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Hypertension (high blood pressure) is a
common, deadly disease that is increasing in young adults.
Over time, high blood pressure damages the heart and kidneys and
increases the risk of stroke, aneurysm and heart attack. Hypertension is
often symptomless, and may be untreated or undertreated. Hypertension is
related to lifestyle and relationship choices and is largely preventable.
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Richard Diehl (Ph.D. M.Ed. L.Ac) specializes in
nutrition and gentle detoxification. He is a member of the American Association of
Diabetes Educators and is a Certified Advanced Rolfing® Practitioner (he studied with
Dr. Ida Rolf). Richard is a Certified Nutrition Specialist and Traditional Naturopath®
and has lectured in 9 countries on 5 continents.
www.wellnessworkhawaii.com
PO Box 11991 Honolulu, Hawaii 96828
Tel +1 (808) 923 4041 |
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Hypertension is more common with age;
over half of all people over 65 have it. In the elderly, hypertension
typically takes the form of high systolic blood pressure, low diastolic
blood pressure and dizziness when standing up.
(Blood pressure readings are expressed
by two numbers, e.g. 120/80. The first is the systolic blood pressure
and the second is the diastolic.)
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Pulmonary hypertension (hypertension in the lungs) is common.
Symptoms of hypertension
include:
- Fatigue
- Chest pressure or pain
- Shortness of breath (dyspnea)
- Dizziness or fainting spells (syncope)
- Bluish color to lips and skin (cyanosis)
- Racing pulse / increased heart rate (tachycardia)
- Swelling in ankles, legs and later in the abdomen (edema)
Medical Risk Factors for Hypertension
Medical researchers have identified factors that increase
the risk of high blood pressure:
- Overweight
- High salt diet
- African descent
- High alcohol intake
- Family history of hypertension
Note: Commercial table salt may contribute to
hypertension in some people but a low salt diet may not help.
Sea salt (with trace minerals) is better - most people
are mineral deficient.
Health Coaching: Food/Diet to Control Hypertension
Healthy eating can reduce the risk of hypertension
and lower high blood pressure. Vegetarians often have lower blood pressure
and a lower incidence of hypertension and cardiovascular diseases. A
vegetarian diet (minimizing or excluding grains) usually contains more
potassium, complex carbohydrates (from green vegetables), omega-3 oils,
polyunsaturated fat, fiber, calcium, magnesium, vitamin C and vitamin A,
all of which may benefit blood pressure.
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A vegetable diet that minimizes grains
and corn is beneficial. Vegetarians who eat excess cereal grains may
have a higher risk of obesity and diabetes – leading to heart
disease. Also, protein deficient diets can diminish the rebuilding of
healthy tissues and neurotransmitters, leading to other problems. See
metabolic typing] |
Fiber
High-fiber diets are known to be effective in preventing
and treating hypertension. The types of dietary fiber are important - the
greatest benefit to hypertension are water soluble gel-forming fibers
such as oat bran, apple pectin, psyllium
seed husks and guar gum. Such dietary fiber may also reduce cholesterol
levels, promote weight loss and help remove heavy metals.
Consider taking a herbal bulking formula containing
things such as powdered oat fiber, guar gum, apple pectin, psyllium seed,
dandelion root, ginger root, fenugreek seed and fennel seed.
Sugar & Starches (Refined Carbohydrates)
Table sugar and refined carbohydrates elevate blood pressure
(sugars may increase adrenaline production, which increase blood vessel
constriction and sodium retention). Vegetables and fruits can provide a
diet rich in potassium and essential fatty acids, while low in saturated
fat, sugar and salt. We suggest that you choose whole foods, with plenty
of green vegetables, garlic and onions.
The "Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH)"
study showed that elevated blood pressures were reduced by diets rich in
fruits, vegetables, low-fat dairy foods and low in saturated fat, total fat
and cholesterol. This diet included whole grains, poultry, fish, and nuts;
and low fat, red meat and sugar.
Artificial preservatives, sweeteners and
other unnatural food additives can increase risks.
Potassium
Consider a diet that is rich in high potassium foods
(vegetables and some fruits – too much fruit may lead to diabetic risks) and
essential fatty acids. Daily potassium intake should total 7 grams per day. The
diet should be low in saturated fat, sugar and salt. In general, choose whole
foods, emphasizing green vegetables and the garlic/onion family. (Fish oil can
substantially reduce cardiac risks as well as reducing cognitive decline,
arthritic conditions and depression).
Magnesium
Magnesium is needed for over 300 body processes - about
6 - 10 mg / kilo of body weight. Magnesium is easily absorbed
and interacts with potassium, so magnesium supplements appear to work best
with a high-potassium diet. People who drink hard water that is
high in magnesium have lower incidence of hypertension.
Consider taking 200 - 400 mg of magnesium oxide, 3 times daily.
Garlic
Eating fresh garlic regularly may help prevent
and control hypertension. Fresh garlic contains allicin (an
antibacterial agent) and other sulfur compounds. Allicin is responsible for
the pungent taste of garlic, but is deactivated by heat - cooked garlic
loses both taste and physiological effects. Allicin is activated when garlic
is crushed and exposed to air for a few minutes - but allicin is destroyed
within a few hours of opening, hence garlic pills may offer limited value.
Vitamin C
Vitamin C can lower blood pressure by 5 mm Hg and
increase "good" cholesterol. Clinical studies show that vitamin C can
normalize blood cholesterol, decreasing cholesterol in people with high cholesterol
and optimize it in people who have low blood cholesterol. Vitamin C helps blood
maintain a favorable HDL/LDL ratio. Together with ascorbyl palmitate, and amino
acids such as L-proline and L-lysine, vitamin C supports healthy blood vessels
and helps decrease other risk factors for heart disease.
CoQ10, L-Carnitine & Lipoic Acid
CoQ10 (ubiquinone) is essential for
healthy mitochondria. Some medications (e.g. statin drugs used to lower
cholesterol) inhibit CoQ10 production. CoQ10 deficiency has been found in 40% of
patients with high blood pressure, showing a need for CoQ10. Two
antioxidants work synergistically with CoQ10 to enhance mitochondrial function
and reduce free radical damage - L-carnitine and lipoic acid.
L-Carnitine
optimizes the production of ATP by mitochondria in heart cells to keep
the heart properly functioning.
Acetyl l-carnitine
assists cells to utilize fatty acids and has anti-oxidant properties. In
a double blind trial, 500 mg per day of propionyl-L-carnitine led to a 26%
increase in exercise capacity after six months.
Lipoic acid neutralizes free radicals in cells.
Lipoic acid is a "universal antioxidant" that can recycle
both vitamin C and vitamin E in the body. It also helps break down sugars
so that energy can be produced from them through cellular respiration. Lipoic
acid is the only antioxidant that can boost the level of intracellular
glutathione, a cellular antioxidant that is essential
for optimal immune response.
Meditation & Ho'oponopono
A study to determine if traditional Hawaiian Ho'oponopono
with medical therapy might better control hypertension than therapy alone showed
that Ho'oponopono was associated with a significant reduction
in blood pressure. Ho'oponopono
is an integral part of our systemic coaching. See
Relationship Yoga.
Reduce Blood Pressure
Lower mild hypertension with an anti-aging diet...
- Maintain an ideal body weight. For females, ideal weight
is equal to 100 pounds + 5 pounds for every inch of height above 5 feet.
For males, ideal weight is 106 pounds + 6 pounds for
every inch of height above 5 feet. (metric...)
- Follow an anti-aging diet high in plants. Most vegetarians
have lower blood pressure and lower incidence of hypertension than non-vegetarians.
Their diet contains more potassium, complex carbohydrate, fiber, calcium,
and vitamin C and less saturated fat and refined carbohydrates.
- Celery is high in 3-n-butylphthalide. In animal studies,
intake of the equivalent of 4 sticks of celery for humans was shown to lower
blood pressure by 12%.
- Garlic can reduce blood pressure. Take at least 4 cloves
a day of fresh garlic a day for a 10 mm Hg drop in systolic and 6 mm Hg in
diastolic pressure.
- Avoid coffee, stimulants and stress - they constrict
blood vessels which increases hypertension.
- Lower salt intake and increase intake of fruits,
vegetables and legumes.
Sodium : Potassium Ratio
Many Westerners eat a sodium : potassium ratio
of 2:1. For anti-aging, a 1:5
ratio is better. Optimally, this ratio can approach 1:100, as most fruits
and vegetables have a ratio of 1:50. While it is better to restrict sodium
intake, studies show that a high potassium intake is needed. Many salt
substitutes contain potassium chloride which has about 500 mg potassium per 1/6
teaspoon.
Potassium supplements alone (2.5 - 5
gm/day) can lower systolic pressure by 10-12 mm Hg and diastolic pressure
by14-16 mm Hg. This is especially effective for people over age 65 who do not
respond well to common anti-hypertensive drugs. Fortunately, potassium is easy to
come by in food (1 medium banana contains 400 mg of potassium, a
slice of watermelon, or a tomato contains 530 mg. Note that banana and
watermelon have a high sugar content
and lack fiber.)
Exercise
Most health programs include exercise, which can
burn calories while reducing insulin resistance. Well-balanced exercise includes
training in flexibility, cardiovascular and strength. Plan to burn about 2000
calories each week - a good mixture is 30 minutes of aerobics exercise at
moderate intensity plus 15-20 minutes of stretching and 15-20 minutes strength
training - all 3 times each week.
Emotional Coaching
The wonders of modern medicine seem to pace a decline in the
human contact between people generally, and between helping professionals
and their patients or clients. Many medical doctors refer to patients by their
symptoms - e.g. "Nurse - the heart attack in room 6 is upset - check it
out". Our coaching helps re-unite people with people, and people
their world, while solving emotional, relationship and sense of life
issues. (Read about Dr Patch
Adams). We ...
- help people find a purpose and reason to live
- provide many possibilities for improving relationships
- help people control overwhelming and unpleasant emotions
- help patients and family members cope with emotional distress
- help people live full lives, promoting emotional well being and activities
- motivate and support healthy behaviors, such as diet and physical activity
Relationships, Passive Aggression & Hypertension
We find that a healthy relationship with yourself is a foundation for
sustainable living.
A study by the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Ontario showed that people in
unhappy relationships who have mild high blood pressure ( hypertension )
experience a sustained increase in blood pressure when they are with their
partners. But people with mild hypertension who are in loving, supportive,
relationships experience a decrease in blood pressure when they are with their
partners.
Many people who are diagnosed with hypertension could be called
passive aggressive. Our coaching is
particularly useful for resolving passive aggression and
covert, hostile behavior. These symptoms are notoriously difficult to treat with
classical psychotherapy or medication, yet often respond well to our systemic coaching.
In our experience, passive aggression and chronic anger are common consequences
of identifying with a victim, usually
while a young child. This type of identification provides a volcano of unresolved
anger. Strangely, many people who could be called passive aggressive will
say that they NEVER get angry. They may be afraid to express anger - even to
themselves. During our systemic diagnosis, people often find that they feel
their unexpressed anger centered in the heart region of the body.
We offer solutions.
Please consult a physician about any opinions or
recommendations about heart disease, hypertension or other medical conditions.
Online Coaching for Fast Results
Plagiarism is theft. Copyright © Martyn Carruthers & Richard Diehl;
2009-2012 All rights reserved |
