Utilizing natural methods for controlling and even curing conditions for others is of course not just the basis of my career, but my own personal lifestyle. The advantages of providing the body with the resources to cure itself are almost too numerous to list.
A key advantage includes avoiding serious and even life threatening side effects of many medications.
Blood Pressure medicine while quick and convenient to prescribe and take can leave a person with new and usually surprising problems. Just a few of the reported side effects include headaches, dizziness, nausea, joint pain, fatigue and sexual dysfunction. Some of the more serious side effects even include stroke and heart attack (the very problems the drugs are designed to prevent.)
An important reminder about these medications though is that even if you are experiencing these symptoms, you should almost never suddenly discontinue the medicine. The problems with the drugs should be discussed with your doctor even if you also choose to pursue natural treatments.
One place many people start with when trying to control blood pressure is with the food they eat. This makes great sense especially since choosing and preparing food is within an individual’s direct control. This also happens to be a popular question I get so I’m happy to share some foods I’ve found to be at least somewhat helpful.
Celery acts as a natural diuretic and is also touted to have a “negative caloric effect.” This means it actually requires more calories to digest it than the food even has. You might prefer to drink celery juice or combine it with other roots such as carrots.
Eating papaya on an empty stomach each day for a month is also recommended by many naturopaths. This should be eaten in the morning daily for a month. Eat the papaya alone and refrain from eating other foods for at least two hours afterward.
Another food I’ve tested many times is garlic. You can eat it in its natural form or packed into your meal. I’ve actually witnessed it lowering blood pressure in minutes by taking a reading before the meal, and eating the garlic.
Decreasing the fat, sugar and red meat in your diet can also help lower cholesterol as well as help in controlling blood pressure.
The DASH eating plan even provides specific diet and serving recommendations and is based on scientific studies centered on reduced sodium diets. It was most effective for those suffering high blood pressure but also lowered blood pressure for those who had pre-hypertension.
DASH calls for whole grains, raw vegetables, fruits and non-fat or low fat dairy products. Fats and oils are allowed in limited quantities.
While I do believe that adjusting your diet can be very beneficial for blood pressure as well as weight control and overall health, it is still extremely important to address the underlying stress factors to insure blood pressure remains in a healthy range permanently.
My Hypertension No More program focuses on increased oxygen and eliminating stress. Combining this with a healthy diet can allow you to look at a future free of blood pressure medications. I hope you’ll give your body the chance to heal itself if you are suffering.
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