The Connection Between Minerals and High Blood Pressure

So many factors can be involved as causes for high blood pressure, it's no wonder there are so many prescription pharmaceuticals on the market to control it.

There are some natural methods that are very effective in lowering blood pressure without the use of drugs. Natural treatments usually begin with lifestyle and dietary changes, so when your blood pressure is lowered it will remain that way as long as you continue your new healthy habits. Exercise and diet are two things in your life that you have control over. They also have a big effect on blood pressure. Dietary changes should include more fruits and vegetables and fewer meats and fats (especially red meat). Regular, non-strenuous exercise like walking 30 minutes per day is enough to make a significant drop in blood pressure.Talk to your doctor before you try any natural treatments, especially if you are currently taking prescription medication for hypertension.

Some of the most interesting research on hypertension is on the subject of the minerals sodium, potassium, and magnesium and their relationship to blood pressure. There has been some controversy over the role sodium plays in hypertension. Recent studies have shown that only 30-40% of people are actually salt-sensitive. Most doctors still recommend that all hypertensive patients limit salt. The recommended sodium intake is 200-1000mg per day. Most Americans are eating 10-50 times that amount, so limiting salt is a good idea for most people. Besides limiting salt, be sure to eat potassium rich foods such as bananas, citrus, pears, potatoes, squash, tomatoes, peas, and lima beans.

In the newsletter, Health & Healing, Dr. Julian Whitaker, M.D. says that about half of the people currently on blood pressure medication would no longer need it if they could simply regulate their mineral balance of sodium, potassium, and magnesium. For optimum fluid control at the cellular level, the body's ratio of potassium to sodium should be 5:1. The problem that has been identified as too much sodium is often due to low potassium levels, at least as far as maintaining the 5:1 ratio between the two minerals is concerned. Considering the 200-1000mg per day for sodium, you can figure that the 5:1 ratio would mean 1000-5000mg per day of potassium. Duke University did a double-blind study with potassium supplements. Significant blood pressure decreases of as much as 20 points resulted for those participants who took the supplements. Usually eating a balanced diet will provide enough potassium, and supplements should be taken under a doctor's advice.

Just taking potassium supplements may not be enough, though. Most hypertension patients are taking a diuretic, or perhaps using teas or herbs as a diuretic. This stimulated loss of fluid causes potassium to be excreted along with sodium. Magnesium is also excreted with diuretic use. The body requires magnesium in order to store potassium. When magnesium and potassium are in balance, the potassium works to make the body rid itself of excess sodium and fluid. In other words, if the balance is correct, potassium/magnesium will act like a diuretic and regulate the level of sodium and fluid in the body naturally. Magnesium is a trace mineral that is plentiful in whole-grains and leafy green vegetables, and at lower concentrations in other fresh fruits and vegetables. Only a tiny amount of magnesium is required, which you can easily get from foods.

Sources:
http://altmedicine.about.com/cs/herbsvitaminsek/a/Hypertension.htm
http://www.webmd.com/hypertension-high-blood-pressure/guide/treating-hypertension-naturally
http://www.bodyandfitness.com/Information/Health/bloodpressure.htm