November 2021-High Blood Pressure

High Blood Pressure/Hypertension Concerns
Those with elevated blood pressure(BP) are at greater risk for heart disease, stroke and kidney disease. High blood pressure has a number of causes. Considering the fact that native populations have very low levels of high blood pressure, hypertension is considered a condition of modern lifestyle.  Essential Hypertension means that it is idiopathic, a diagnosis that suggests “we don’t know what is causing it.” This can lead directly to prescription medications, often without a thorough investigation into what the cause(s) may be.
 
What can cause blood pressure to rise? Stress has been implicated. Stress-reduction techniques may provide significant help. These can include things like meditation, psychotherapy and  visualization. Physical activity like exercise, sports and yoga have been shown to positively affect blood pressure. Diet is known to be a major contributor.
 
Hypertension is commonly related to Metabolic Syndrome. This syndrome results in insulin resistance and is considered to be “Pre-diabetes” or on the “Diabetic Spectrum”. According to the National Institutes of Health the diagnosis of Metabolic Syndrome can be made if three of the following five conditions are present:
Waist size > 35” for females, >40” for males Triglycerides > 150 mg/Dl Fasting glucose > 100 or on medication for blood sugar Blood pressure > 130/85 mm Hg or on medication for blood pressure HDL < 40 mg/Dl for men, <50 mg/Dl for women  
Diabetes, metabolic syndrome, pre-diabetes, diabesity, and insulin resistance are all basically a blood sugar handling problem. With the exception of type 1 or juvenile diabetes, these are almost entirely the result of eating too many sweets and starches too often. The body’s ability to metabolize that much carbohydrate is limited and is often overwhelmed by the Standard American Diet (SAD). This way of eating results in elevated levels of insulin. While normal levels of insulin are critical for health, too much insulin leads to three basic problems, all of which are associated with hypertension.
High insulin is pro-inflammatory which is implicated in hypertension High insulin is anti-diuretic leading to fluid accumulation which raises BP High insulin leads to weight-loss resistance, obesity and thus hypertension  
As this part of hypertension is a dietary problem the only solution that gets to the cause requires a change in what and when we eat. While medications may reduce BP and thus the associated risks, they may not be able to fully compensate for the increased morbidity and mortality associated with hypertension.
 
Mayo Clinic recommends a comprehensive approach:
Regular exercise Weight loss Healthy diet Stop smoking Stress reduction These are all inter-related. Exercise reduces stress, appetite and the urge to smoke. Healthy diet leads to weight loss.
 
Healthy diets should provide all the nutrients for a normally functioning vascular system capable of self-regulation. Given the way our food is grown, shipped, preserved and prepared many nutrients are lost. Herbicide and pesticide residues can be toxic and often disrupt absorption and utilization. Common deficiencies contributing to hypertension include minerals like magnesium and certain nutrients like vitamin B complex. It is generally safe to experiment while doing regular BP checks and consulting with a qualified medical professional.  Supplements have a very good safety record but use the cautionary principle.  Each person is an individual with unique nutrient requirements. Diet and supplementation should be based on comprehensive testing to determine actual need. Test to determine baseline need and retest to monitor progress.
 
Because insulin resistance is such a common cause, one “healthy diet” specific to hypertension is a low carb healthy fat diet (LFHF). Many health professionals are helping patients find success with this approach. This way of eating calls for a reduction of carbohydrate intake to 20-50/day and eating more healthy fats. Some of the names for this type of diet are Atkins, Keto and Low carb. Other people with hypertension may find help by eating vegetarian or vegan.
 
As these are very different way of eating for many, finding a doctor, clinic or nutritionist with experience can be critical to your success. They can help you make the necessary changes to reduce your BP.  Often when you deal with the underlying cause(s) of your elevated BP it may improve or even return to normal. This can necessitate adjusting medication levels.  As you improve the conditions that lead to elevated BP it is very important to consult with your doctor and to monitor your BP closely and regularly.