Posted on 04/06/2017 10:59:00 AM PDT by Tilted Irish Kilt
"Decreasing sodium intake is a well-established way to lower blood pressure," McDonough says, "but evidence suggests that increasing dietary potassium may have an equally important effect on hypertension."
Hypertension is a global health issue that affects more than one billion people worldwide.
The World Health Organization estimates that hypertension is responsible for at least 51 percent of deaths due to stroke and 45 percent of deaths due to heart disease.
McDonough explored the link between blood pressure and dietary sodium, potassium and the sodium-potassium ratio in a review article
published in the April 2017 issue of the American Journal of Physiology - Endocrinology and Metabolism.
The review looked at population, interventional and molecular mechanism studies that investigated the effects of dietary sodium and potassium on hypertension.
McDonough's review found several population studies demonstrating that higher dietary potassium (estimated from urinary excretion or dietary recall)
was associated with lower blood pressure, regardless of sodium intake.
Interventional studies with potassium supplementation also suggested that potassium provides a direct benefit.
McDonough reviewed recent studies in rodent models, from her own lab and others, to illustrate the mechanisms for potassium benefit.
These studies indicated that the body does a balancing act that uses sodium to maintain close control of potassium levels in the blood,
which is critical to normal heart, nerve and muscle function.
(Excerpt) Read more at medicalxpress.com ...
Increasing dietary potassium will take a conscious effort, however.
McDonough explains that our early ancestors ate primitive diets that were high in fruits, roots, vegetables, beans and grains (all higher in potassium) and very low in sodium.
As a result, humans evolved to crave sodium—but not potassium.
Modern diets, however, have changed drastically since then: processed food companies add salt to satisfy our cravings, and processed foods are usually low in potassium.
Eating potassium-rich foods like sweet potatoes, avocados, spinach, beans, bananas—and even coffee—could be key to lowering blood pressure,
according to Alicia McDonough, PhD, professor of cell and neurobiology at the Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California (USC).
There’s that word again “Could” meaning nope you dope
This is nothing new, eat more bananas !!!!!!!
Omega 3 is known to lower blood pressure. Salmon and olive oil. Yeah, baby.
Helps with leg cramps too...
Strange about the potassium, as most blood pressure medications produce too much potassium, I am told.
most blood pressure medications produce too much potassium profit, I am told.
There. Fixed it.
{ says the cash-cow who refuses to get milked as he pours another cup of coffee, black }
You can buy eggs high in Omega 3. They taste a little better, too.
>> Decreasing sodium intake is a well-established way to lower blood pressure <<
All that does is make you crave salt.
Your blood pressure is regulated by your adrenal grands (on top of your kidneys). The adrenal glands use sodium, potassium and several hormones to regulate the blood pressure. High sodium is the effect not the cause.
‘even coffee’ - so basically I have an intravenous feed of potassium - is that what he’s staying here???
[[Helps with leg cramps too...]]
Best thing for leg cramps is a bottle of Tonic Water.
One bottle contains just enough quinine to stop leg cramps for about 24-30 hours.
The use of quinine for leg cramps abatement was something the British army discovered when they were in India.
Hi Team, it’s OK to let them know about the Dietary Potassium BP fix re:findings from our internal labs. Sale targets reached and Generic regulations have expired. Let’s shift more marketing into that cervical cancer vaccine for boys and cats. Haha
Lipitor project management.
My initial response was that sometimes it’s just genetics. Despite my over a decade efforts to not follow in my mother’s footsteps (high bp in forties, heart attack at 51), my blood pressure inexplicably shot up at age 41. My doc offered no explanation other than genetics. I tried for several months to get it down without meds: big mistake. I spent that winter feeling sick from it.
I eat fresh fruits and veggies daily, usually a salad of spring greens twice a day. However, after reading the list in this article I realize that other than potatoes and an occasional avacado, I don’t eat potassium rich produce. Not even coffee as I switched to tea about 10 years ago...to be healthier.
I think I’ll go have a cup of coffee now.
Thankfully you read between the lines, Jack... I'll try that.
From 17 yrs old to 56 yrs old mt BP is 120 over 80. Rock steady. The other day it comes out 110 over 70. WTF makes it go down?
>> Best thing for leg cramps is a bottle of Tonic Water. One bottle contains just enough quinine to stop leg cramps for about 24-30 hours.
> Thankfully you read between the lines, Jack... I’ll try that.
Unfortunately you need to drink the tonic water before the leg cramps. I usually get bouts of them for 4 or 5 nights, so I suffer through the first night and sleep fine after that.
>> Best thing for leg cramps is a bottle of Tonic Water. One bottle contains just enough quinine to stop leg cramps for about 24-30 hours.
> Thankfully you read between the lines, Jack... I’ll try that.
Unfortunately you need to drink the tonic water before the leg cramps. I usually get bouts of them for 4 or 5 nights, so I suffer through the first night and sleep fine after that.
I first learned about tonic water and leg cramps from my doctor.
Trust me - reducing leg cramps to one night in the series - rather than three or four straight nights - will be a blessing. Again, thanks for sharing this Jack.
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