Tag: hypertension

Heart Health Requires Magnesium

Heart health requires magnesium. Not only is magnesium a major mineral required for heart function, it is also required for nerve function and acts as an aid in a significant number of enzyme reactions. This article will provide a closer look at magnesium, its sources and needs.

Magnesium: Location & Use
magnesium, trace minerals, microminerals, enzyme reactions, bones, insulin, energy, muscle pain, weakness, cardiovascular disease, hypertension, heart health, blood pressure, heart, intracellular fluids, processed food, unprocessed food, minerals, vegetables, fruits, whole grains, milk, meats, and dried beans, diabetes, minerals
Heart Health Requires Magnesium

Bone is the repository for sixty percent of the body’s magnesium stores. The remainder circulates in the blood stream and works inside cells. Magnesium is used in more than 300 enzymes and within cells. Quite a few energy-yielding compounds require magnesium in order to function properly. The hormone insulin also requires magnesium. (5) (7) (8)

Magnesium Deficiency:

A magnesium deficiency creates an irregular heartbeat in humans. This may be accompanied by:

  • muscle pain,
  • weakness,
  • seizures, and
  • disorientation.
blood pressure, healthy heart, heart disease, heart beat, pulse, systolic, diastolic, high blood pressure, silent killer, hypertension
Blood Pressure: What’s Healthy – What’s Not Hypertension: The Silent Killer

The risk of cardiovascular disease is decreased by a sufficient intake of magnesium. This is a result of its ability to decrease blood pressure through dilating arteries and hindering heart rhythm abnormalities. Magnesium intake should be closely monitored with people who have cardiovascular disease, especially since they are often on diuretics that decrease magnesium levels. It is important to remember because our bodies readily store magnesium — a deficiency in this mineral develops slowly. (5) (7) (8)

Both hypertension and diabetes have been linked with decreased magnesium levels in the blood. It is unclear however, what the cause is for lower magnesium levels in diabetic or hypertensive people. Currently research is ongoing to determine magnesium’s role in the prevention and/or treatment of these diseases. (5) (7) (8)

Magnesium Needs:
magnesium, trace minerals, microminerals, enzyme reactions, bones, insulin, energy, muscle pain, weakness, cardiovascular disease, hypertension, heart health, blood pressure, heart, intracellular fluids, processed food, unprocessed food, minerals, vegetables, fruits, whole grains, milk, meats, and dried beans, diabetes, minerals
Heart Health & Magnesium

The RDA for magnesium in adult women is about 310 milligrams per day and in men about 400 milligrams per day. This amount is determined by the amount the body needs in order to offset the losses incurred daily. On food and supplement labels, the Daily Value for magnesium is based on 400 milligrams. The average consumed by women is approximately 220 milligrams, whereas the average consumed by men is 320 milligrams daily. Accordingly, most adults need to improve their intake of magnesium-rich foods. (1) (2) (3) (4)

Magnesium Sources:
Nutrient Rich – Magnesium Plus

Refined grain products, common in most American diets is a very poor source of magnesium and magnesium supplements are not well-absorbed. Although animal products like meat and milk provide some magnesium, plant products are richer sources of magnesium. Some of these plant products include potatoes, squash, seeds, nuts, beans, and whole grains. (1) (2) (3) (4)

What is your favorite magnesium rich food? Do you have a recipe to share?

References:

1. https://health.gov/dietaryguidelines/2015/guidelines/appendix-10/
2. https://www.nal.usda.gov/fnic/dietary-reference-intakes
3. https://www.nal.usda.gov/sites/default/files/fnic_uploads/190-249.pdf
4. https://www.nal.usda.gov/fnic/magnesium
5. https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Magnesium-HealthProfessional/
6. https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/002423.htm
7. http://lpi.oregonstate.edu/mic/minerals/magnesium
8. http://www.umm.edu/health/medical/altmed/supplement/magnesium

Take Heart with Potassium

Take heart with potassium… . In order to live, you need minerals. Not just any mineral — eating dirt won’t be helpful, but everyone needs those major and trace minerals required for basic life functions. This article will take an in-depth look at the major mineral, potassium.

Heart Health: Potassium and Sodium

Potassium and sodium share many of the same life functions, namely transmission of nerve impulses and fluid balance, but in different locations. Where sodium operates outside the cell, potassium operates inside. Fluids found inside the cell (intracellular fluids) contain most of the potassium found in the body — 95%.

Your Blood Pressure: What’s Healthy – What’s Not

Additionally, where sodium intake increases blood pressure, potassium lowers blood pressure. Potassium is a critical element for cardiovascular function. (1) (2)

A person who has low blood potassium is in a life-threatening situation. Often, symptoms include:

  • muscle cramps,
  • loss of appetite,
  • constipation, and
  • confusion.

Eventually the heart will beat irregularly, thus decreasing its ability to pump blood. (1) (2)

Potassium Needs:
potassium, trace minerals, microminerals, sodium, hypertension, heart health, blood pressure, heart, intracellular fluids, processed food, unprocessed food, minerals, vegetables, fruits, whole grains, milk, meats, and dried beans, kidneys, minerals
Whole Grains – Mineral Rich

Adults need to consume 4700 milligrams (4.7 grams) per day in order to fulfill the Adequate Intake for potassium requirements. The food and supplement labels use the Daily Value based on 3500 milligrams. Although approximately 90% of the potassium we eat is absorbed, the average North American only consumes 2000 to 3000 milligrams of potassium per day. Most need to increase their intake. (3) (4)

Where sodium is often added to foods, potassium is not, contributing to a lower intake. Also, those with high blood pressure being treated with diuretics are at risk of depleting their body’s potassium stores. Therefore, people who take diuretics waste their body’s potassium and must carefully monitor their intake of this mineral. Foods high in potassium are healthy additions to their diets. (3) (4)

potassium, trace minerals, microminerals, sodium, hypertension, heart health, blood pressure, heart, intracellular fluids, processed food, unprocessed food, minerals, vegetables, fruits, whole grains, milk, meats, and dried beans, kidneys
Take Heart with Potassium – The Role of Your Kidneys

No Upper Level for potassium is set since potassium toxicity is not a risk with typical food intakes as long as the kidneys function properly. Those with unhealthy kidney function, however, are at risk for the build up of potassium in the blood. This prevents the heart from functioning and slows the heartbeat. If left untreated, it results in death. (3)

Potassium Sources:

The most healthy way to meet your potassium requirements is by increasing the consumption of foods rich in potassium. Unprocessed foods are generally rich sources of potassium, including vegetables, fruits, whole grains, milk, meats, and dried beans. (4) (5)

What’s your favorite potassium rich food? Do you have a recipe to share?

References:

1. https://www.cdc.gov/salt/index.htm
2. https://www.cdc.gov/media/releases/2011/p0711_sodiumpotassiumdiet.html
3. https://www.nal.usda.gov/fnic/dietary-reference-intakes
4. https://health.gov/dietaryguidelines/2015/guidelines/
5. https://health.gov/dietaryguidelines/2015/guidelines/appendix-10/

Without Warning… Steps to Avoid High Blood Pressure

Without warning, it could all be over. The diagnosis and treatment of high blood pressure is critical to prevent sudden death, cardiovascular disease, stroke, kidney disease, circulation problems in the legs, and vision problems. Better yet, take steps to avoid high blood pressure in the first place. The best preventive measures are natural and should be a way of life. The previous article identified certain lifestyles that increase the risk of high blood pressure; inactivity, obesity, and excess alcohol were a few. This article will identify the influence of certain minerals on a person’s blood pressure.

Sodium
Hypertension, Silent Killer, High Blood Pressure, Uncontrollable Risk Factors, Age, Family History, Atherosclerosis, preventable risk factors, obesity, excess weight, inactivity, alcohol, salt, natural
Sodium & Hypertension

Blood pressure is particularly sensitive to sodium, especially in certain populations that include older people who are overweight and African-Americans. In these individuals, an excessive amount of salt leads to the kidney’s retention of fluid correlating to an increase in blood volume which then causes an increase in blood pressure. Since not all people living in North America are susceptible to a higher blood pressure resulting from a person’s salt intake, it is number 4 on the list of lifestyle factors associated with hypertension. Obesity, inactivity, and alcohol abuse rate higher.

Helpful Minerals to Avoid High Blood Pressure
Hypertension, Silent Killer, High Blood Pressure, Uncontrollable Risk Factors, Age, Family History, Atherosclerosis, preventable risk factors, obesity, excess weight, inactivity, alcohol, salt, natural, potassium, magnesium, calcium, minerals
A diet that is low in salt and rich in potassium, magnesium, and calcium can reduce blood pressure.

According to research studies, a diet that is low in salt and rich in potassium, magnesium, and calcium can reduce blood pressure within days of starting this kind of diet. The type of response seen is comparable to what is observed with commonly used high blood pressure medications. Further studies found a decrease in the risk of stroke among individuals who follow a diet that is rich in vegetables, fruit, and Vitamin C.

Generally, a low salt diet that is

  • rich in fat-free and low-fat dairy products,
  • vegetables,
  • fruits,
  • whole grains, and
  • some nuts

can significantly decrease the stroke and hypertension risk in countless people, especially those with high blood pressure.

The majority of the risk factors contributing to stroke and hypertension can be controlled and suitable changes to one’s lifestyle can make a significant difference in reducing a person’s risk. Experts in the field recommend that people with hypertension try to decrease blood pressure through lifestyle changes and diet before relying on blood pressure medications. Numerous studies find that consumption foods rich in minerals such as potassium, magnesium, and calcium as well as vitamin C combined with other lifestyle changes including moderate physical activity at regular intervals will contribute to better blood pressure control.

What’s your favorite mineral rich food?

References:

(1) https://www.cdc.gov/bloodpressure/risk_factors.htm
(2) https://www.cdc.gov/bloodpressure/family_history.htm
(3) https://www.cdc.gov/bloodpressure/conditions.htm
(4) https://www.cdc.gov/bloodpressure/behavior.htm
(5) https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/files/docs/guidelines/express.pdf

Blood Pressure: What’s Healthy – What’s Not

This article, “Blood Pressure: What’s Healthy- What’s Not” is the first in a three part series. One out of every five adults in North America live with high blood pressure, also known as hypertension. After the age of 65, this number increases significantly to one out of every two adults. Since it often goes undetected, hypertension is commonly referred to as the silent killer.

blood pressure, healthy heart, heart disease, heart beat, pulse
Your Blood Pressure: What’s Healthy – What’s Not
Blood Pressure

Two numbers convey a person’s blood pressure:

  • the systolic (higher number) blood pressure and
  • diastolic (lower number) blood pressure.

The systolic blood pressure denote the arterial pressure as the heart muscle contracts and then pumps blood through the arteries. Optimally, it should be at 120 millimeters of mercury (mm Hg) or less. The diastolic blood pressure is the pressure within the artery when the heart is in a relaxed state. It should optimally be at or less than 80 mm Hg. The elevation in both of these numbers are strong

blood pressure, healthy heart, heart disease, heart beat, pulse, systolic, diastolic
Blood Pressure Systolic/Diastolic

indicators of disease. (1) (2)

 

Hypertension

By definition, hypertension is when the systolic blood pressure exceeds 139 mm Hg or the diastolic blood pressure exceeds 89 mm Hg for extended periods.

Primary or essential hypertension has no clearly defined cause and occurs in 95% of the cases. Secondary hypertension occurs in the remaining 5% of the cases and

blood pressure, healthy heart, heart disease, heart beat, pulse, systolic, diastolic, high blood pressure, silent killer, hypertension
Blood Pressure: What’s Healthy – What’s Not Hypertension: The Silent Killer

is often caused by sleep apnea (sleep-disordered breathing) and kidney disease. (1) (2)
Typically there are no symptoms of hypertension. To assure it does not go undetected, it is important to check it on a regular basis.

Importance of Controlling Blood Pressure

It is essential to control blood pressure to primarily prevent strokes and related diminished brain function, cardiovascular disease, poor circulation of blood in the legs, vision problems, and sudden death. People with hypertension are much more likely to suffer from these disorders than those with normal blood pressure levels. Additionally, smoking and elevated lipoproteins also significantly increases the risk for these diseases. Early diagnosis of hypertension is important. If the condition continues unchecked over a long period of time, typically it resists therapy and with time will advance to a more serious stage. (4)

blood pressure, healthy heart, heart disease, heart beat, pulse, systolic, diastolic, high blood pressure, silent killer, hypertension
Your Health Matters – Avoid the Silent Killer
Control Your Blood Pressure

Hypertension is a disorder that cannot be overlooked. In order to maintain a healthy lifestyle and decrease your risk of these life-threatening diseases, there are a number of preventive measures that can be taken. As the next two articles in the series will show, lifestyle changes and critical minerals are important to the function and maintenance of the heart and circulatory system.

References

https://www.cdc.gov/dhdsp/data_statistics/fact_sheets/fs_bloodpressure.htm
https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/health-topics/topics/hbp
http://www.heart.org/HEARTORG/Conditions/HighBloodPressure/UnderstandSymptomsRisks/Why-High-Blood-Pressure-is-a-Silent-Killer_UCM_002053_Article.jsp
https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/health-topics/topics/hbp/atrisk