High Blood Pressure - Mineral Supplementation

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High Blood Pressure- Mineral Supplementation JoAnn Guest Jul 25, 2003 10:34

PDT

Normal blood pressure is vital to the nutrition of our cells. When

the blood in the capillary beds becomes concentrated from the loss

of plasma,

 

the blood protein (albumin) attracts tissue fluids that

carry waste into the blood vessels.

 

Thus, by virtue of the blood pressure, all tissues are constantly

bathed in fresh, nutrient-laden fluids. Also, the breakdown products

from worn-out cells are removed.

 

However, when larger amounts of oxygen and nutrients are needed, the

contraction of tiny muscles in

the arterial walls causes the pressure to increase and supplies to

be pushed more quickly to the cells.

 

On the other hand, if few nutrients are required, these muscles relax,

the pressure decreases, and food is conserved.

 

As the blood pressure goes up, the heart muscle must work harder to

push blood throughout the body.

 

Just as with other muscles in the body, the heart can compensate for the

extra work by getting bigger

and stronger, but over the years, the heart basically gets worn out.

Two things usually happen to the heart as a result.

 

First, hypertension accelerates atherosclerosis by stressing and

damaging the inside lining of the arteries, promoting plaque

formation.

 

Since the heart is working harder, it requires a greater blood

supply. Too much plaque can slow or stop the supply to the heart,

resulting in a heart attack.

 

Second, hypertension damages the capillaries throughout the body,

including the heart muscle.

 

As a result, the muscle cells don't get the oxygen and nutrients they

need as easily, and the heart doesn't beat as strongly.

 

Slowly the heart chambers begin to dilate in an attempt to maintain

the blood pressure, but eventually this fails.

The heart becomes enlarged, floppy and ineffective in pumping blood,

and the result is congestive heart failure.

 

 

Importance of " Dietary " *Potassium* against Stroke.

 

A study by Kay-Tee Khaw, M.D. and Elizabeth Barrett-Connor, M.D.,

found that a high intake of dietary potassium protected people

against stroke and stroke-related deaths.

 

In fact, they found that " as little as one extra serving of a

potassium-rich food, such as a fruit or vegetable, may reduce the risk

of stroke death by up to 40 percent. "

 

These researchers based their findings on a study of 850 men and women

in an affluent community in southern California.

 

During the twelve years covered by their study, 24 stroke-related

deaths occurred. These individuals were all found to have

significantly lower potassium intake than survivors and individuals

who died from causes other than stroke.

 

They also found the relationship between dietary potassium and

stroke mortality was independent of blood pressure, as it also was

of obesity, cholesterol level, cigarette smoking, alcohol and blood

sugar.

 

They found that a lack of potassium intake was the independent risk

factor in these stroke-related deaths. One does not

need to take a very big leap of logic to conclude that an increased

intake of potassium *lowers* the *risk* of stroke, and a decreased

intake raises the risk!

 

Sodium to Potassium RATIO

 

A one-year study headed by James C. Smith, Jr. Ph.D., a chemist at

the USDA's Agriculture Research service found that the 28 men and

women in their study ate too much refined table salt (sodium chloride)

and not enough potassium, exceeding the safe and adequate daily ratio

recommended by the National Academy of Sciences in Washington, D.C.

 

That ratio is 600 mgs of sodium for 1,000 mg of potassium.

 

The adults in this study were consuming 1,300 mgs of sodium daily for

every 1,000 mgs of potassium.

 

Recommended Range

 

As a matter of general information, a teaspoon of refined table salt

contains about 2,500 mg of sodium.

 

The recommended range of potassium is between 1,900 mg and 5,600 mg

daily.

 

Vitamin and mineral supplements, by FDA regulation, are only allowed

to contain 99 mgs of potassium.

 

To take a higher amount you may need to include more potassium rich

foods and/or need a prescription.

 

How silly this seems when a medium-sized banana contains approximately

630 mg of potassium.

 

When people consume a *high level* of potassium in their diets, they

*excrete* more " sodium " in their urine.

 

But when the opposite is true, they retain excess sodium in fluids

surrounding cells in the body.

 

Urinalysis can determine if your potassium and sodium intakes are

out of balance, and if either is too high or low.

 

Monitor your potassium levels.

 

If you are using a diuretic (herbal or otherwise), or are on blood

pressure medication, you may need a physicians prescription for

extra potassium. It would be wise to have your potassium levels

monitored regularly.

 

Remember, when potassium is *lost* by a " diuretic " drug, so is

magnesium!!

 

You may need to supplement this mineral also!

 

Magnesium is Critical and Essential!!

 

The Journal of the American College of Nutrition reported that

magnesium suppelements are essential for helping control the blood

pressure in people with hypertension.

 

The exact mechanism is not yet completely understood, but it is thought

that magnesium helps drop

blood pressure by regulating the *entry-exit* " process " of *calcium* in

the smooth muscle cells of the vascular network.

 

In combination, magnesium and calcium appear to help the blood vessels

contract and relax properly!

 

The interaction of magnesium and calcium gives the calcium the ability

to get where it has to in the cells.

 

Then, magnesium facilitates calcium in getting to the right place where

it has a relaxing effect.

 

Hypertensives were shown to have significantly *less* magnesium in their

cells than did normal people!

 

The British researchers reported their findings in the " Proceedings

of the National Academy of Science., " They noted that previous

studies had shown magnesium supplementation to be an effective

hypotensive (lowering) agent in various types of blood pressure.

 

 

Intakes of potassium and vitamins A and C were also lower in people

with higher blood pressures, while cholesterol intake was not

consistently different. These researchers, who reported their study

in " Science " , concluded that diets that restrict the intake of

calories, sodium or cholesterol may also reduce the intake of

calcium and other mineral nutrients which may be protective against

hypertension.

 

Calcium should be balanced with magnesium. (Note: Some researchers say

the ratio should be equal.

Watch for further studies related to this.) And of course, potassium

must be taken for additional benefits.

 

You should include a complete mineral formula which provides:

 

Selenium, zinc, copper, chromium, iodine, boron, manganese,

potassium and vitamin E. It would also be important to include a

complete " stress " vitamin B-complex. You should check the potencies

of your vitamin and mineral formulas to see if they are adequate.

 

Note: Refined salt is deficient in natural minerals, which are depleted

during the refining process. This makes it much more harmful

than sea-salt. Use Celtic sea-salt for maximum health benefits.

 

JoAnn Guest

mrsjo-

DietaryTi-

http://www.topica.com/lists/Melanoma

http://www.topica.com/Herbalwisdom

http://www.geocities.com/mrsjoguest/Hypertension.html

 

 

 

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