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 ...
Lowering your weight is far more effective. Overweight -ness and high BP are married.
I guess I’ve gotten cynical but I just assume the conventional wisdom on salt is wrong like it was on eggs, butter vs. margarine, carbohydrates, etc.
You definitely hit one of the core issues and how to address it.
Everyone can lower their blood pressure around nine points by losing 20 pounds, for every 20 pounds.
That’s about what our blood pressure goes up, by that same weight.
Imagine that.
Have you heard of Celtic salt? I recently purchased some to give to family this Thanksgiving.
Male cow dung. I drove my sodium levels into the floor and it didn’t do a thing for my blood pressure. What fixed my blood pressure was getting off of carbs. Now my blood pressure is normal without any medications required and I eat lots of salt.
The primary cause of high blood pressure is insulin. Too much insulin = elevated blood pressure.
I don’t like the taste of salt (I know that is strange). Yesterday I passed out from low blood pressure. I also get horrble cramps in my legs and feet.
In order to get enough salt I have to put a 1/4 teaspoon in the palm of my hand, lick it off and gulp water, whenever I notice the symptoms.
I’m having knee surgery on the 8th so I will be using salt as a preventive but in smaller doses.
My neuro is the one that said i need more salt. I always have low sodium levels when ever they check.
But before it gets to zero a person will be miserable.
But before it gets to zero a person will be UNCONCIOUS...................
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