Posted on 11/14/2023 9:45:29 PM PST by ConservativeMind
Nearly everyone can lower their blood pressure, even people currently on blood pressure- reducing drugs, by lowering sodium intake, reports a study.
"In the study, middle age to elderly participants reduced salt intake by about one teaspoon a day compared with their usual diet. The result was a decline in systolic blood pressure by about 6 millimeters of mercury (mm Hg), which is comparable to the effect produced by a commonly utilized first-line medication for high blood pressure," said Deepak Gupta, M.D., MSCI.
"We found that 70-75% of all people, regardless of whether they are already on blood pressure medications or not, are likely to see a reduction in their blood pressure if they lower sodium in their diet," said Norrina Allen, Ph.D., MPH.
The total daily sodium intake recommended by the AHA is to be below 1,500 milligrams, and this study was designed to decrease it even lower than that, Allen said.
Middle-age to elderly individuals in their 50s to 70s from Birmingham, Alabama and Chicago were randomized to either a high-sodium diet (2,200 mg per day on top of their usual diet) or low-sodium diet (500 mg in total per day) for one week, after which they crossed over to the opposite diet for one week.
On the day before each study visit, participants wore blood pressure monitors and collected their urine for 24 hours. Among 213 participants, systolic blood pressure was significantly lowered by 7 to 8 mm Hg when they ate the low-sodium diet compared with high-sodium diet, and by 6 mm Hg compared with their usual diet.
Overall, 72% of participants experienced a lowering of their systolic blood pressure on the low-sodium diet compared with their usual diet.
The blood pressure lowering effect of dietary sodium reduction was achieved rapidly and safely within one week.
(Excerpt) Read more at medicalxpress.com ...
55 years old
Almost blead out recently
Cutting sodium (salt)
also using diuretic on top of BP meds.
Fell and split scalp.
Don’t do it!
THAT, and “No Salt”.
(Potassium chloride)...
Whenever I “splurge” on salty food, I feel better.But I always return to my doctor’s recommendation to reduce Salt.
“Health Valley Minestrone” canned soup has only 5% salt, so I buy it by the case from Amazon, and add ftesh vegetables and meat to make it better.
My cardiologist took me off two BP meds after a month’s study of daily BP checks.
I find that lowering *sugar* lowers BP more than salt.
If BP is actually lowered, that would be very dangerous to big pharma profits.
bfl
I’m happy to see most FReepers are doing their research. For years they’ve been saying we need to reduce sodium intake, but most modern studies indicate that we don’t get enough sodium. The problem is with what the sodium is paired.
The problem isn’t the sodium. It’s the grease on the fries, the sugar in the bun, and the liquified sugar we’re consuming daily. Sugar is killing us but no one is talking about that. Follow the money.
I salt my food but am always just a bit below the normal sodium range. Not out of range enough to be concerning but always a bit low.
a teaspoon is about 2300mg.
the average American consumes 4300mg+ per day. lowering it by a teaspoon would bring their diet within range of the recommended daily amount.
meanwhile, chinese in hong kong consume 5000mg+ per day and don’t seem to have the same issues we do.
there is a lot of truth in what you say. Not all calories are the same no matter what the fitness gurus try to tell you.
I started Intermittent Fasting back in July. Cut nearly all processed food. Dropped a quick 20lbs following a simple time restricted diet. BP is low enough the doctor took medications away. He was shocked and wanted to know what happened. Surprisingly, told me to keep going and did not lecture me about eating. He asked me if it suited my lifestyle and if I could maintain it. I told him it was the best thing that ever happened to match my crazy work and lifestyle.
I follow Dr. Jason Fung on Youtube as he explains why IF works and why people fail at it. Starting BP 185/99 Today as of this morning 114/72. Weight loss holding steady at 25lbs. Walking only 4,ooo steps a day, no other exercises. Although I should start resistance training. Minimal muscle mass lost.
BP meds are derived or synthesized from the venom of a pit viper, therefore I never agreed to take them even though they are dirt cheap.
Also no one cross tests for folks on multiple rx. Modern medicine is not about ‘1st do no harm’ ever since we were forced (Rockefeller, Carnegie, AMA, other PTBs) to use petrol-based meds rather than plant-based. This ironically was back in the 1930’s with the fear of so many ‘snake-oil salesmen’
.
You’re on a splash oiling system like a T model?
This is from Dr. Ken Berry, the carnivore/keto doc on YouTube.
Salt liberally
Use real salt that’s protected from ocean pollution and contaminants.
Do not be afraid of salt. When you cut carbs, your body will flush sodium and other electrolytes.
Salting liberally will help stave off carbohydrate withdrawal symptoms by supplying your body with proper sodium and chloride balance.
Some of us need more salt than others - my body thrives on salt - 71 years old and BP is 115/76
This is true.
If you lower your salt intake to zero, your BP will be zero also...................
And if you have any sort of kidney problems, is much worse for you.
actually yes.
and that is why so many people crave salt. you literally cannot live without it
That is what would happen.
When I was a kid in the ‘50s, the connection between sodium and blood pressure was “a thing”.
Same here. There are times when I just crave salt. My BP is always quite low, sometimes seemingly too low.
The best way to keep BP down is not to look at hot women or get into an argument over politics or religion.
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