High Blood Pressure: Essential Minerals

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High Blood Pressure: Essential Minerals in Regards to Sodium

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JoAnn Guest

Jan 16, 2004 13:58 PST

 

What is behind the new guidelines for treatment of high blood

pressure?

 

In case you missed it, new classifications of high blood pressure

and guidelines for treatment were release by the National Heart,

Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI).

 

The latest report, " The Seventh Report of the Joint National

Committee on Prevention, Detection, Evaluation, and Treatment of

High Blood Pressure " (JNC 7) was deemed necessary based the

publication of many new clinical trials since the sixth version

was released 6 years ago.

 

High blood pressure is a major risk factor for heart disease and the

chief risk factor for stroke and heart failure, and also can lead to

kidney damage. With the new classification of " prehypertension "

level another 45 million persons are candidates for drug therapy -

but, there is a better way.

 

While I agree 100% with the rationale behind the new classification

and the importance of an optimal blood pressure below 120/80, what I

am totally against are the practical guidelines that overstress the

use of drugs rather than focus on diet, lifestyle, and

appropriate supplementation. Giving people drugs to lower blood

pressure is not the best first step at all. Diet, lifestyle

modification, and proper supplementation should be the very first

steps to high blood pressure management.

 

High blood pressure may be the body'sreaction to perceived danger;

sympathetic nervous system activity constricts peripheral arteries

in order to maintain circulation to the brain.

 

As a short-term response to actual danger, this pattern is not

harmful, but if the sympathetic nerves and the arteries they control

never relax, damage to the cardiovascular system and kidneys can

result, and heart attacks and strokes are likely.

 

Dietary modification is an effective way to manage high blood

pressure, which is by far the more common direction of the

imbalance. A recent

study at six major medical centers found that a low-fat diet rich in

fruits and vegetables helped people lower

their blood pressure most.People in the study ate 10 servings of

fruits and vegetables a day, which helped increase their intake of

potassium, calcium and magnesium, all of which counteract the

blood-pressure-elevating effect of sodium.

 

Recently, doctors have linked chronic fatigue in some people to

neurally mediated hypotension, in which blood pressure plummets

after standing too long,exercising or spending time in a warm

environment. In one study at Johns Hopkins University in

Baltimore, 75 percent of 23 chronic fatigue patients who were

given " sea salt " in their diet reported some improvement.

 

Seasalt's Hidden Powers

 

The following information is an excerpt derived from the book,

" Seasalt's Hidden Powers " .

 

" The late French scientist Dr. Alexis Carrel kept a chicken heart

alive for over 27 years by having the pulsating heart IN A SOLUTION

OF SEA SALT, i.e. isotonic seawater.

 

Dr. Carrel voluntarily ended the experiment after a third of a

century, having proven that living cells can have

physical 'immortality'.

 

Professor Kervran links us to the secret of immortality and reveals

its prime source is trace minerals from seawater [and used in]

remedies.

Other physicians continued research and found fermentations of briny

salt pickles, salted sour plums, and other

salty fermentations to be powerful and effective medicines. "

 

 

Dr. Jacques de Langre, Ph.D., who wrote the book " Seasalt's Hidden

Powers " , states that naturally and properly sunshine-preserved sea

salt

is the difference between life and death, health and illness, social

sanity and planetary panic and its elements are vital for proper

body functions.

 

That natural hand-harvested Celtic ocean salt alone helps to

maintain life, neutralizes toxins and detrimental bacteria, and

enhances all our organic function.

 

Sea salt contains 92 essential minerals and most all adulterated sea

salts contain only 2 elements (Na and Cl. Biologically, 24 of these

elements in real sea salt have already been proven necessary and

essential to maintain and recover health. See Scientific American,

July 1972: " The Chemical Elements of Life, " by Earl Friden.

 

When dietary deficiency of trace elements occurs, cells lose the

ability to control their ions—with dire consequences for humans.

Even a minute loss of ion equilibrium causes cells to burst, nervous

disorder, brain damage, or muscle spasms, as well as a breakdown of

the

cell-regenerating process and growth.

 

In the theory of acid and alkaline balance, chronic disease such as

cancer is caused by the acidification of the blood, lymph and all

cellular tissues.

 

Real sea salt is one of the basic elements necessary part to correct

this problem.

Natural sea salt [reconstituted seawater] allows liquids to freely

cross body membranes, the kidney's glomerulus's and blood vessels

walls.

 

Whenever the sodium chloride concentration rises in the blood, the

water

in the neighboring tissues is attracted to that salt-rich blood, and

the

cells then re-absorb the enriched intra-cellular fluid.

If they are functioning properly, the kidneys remove the saline

fluids easily.

 

" Refined " salt does not allow this free-crossing of liquids and

minerals, and causes 'accumulated' fluids to 'stagnate' in joint,

producing 'edema' and chronic kidney problems.

 

Salt is the single element required for the proper breakdown of

plant

carbohydrates into useable and assimiable human food. Only when sea

salt is added to fruits and vegetables can saliva and gastric

secretions readily break down the " fibrous " store of

carbohydrates, etc.

 

Once the sea salt is dissolved and ionized, the salt possesses a

definite reactivity, has full electromagnetic capabilities, and

passes

more easily into the large colon where it will have a sanitizing

effect.

 

 

Refined Table Salt (mortons):

 

To further prevent any moisture from being reabsorbed, the salt

refiners

add 'aluminosilicate' of sodium or yellow prussiate of soda as

desiccants plus different 'bleaches' to the final salt formula.

 

After these processes, the table salt will no longer " combine " with

human body fluids,

and invariably causes severe problems of " edema " (water retention)

and several other health disturbances.

 

In ancient Celts times, sea salt was used to treat major physical

and mental disturbances, severe burns, and other ailments. Today

biologists attest that seawater

(also called 'mother liquor') restores hydro-electrolytic

imbalances, a disorder that causes loss of immune response, creates

allergies, and

causes many health problems.

 

Also the therapeutic effect of seawater is recognized and used by

the

best European medical professionals because of its effectiveness in

so many situations.

 

The use of real sea salt-free diets are showing up in the reality of

our modern world as society is coming apart. It is basically a

starvation of macro- and trace minerals and biological deficiencies

which cannot be corrected by refined 'sodium chloride' alone.

 

Celtic salt is a good product because it is naturally extracted by

the use of sunshine.

 

If one redissolved salt in water in the proper ratio or combine it

in the moisture of foods, its properties re-create the amazing

powers of the " ocean " and bears an astonishing likeness to human

blood and body fluids.

 

During World War II, Navy doctors would use sea salt water for blood

transfusions when blood supplies ran out and many lives were saved.

 

80 Elements dicovered in Sea Water:

People who eat Refined salt develop cravings for salt, because, the

salt that they eat is not satisfying their needs.

 

Than they use more and more salt, in the desperate try to get what

they need.

big amounts of refined salt (chemical) burden kidneys and adrenal

glands that are very important for calcium utilization.

 

Modern physiology has demonstrated that an excess of refined

salt interferes with the absorption of nutrients and depletes

calcium,

while if used in moderate doses, salt enhances calcium absorption

and nutrient utilization in general.

 

It is known that 'absorption' of calcium depends on the health of

the

kidney-adrenal function and that calcium metabolism is of essential

importance for the health of the nerves, muscles, heart, vascular

system, and bones.

 

Importance of " Dietary Potassium* against Stroke.

 

Potassium is essential for maintaining the fluid balance in our

cells, and is required for the enzymatic reactions taking place

within them.

Potassium is used to convert Glucose into Glycogen for storage and

later release. It is also used for nerve transmission, muscle

contraction, hormone secretion and other functions.

 

Our cells contain more potassium than any other mineral.

A total of approximately 250 mgs of this nutrient can be found in

the adult body.

 

A growing body of evidence indicates that low levels of potassium

are

associated with high blood pressure and deserve much more

attention! Researchers feel that in some cases, low potassium may

play a more significant role in hypertension than high sodium does.

 

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. "

 

In another animal study,potassium supplementation was able to

protect against the kidney damage resulting from hypertension.

 

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.

 

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.

 

Potassium may be depleted following severe tissue injury due to

surgery, or burns, and during prolonged fevers.

The excessive use of steroids, laxatives, and some diuretics also

encourages potassium loss. If a person already has heart disease,

low potassium can worsen the picture!

 

In the body potassium must exist in balance with sodium.So when

considering potassium levels, we must consider sodium levels as well

and watch out for high sodium foods, i.e., canned goods,

luncheon meats, sausages, and frozen foods.

 

Food Sources:

 

Potassium is found in a wide range of foods. Organic and free range

meats and cold-water fish are good sources. Legumes,beans, fruits,

vegetables,and organic whole grains are also respectable sources.

 

People who are taking diuretics for the treatment of high blood

pressure are frequently advised to eat fruits such as bananas,

oranges and organic tomatoes for their potassium content.

 

However, the amount of potassium in these foods is

minimal compared with the amount excreted in urine as a result of

diuretic use! It would take an enormous amount of bananas per day to

provide the recommended amount of potassium for a patient taking

diuretics!

 

Many physicians often prescribe high-dose potassium supplements for

these patients. However it is doubtful that the potassium is

sufficiently replaced even then, considering the amounts that are

flushed on out of the body with these powerful drugs!

 

Bear in mind, too, that potassium is lost through cooking, although

the amount of potassium lost varies according to the cooking method

used. A boiled potato may have lost up to 50 percent of its original

potassium content. A steamed potato, only 3 to 6 percent.

 

TOXICITY AND ADVERSE EFFECTS

Potassium toxicity is seen when daily intakes exceed 18 grams, an

amount that is unlikely to be ingested through foods.

Toxicity usually occurs only through the uneducated use of

supplements, or when an individual has kidney failure.

 

Magnesium:

 

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 for this

is not yet completely understood, but it is thought that magnesium

helps

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

*calcium* into 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 vitamins A and C were also lower in people with higher

blood pressures.

 

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

say the ratio should be equal. Watch for further studies related to

this).

 

A complete mineral formula is essential

This should provide:

 

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.

 

Some Additional Tips for High Blood Pressure:

 

David Edelberg, M.D. an internist and medical director of the

American Holistic Center of Chicago, has suggested the following as

a nutritional therapy for lowering high blood pressure:

 

1) Cut back on refined sugar, refined salt and sodium, caffeine and

alcohol

2) Reduce or eliminate Dairy and red meat in the diet,

(substitute non-gmo Organic brands such as Laura's Lean Beef &

Horizon Dairy)

3) 400 mgs of magnesium, two or three times each day

4) one tablespoon of Udo's (www.udoerasmus.com) oil once a day or

more

5) 75 mgs of coenzyme Q10, three times a day

6) two hawthorn berry capsules, at least twice a day

 

 

Remember: If you have a medical condition, please consult your

physician before taking supplements.

 

JoAnn Guest

mrsjo-

DietaryTi-

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