderizers (about everything in this category but herbs and spices).
OK then, I just found this, there is apparently a much easier and perhaps cheaper way to maintain,  correct, or prevent high blood pressure problems with an all natural herbal extract. Anyone willing to spend a few bucks for a full months supply (50 ml), need only click here and with a valid debit / credit card, simply place your first order. This miracle product is not a drug (it’s a concoction of several herbs), so a trip to the doctor for a prescription is un-called for. Plus it has absolutely no negative side effects. This product is called “Heart and Body Extract”.

The choice is yours alone; follow the troublesome diet directives I have listed above or risk getting your-self “addicted” to Heart and Body Extract.

Sources ...

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