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2005-10-30

My struggle against boderline high blood pressure

I have boderline high blood pressure, so this post is about what can be done to reduce high blood pressure. Even if one does not have high blood pressure, it would be wise to keep lifestyle that can keep high blood pressure at bay.

Apparently, the best course of action, and the hardest, is to exercise. Regular exercise can reduce stress, lower blood pressure and decrease resting heart rate. Exercise can lower blood pressure.

Another is a healthy diet. Keep salt intake low while increasing intake of calcium, magnesium and potassium. Potassium-rich foods are avocados, bananas, cantaloupe, honeydew melon, grapefruit, nectarines, oranges, asparagus, broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, green peas, potatoes, and squash. Foods rich in magnesium include nuts, rice, bananas, potatoes, wheat germ, kidney and lima beans, soy, and molasses.

I eat a bowl of oats every morning. Oats not only help keep the weight down, but also lower cholesterol and blood pressure. I cut slices of banana to put on top of the oat porridge to add interest. Banana is also extremely high in potassium while very low in sodium, so is ideal for cutting risk of high blood pressure and stroke. Daily Oats Improve High Blood Pressure.

I am taking raw garlic with my evening meal. It seems garlic can lower blood pressure by 5 to 10%. As mentioned in my previous post, garlic can lower cholesterol 15% which is a plus factor (Using food to control cholesterol). Garlic can also thin blood.

A previous post also mentioned kefir, which I take occasionally. Another weapon in the arsenal against high blood.

I am also eating tempeh (fermented soy bean). Tempeh contains isoflavones which can also help reduce blood pressure.

And cut or reduce smoking, which is not a problem as I don't smoke.

And my report card - the last test I had done showed that my diastolic blood pressure was reduced from 90 to 85, which is a good sign. I will have to take the test again soon.

LATEST UPDATE Monday, November 7, 2005
Blood pressure: 120 over 80
Blood sugar: 4.6 mmol/L

Looks like it is working.

UPDATE Wednesday, 16 August, 2006
Blood Pressure: 120 over 80. Normal

Footnote:
For elevated blood pressure linked to mental stress, it may be a good idea to take 2 stalks of celery everyday. Acording to William J. Elliott, a pharmacologist at the University of Chicago's Pritzker School of Medicine, celery contains 3-n-butylphthalide which he speculate lowers blood pressure by reducing blood concentration of stress hormones that cause blood vessels to constrict.

Books from Amazon

Control High Blood Pressure Without Drugs : A Complete Hypertension Handbook

Controlling High Blood Pressure the Natural Way

Good News About High Blood Pressure : Everything You Need to Know to Take Control of Hypertension...and Your Life

8 comments:

Peter said...

3 opinions on garlic, taken from a newsgroup for garlic
----------------------------------
XXX writes:

I wanted to know more about garlic helping cholesterol so looked
further, and unfortunately, this is what I found from the Center for
Science in the Public Interest:

" Cholesterol-Lowering Claims on Garlic Called False and Misleading
...
"But a new, scientific review by the Agency for Healthcare
Research and Quality (AHRQ) in the U.S. Department of Health and Human
Services states that the evidence that garlic lowers cholesterol is
inconclusive." http://www.cspinet.org/new/garlic_pr.html
----------------------------------
YYY writes:
Well, I just don't believe that because I've read in TOO many places
and in TOO many studies where it's been proven that garlic DOES help
lower cholesterol! Plus, I have a good friend who takes garlic pills for
her cholesterol, so does her hubby, and they've both improved so much
that they don't even have to take prescription medication for
cholesterol anymore, per their doctor!
-----------------------------------
ZZZ writes
I take Garlinase 4000, a pill every day, and my dr says my
triglicerides are down, because of it!!
---------------

Peter said...

More good comments:
Yeah, I just think that too many people are getting good reports from
their doctors after using garlic for it to be just a coincidence.

Jay Noel said...

You can take OPC-3 also. The grape wine extract and pine bark extract have been shown to help with inflammation - which is a factor when it comes to anything cardiovascular.

I've personally spoken to several people that have taken OPC-3 and didn't have to take their meds anymore.

The Spring Of Life said...

Hi,

Thank YOU so much for Your posts! I so agree with You: our health depends on what we eat!

I'm also a garlic lover! I just posted an article about garlic and the many uses of it on my website. If You are interested, You are welcome to visit me at:

www.zone.ee/thespringoflife

..the article is under "Articles"

Anji said...

Oats for breakfast are one of the best things a diabetic can do too.

controlling high blood pressure said...

I just think that too many people are getting good reports from
their doctors after using garlic for it to be just a coincidence.High blood pressure cure supplement, natural herbal remedy to lower & control high blood pressure. Use Alistrol everyday to help maintain healthy circulation and support cardio-vascular health.

dhan said...

whether the difference between kefir and yogurt?
Which is better between them?
That kefir or yogurt can make lower blod pressure?
thank

blood pressure herbal remedies said...

Great article.Thank you and keep up the great work on this site

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