Aditya S.   Consultant
EAT  FOOD AS MEDICINE;  OR MEDICINE WILL BECOME YOUR FOOD

 

If you have been diagnosed with high blood pressure and/or cholesterol you are probably confused
and worried about what this means for your health.

 

Do you need to take medications?

Are there going to be side effects?

What's this going to cost?

Should you seek a second opinion?

What can you do to lower your levels?

Can you lower your levels naturally and avoid medication?

 

The answer is "YES". You can lower your levels
naturally and reduce or eliminate the need for medication.

 

High blood pressure contributes to an alarming number of
deaths each year. Although it may not have apparent symptoms, high blood
pressure leads to heart attacks and strokes aside from also causing kidney
failure. You can reduce your blood pressure by reducing your weight (if you?re
obese) and making a few small changes in your life, say doctors.



- Walk it out ? Walking at a brisk pace can help lower your pressure. A good
workout will ensure the heart uses oxygen more efficiently. It makes a huge
difference



- Deep Breathing ?  Learning some slow
breathing and meditation techniques can do you wonders. It will help reduce
stress drastically and keep your blood pressure in check. Try taking out 10
minutes every morning and at night. Inhale and exhale deeply. Join a yoga class
to learn the proper method. You can learn from TV and videos also.



- Go for potassium-rich foods ?Potassium is an essential mineral to counter the
effects of sodium on blood pressure. Fruits and vegetables are rich in
potassium. Baked potato has the maximum potassium and then comes banana.



- Go slow on the salt ? Substitute salt with lime, garlic, pepper or other
herbs and spices. Avoid packaged foods. Potato chips, frozen chicken nuggets,
bacon etc are high in sodium. Try calculating your daily sodium consumption.
Keep a food diary and you may be surprised at how much you're taking in.



- Dark chocolate benefits ? The darker variety of chocolate has flavonols that
make blood vessels more elastic. Choose one that has at least 70 per cent cocoa
to really reap the benefits.



- Alcohol alert ?Keep a check on your drinking patterns and if you're a heavy
drinker, start reducing slowly. Consuming four or five drinks in a row can
cause a sudden increase in blood pressure. Small amounts can help prevent heart
attacks and coronary artery disease.



- Tea benefits ? Herbal teas are the way to go. In a study conducted, those who
sipped on hibiscus tea daily lowered their blood pressure. Many herbal teas
contain hibiscus or you can always opt for green tea. The effects of caffeine
are still debatable. Drinking caffeinated beverages can temporarily increase
pressure. The solution is to check your pressure within 30 minutes of drinking
a cup of coffee to determine if it works for your body.



- Reduce work and relax ? Reducing the number of hours you spend in office can
help lower hypertension. Working overtime makes it hard to exercise and eat
healthy. Ensure that you get out of office at a decent hour. Learning to relax
by listening to soothing music (Classical, Oriental or Indian instrumental) can
help.

 

- Acupressure ? This ancient science is surfacing because it
is effective. Learn and use it.

 

- Toxicins ? These are the waste products in our body which
comes out in urine, stool and perspiration. We clean the house everyday but
clean it thoroughly before a festival. We must clean our body thoroughly at
least 2 times a year. Naturopathy teaches that through strict control of food
and yoga.
Mar 20th 2010 10:00