Here’s what I’m doing:
taking blood pressure medication
not adding much salt to my diet
trying not to get stressed out easily
monitoring my blood pressure at home

I know that I need to lose weight, exercise more, try to find low sodium foods, and avoid caffeine. Do you have any additional suggestions? Anything I need to be aware of when grocery shopping (low sodium products)?

By the way, this is so new to me, I didn’t even know if I’m correct in placing this in the heart disease category.
PS: Sorry, I noticed someone just asked this a few minutes ago. Any answers, though, are greatly appreciated!
Any suggestions for salt substitutes? I love herbs and seasonings, especially mexican-style seasonings, but I’ve never had to worry about the sodium content.

Introduction

Recent studies have indicated strong relationship between fruit and vegetable consumptions and reduced risk of certain cancers and cardiovascular disease.

A diet high in vegetables and fruits is believed to be associated with reducing the risk of cancer of the mouth, oesophagus, stomach, lung, colon, rectum and some other cancers.However there is no specific reason or evidence to clarify the mechanism and also the results of various researches in the roles of fruit and vegetables do not all agree.

Nutritionists recommend the consumption of a minimum of 400g of fruit and vegetables per day (except for potatoes and other starchy tubers) for the prevention of chronic diseases such as heart disease, cancer, diabetes and obesity, in addition to the prevention and reduction of several micronutrient deficiencies, especially in less developed countries.

A number of scientific evidences have implied low fruit and vegetable intake is a major risk factor for several non-communicable diseases.Increasing fruit and vegetable intake by as little as one serving per day can have a great influence on heart disease risk.

Cardiovascular Disease

Cardiovascular disease is related to diseases of the heart and diseases of the blood vessel system (arteries, capillaries, veins) within a person’s entire body, such as the brain, legs, and lungs. “Cardio” refers to the heart and “vascular” refers to the blood vessel system.

Fruits and vegetable intake and its association with the risk of cardiovascular diseaseAccording to many studies, a diet rich in fruits and vegetables can reduce the risk of heart disease and stroke.

High blood pressure is a major risk factor for heart disease and stroke. So it is crucial to control its condition. Diet can be a very important factor for lowering blood pressure. The Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension study indicated that there is a compelling relationship between diet and blood pressure (cited in Harvard School of Public Health 2005).

This trial analysed the influence on blood pressure of a diet that was significant in fruits, vegetables and low-fat dairy products and that inhibiting the extent of saturated and total fat.The researchers discovered that people with high blood pressure who adhered to this diet, their systolic blood pressure (the upper number of a blood pressure reading) by about 11 mm Hg and their diastolic blood pressure (the lower number) by virtually 6 mm Hg – as much as medications can effect.Furthermore, eating more fruits and vegetables can have a great effect on cholesterol.

The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute’s Family Heart Study shows that men and women with the highest daily consumption (more than 4 servings a day) have a lower extent of LDL; low density lipoprotein (bad) cholesterol than those with lower consumption.

Cancer

Human body is composed of millions of tiny cells. Most of the cells divide and multiply occasionally; when an old cell is worn out or damaged, a new cell is formed to replace it.Each cell contains genes (made from the DNA).The proteins inside the gene control when the cell is to divide and multiply. If the gene is damaged or modified (probably as a result of making too much or too little protein) the cell becomes abnormal.The abnormal cell can then divide and multiply without knowing the certain time to stop.A tumour is developed when a group of abnormal cells clump together.

There are two types of tumour: benign and malignant. Benign tumours are not carcenogenic and won’t attack or spread to other parts of the body.Malignant tumours are the real cancers. They can grow very fast, attack the adjacent tissues and organs which can result in serious damage. They may even spread to other parts of the body and cause secondary tumours (metastases).However not all cancers create solid tumours- cancers of the blood, such as leukaemia, develop from abnormal blood cells, which then invade other parts of the body by circulating in the bloodstream.

Generally there are about 200 various types of cancer. Some of them are more dangerous than others, some are more readily treated, and others have better survival figures.Unfortunately, many people will be influenced by cancer at some point in lives. If they are diagnosed with cancer, the doctors require to identify what type of cancer they have and if it has spread, so that they can decide on the best period of treatment

Healthy Eating

Eat more fruits and vegetables – can offer an extensive range of vitamins and minerals and fibres required for body. Fruits and vegetables may prevent the risk of cancer probably due to containing anti-oxidant vitamins and minerals helping prevent the cells damage.

Eat more Fiber – is widely present in fruits an vegetables and wholemeal cereals. Some studies approve 20g per day consumption while some others don’t.

Reduce eating fat – The cancer Research UK (2003) discussed that greater fat intake can be related to slight increase of breast cancer. The study has also linked saturated fat and meat intake with slight but considerable increase of the risk.following low consumption, it is most recommended to eat mono-unsaturated and poly-unsaturated fats found in vegetables rather than saturated fats.

Cut down on sugar – There is no direct connection between sugar containing foods and breast cancer. However, excessive sugar intake may lead to putting on weight or sometimes contributing to obesity in which case there are some studies suggesting the link between obesity and breast cancer.

Cut down on salt – High salt consumption can result in high blood pressure.

Specific fruits and vegetables

Many researches imply specific fruits and vegetables may protect against certain types of cancer.

Fruits and vegetables contain a number of chemicals, such as the dithiolthiones and glucosinolates from cruciferous vegetables, which are believed to inhibit the growth of cancer cells and cancer occurrence in animals (Warren & Devine 2005).

The Harvard School of Public Health (2005) outlines the following categories of fruits and vegetables offering the most contribution against cardiovascular diseases:

Green leafy vegetables including lettuce, spinach, swiss chard and mustard greens, Cruciferous vegetables such as broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, brussels sprouts.

Citrus fruits like oranges, lemons, limes, and grapefruit (and their juices) are said to be the most contributing factors against cardiovascular diseases.

It has been reported that broccoli and brussel sprouts and spinach are able to reduce the possibility of breast cancers. This hasn’t been statistically considerable, so reducing the reliability on the results (Warren & Devine 2005).However a number of recently case-control studies have demonstrated inhibiting effect of carrots and spinach as well as species of broccoli (cruciferous) family against breast cancers. Some of these studies have also identified substantial effect of quantity consumed (eating more vegetables result in greater reductions in risk).

Furthermore, there is poor evidence that raw vegetables are likely to be more protective against the progression of breast and other cancers than cooked vegetables. This is probably due to some of the potentially protective chemicals present in vegetables which are damaged by heat process (Warren & Devine 2005)

One of the first steps in lowering your high blood pressure, reducing your risk for heart disease or complications from diabetes is to reduce the amount of sodium in your diet. Treena Musselman, Pulaski County, shows you necessary steps in controlling your sodium intake.

www.squidoo.com Charles is passionate about health and helping other people achieve their goals. Discover a natural way to lower blood pressure and improve your lifestyle today. For more information and to hear Charles’ Story visit: www.squidoo.com

Cholesterol is fatty molecule which is produced by your system and then dispersed throughout your body.

All Cholesterol is not bad and often you hear people talk about good cholesterol and bad cholesterol. But why do you need to lower your cholesterol? When you’re Cholesterol levels get too high the fatty substance blocks the arteries and your blood pressure raises. This in return causes heart disease and will eventually lead to a premature death.

In order to live a healthier life, you need to lower your Cholesterol levels. First of all you need to check with your medical practitioner, by means of a cholesterol blood test, to see what the levels are. Once you have checked your cholesterol levels and confirmed that they are too high, you need to take some actions towards lowering your cholesterol levels. Following these steps as a preventative measure is also a good idea.

There are a few ways of doing it and the first and foremost way of doing this is by starting with a good low cholesterol diet. Although you can inherit cholesterol, it is mostly bad eating habits which cause high cholesterol.

You need to choose foods which are low in unsaturated fats. There are many foods which are low in unsaturated fats and will help you to lower your cholesterol. Fruit, Vegetables and fish are good and healthy food types which will help you to lower your cholesterol fast.

Food types which you need too avoid, or at least limit, when you want to lower your cholesterol are red meat, milk, cheese and other dairy products. Dairy products are very high in Cholesterol.

Dieting is a means of lowering your cholesterol, but there are also other factors to consider like exercise. A good exercise program is a great way to reduce the fat in your body.

I have changed my own lifestyle to a low fat lifestyle and I can still remember that when I first decided to change my lifestyle, I did not necessarily exercised much more at first, but I just became more active. I would go for long walks along the beach, and climbed up a mountain now and then. I started to walk the five blocks down to the post office instead of taking the car.

In a period of 5 months I have lost 12 kilograms, which is about 26 pounds, and I have never picked it up again. I must admit it feels great to not have to carry all that weight around every day.

The point that I want to make is that if you want to lower your cholesterol, you do not need to go through some strenuous exercise program. Just take a look around yourself and find the small things that you can do.

Lowering your Cholesterol is in your own best interest and in the interest of your loved ones. Make a wise decision today. Decide to lower your cholesterol levels.

Blood is carried from the heart to all parts of your body in vessels called arteries. Blood does not flow regularly like water from a tap:-When the heart contracts (systole), the blood is propelled into the main arteries that act as a pressurised reservoir.

Pressure in a hose can be regulated either by controlling the rate at which fluid passes through it or by widening it. Pressure inside your arteries can cause the muscles that line the walls of the arteries to thicken. Your blood pressure is at its highest when the heart beats, pumping the blood. When the heart is at rest, between beats, your blood pressure falls. Still, for most of your waking hours, your blood pressure stays pretty much the same when you are sitting or standing still.

Heart disease is the UK’s biggest killer, claiming thousands of lives each year. Heart failure is when your heart cannot pump blood around the body as well as it should, and this can cause you to become short of breath and can cause your ankles to swell. Heart attack High blood pressure is a major risk factor for heart attacks.

Various disorders and drugs can cause the compensatory mechanisms to malfunction, and high blood pressure may result. Causes In most instances of high blood pressure, no known cause can be identified. Doctors do not know what causes high blood pressure in 90 to 95 percent of people who have it. For some people, just being in a medical setting causes their blood pressure to rise.

Symptoms When blood pressure is too low, the first organ to malfunction is usually the brain. Symptoms that may occur include: Confusion Chest pain Ear noise or buzzing Irregular heartbeat Nosebleed Tiredness Vision changes. What is treatment, medication, medicines, remedy, drugs, cure of lowering high Blood pressure or Hypertension? . Although high blood pressure, also known as hypertension, can cause headaches, dizziness and problems with vision, the majority of people with the condition do not display any noticeable symptoms.

Treatment

Treatment is focused on reducing water retention and lowering blood pressure to normal limits. Treatment for high blood pressure depends on the severity of the disease and whether you have other health problems, such as heart failure or diabetes, or you are pregnant. Treatment of primary high blood pressure, especially moderate or severe high blood pressure, decreases the risk of heart failure, coronary artery disease, heart attack, abnormal heartbeats, stroke, and kidney disease, and reduces the risk of death from these conditions. Treatment for high blood pressure must be highly individualized and based on your risk factors, such as diabetes, smoking, and heart disease. Treatment when blood pressure increases slightly and the woman is not near the end of her pregnancy, bed rest may help reduce the pressure. Treatment begins with changes you can make in your lifestyle to help lower your blood pressure and reduce your risk of heart disease .

High blood pressure is called the silent killer because it usually has no symptoms. When high blood pressure is not found and treated, it can cause: The heart to get larger, which may lead to heart failure. If your blood pressure is in the prehypertension range, it is more likely that you will end up with high blood pressure unless you take action to prevent it. High blood pressure is dangerous because it makes the heart work too hard and contributes to atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries). If your blood pressure is between 120/80 mmHg and 139/89 mmHg, then you have prehypertension. The good news is that if your blood pressure is high, it can be lowered by making changes to your lifestyle, for example changing your diet, exercising and losing weight, and when needed, with tablets. The medical community?s knowledge of high blood pressure is great, but far from perfect. High blood pressure is more common: In patients whose families have high blood pressure In those over 35 years old In males In Afro-Americans In women on oral contraceptives. The only way to know whether you have high blood pressure is to have it taken by a person who knows how (those automatic machines you sit at in the supermarket are not necessarily kept accurate condition.

__Alexis Kenne

http://www.extend-yourlife.com/hypertension

http://www.goodhealthguaranteed.com

http://www.extend-yourlife.com

Many people know this flavor as the one that also comes from MSG, a flavor enhancer commonly used in Chinese food and snack foods.  Umami flavor is strongest when combined with aromas (e.g., monosodium glutamate and garlic), a result leading to speculation that glutamate may stimulate umami effects by acting simultaneously with the aromas, texture, and appearance of food.  Other common natural sources of the umami flavor include beans, whole grains including whole grain rice, breads and cereals, soy products such as tofu and durum wheat which is used to make pasta.

The study of 4,680 people aged 40 to 59 found, on average that the more of the savory substance they consumed the more their blood pressure fell. The new research suggests glutamic acid may partly explain the link between vegetable protein and lower blood pressure.  Future steps will be to reproduce this finding in other studies, and investigate how glutamic acid might exert an effect on blood pressure.   Interestingly, MSG has been linked to high blood pressure but this may be due to the salt content in it.  In the meantime, this much is clear: broccoli and cabbage are good for you so until the final results are in, feel free to chow down to keep blood pressure low and healthy!