Natural Sweeteners, Cooking And Your Health

If you are eager about reducing your blood pressure, then there are a number of healthy consumption decisions which you may make to accomplish this. Now you could have, sooner or later, asked the question, “why is hypertension bad anyway”? Basically, high blood pressure puts loads of strain on the arteries and, over the course of time, this can promote fatty deposits known as plaque on the interior walls. These plaque deposits put you at excessive danger for coronary heart attack and stroke. Everything that you are able to do to lower your blood pressure will lead you to a cheerful and wholesome life and eating routine is an effective place to start out the procedure.

The meals which you consume plays a very big function in your blood pressure in addition to your overall wellbeing. Find as many ways to consume low fat meals such as low fat dairy products. This can go a great distance in direction of decreasing your blood pressure.

The following will probably be a outcome when you’re consuming meals which are high in fats just as most dairy products are.  The fat is going to build up in your arteries and if this happens, your arteries are going to be harder for the blood to get through.  For your blood to get by your arteries like it must be taking place, your heart is going to have to work harder.  This will mean that your blood pressure will get higher. If this happens, you are going to have a greater chance of having a heart attack and stroke.   You will also be extra succeptable to getting more disease that you simply may not have to fret about should you had decrease blood pressure.

What you eat is very important to your well being and getting your blood pressure to be lower.  Taking the time to consume low fat dairy is an effective method that you would be able to actually help your self to be in good health.  The lower fat dairy is simple to grow accustomed to once you have tried it and witness what it is like. After you have got been consuming it for some time, you won’t even be aware that you’ve changed over. And of course, the best part is that you’re going to be creating a really wholesome body for yourself. So change your dairy use to low fat, grow used to it so you may be doing it persistently, and you will be positive to have countless healthy years in front of you.

In summary then, be really careful about what you place into your body, particularly with regards to dairy products. The affect in your life can be really profound, your blood pressure will stay inside a sensible range and you can be a lot healthier within the long run.

Check out these blogs for up to date knowledge on healthful dieting and weight reduction: Healthy Weight Loss , How To Lose Weight and Losing Weight

What is happening in America? Subsequently, countless people are living with hypertension (high blood pressure) and are not improving. Obviously, this ailment is not understood except to treat the symptoms rather than the underlying problem. American Heart Association stats indicates just how this condition is not improving:

High blood pressure (hypertension) killed 57,356 people in the United States in 2005.

Clearly, there is a severe epidemic in the U.S. and it seems we are not taking a deserving all out attack on this enemy. High blood pressure is a greater danger to the American people than any terrorist attack. This is where the money and research needs to be focussed. Wouldn’t you concur?

It is very clear to see that one contributing cause of the condition is not knowing the origin which is essential to finding its solution.

The UNDERLYING CAUSE 

DO YOU HAVE TOXIC BLOOD? HOW DOES THE BLOOD BECOME TOXIC?

When the blood becomes saturated with unfiltered blood then its ability to maintain body systems and organs is compromised. Blood quality determines every cell’s capability to carry out its function. Normally, blood feeds the body. However, when the blood is in excess, it pollutes the entire body. As we age, over-stress, ingest a poor diet, etc. blood components can build up unless detoxification is employed or the primary blood filters in the body are supported to do their function.

If the blood remains toxic for too long then an acidic environment is created. The outcome is a deterioration of circulatory vessel walls. The condition results in a scarring process where components of blood (fibrin) fill in the inflamed or damaged areas. This backing up of toxic blood potentiates, makes for blood sluggishness, and further, obstructs the cleansing process. If the circulatory plumbing is not cleared out then all organs suffer while the aging process speeds up. Its important at this stage that balance is re-established before established damage occurs.

There are different conditions that are involved with causation of toxic build-up. From a Chinese medicine perspective, the body can involve singular or multiple constitutional conditions. The primary (6) body types are:

cold<—————>hot
damp<————->dry
deficient<——–>excess

When the body becomes or specific organ become extreme in one of the constitutional conditions above then toxicity occurs. In order to move the imbalance or over toxicity to a balanced or neutral status, the body or its organ(s) need help to move in the other direction of the continuum.

Additionally, Its very important to discern which constitution is primary so treatment priority can be arrived at before tackling obvious symptoms. Again, the goal of the correction process is to achieve balance or neutral status. That is the mid-point between cold and hot, damp and dry, and deficient and excess. Anchoring the body’s constitutional center, makes possible, peak health where the symptoms fall away, health re-establishes.

Summary: Excess constitution with heat and dampness characteristics stemming from over-ingestion of rich, greasy, spicy, refined, intoxicating foods. Foods: excess red meat, eggs, cheese, fried foods, salt, excess sweet, refined & stale flour and oil products, chemicals, drugs and acoholic drinks.

When the body becomes overwhelmed by the above foods then the blood, organs and body becomes toxic and malfuctioning. The extreme state injures the body where, eventually, due to blockage, deficiency results with conditions of arthritis, tumor, diabetes, etc. The log jam in circulation generates higher body temperature and flow pressure causing the following conditions – high blood pressure, constipation, excess weight, stroke and many more circulation ailments. The remedy is purging and cleansing.with bitter herbs and foods. Bitter eradicates body heat while cooling and leaches moisture retained in the body. There may be exceptions which require a seasoned Master herbalist’s (traditional chinese herbs) input.

“Sweet makes you bitter while bitter makes you sweeter” Nei jing

For more in-depth knowledge on the cause of High Blood and Food Therapy that benefits this condition go to:  High Blood Pressure Herbs & Food Therapy

What is happening in America? So many people walking around with high blood pressure (hypertension) and not getting any better. Obviously, this ailment is not understood except to treat the symptoms rather than the underlying problem. American Heart Association stats indicates just how this condition is not improving:

High blood pressure (hypertension) killed 57,356 people in the United States in 2005.

Clearly, there is a severe epidemic in the U.S. and it seems we are not taking a deserving all out attack on this enemy. High blood pressure is a greater danger to the American people than any terrorist attack. This is where the money and research needs to be focussed. Wouldn’t you concur?

Ignorance of how we are polluting our bodies, obviously contributes to our not discovering an essential solution to high blood pressure.

The UNDERLYING CAUSE 

DO YOU HAVE TOXIC BLOOD? HOW DOES THE BLOOD BECOME TOXIC?

When the blood becomes saturated with unfiltered blood then its ability to maintain body systems and organs is compromised. Blood quality determines every cell’s capability to carry out its function. Normally, blood feeds the body. However, when the blood is in excess, it pollutes the entire body. As we age, over-stress, ingest a poor diet, etc. blood elements can back up unless detoxification is utilized or the principal blood cleaners in the physical body are sustained enabling their function.

If the blood remains toxic for too long then an acidic environment is created. The result is a breakdown of vascular walls. This involves a scarring effect with blood components filling in the damged areas. This build-up complicates the process of cleansing. If the circulatory plumbing is not cleared out then all organs suffer while the aging process speeds up. Its important at this stage that balance is re-established before established damage occurs.

There are different conditions that are involved with causation of toxic build-up. From a Chinese medicine perspective, the body can involve singular or multiple constitutional conditions. The principal six constitutions of the body are:

cold<—————>hot
damp<————->dry
deficient<——–>excess

At what time, the physical body or its internal organs develop into one of the constitutional conditions (above) then toxicity happens. In order to move the imbalance or over toxicity to a balanced or neutral status, the body or its organ(s) need help to move in the other direction of the continuum.

Additionally, Its very important to discern which constitution is primary so treatment priority can be arrived at before tackling obvious symptoms. Again, the goal of the correction process is to achieve balance or neutral status. That is the mid-point between cold and hot, damp and dry, and deficient and excess. Establishing the center of these continuums brings about optimal health where the symptoms subside, health anchors.

Summary: Excess constitution with heat and dampness characteristics stemming from over-ingestion of rich, greasy, spicy, refined, intoxicating foods. Foods: excess red meat, eggs, cheese, fried foods, salt, excess sweet, refined & stale flour and oil products, chemicals, drugs and acoholic drinks.

When the body becomes overwhelmed by the above foods then the blood, organs and body becomes toxic and malfuctioning. The excess wears the body down into deficiency resulting in conditions of arthritis, tumor, diabetes, etc. The blockages in vasularity produces heat and pressure resulting in the following conditions – high blood pressure, constipation, excess weight, stroke and circulation ailments. The remedy expels and decontaminates.with bitter herbs and foods. Bitter eradicates body heat while cooling and leaches moisture retained in the body. There may be exceptions which require a seasoned Master herbalist’s (traditional chinese herbs) input.

“Sweet makes you bitter while bitter makes you sweeter” Nei jing

For more in-depth knowledge on the cause of High Blood and Food Therapy that benefits this condition go to:  High Blood Pressure Herbs & Food Therapy

Did you know that if you have diabetes you have a better chance of dying from heart illness or stroke and it doesn’t make several difference if you are a female or a man? One reason is high blood levels of sugar make the walls of your blood vessels thicker and cause them to lose their elasticity, which in turn makes it harder for blood to pass through.

Multiplicity 1 diabetes is know as juvenile-onset diabetes and usually affects children and young adults and is genetically-linked. The following are a few conditions that are typically found inside people with type 2 diabetes, which is know since adult-onset diabetes, heart illness and stroke.

Depression: Depression doubles the risk of a person getting diabetes and following being diagnosed using diabetes a person will go through basic lifestyle changes which will cause them to be extra depressed. Diet changes and taking medicines are among the things that cause them to be more depressed.

Obesity: Obesity is a major risk factor for cardiovascular illness and strongly associated using insulin resistance. Loosing weight has been shown to enhance heart-health along with diabetes.

Inactivity: Lack of usage is another primary risk factor. Along with loosing weight, apply has helped to reduce blood anxiety and the risk of heart attack and stroke.

Hypertension: High blood anxiety has long been infamous as a basic risk factor for heart illness and stroke. If you have both high blood and diabetes your risk for heart infection doubles.

A symptom of diabetes is the skin of a diabetic person becomes very dry and flaky due to excessive loss of water, leading to dehydration which might result in a coma. Also it takes a long time for sores or cuts to treat. Diabetes is commonly accompanied by sudden weight loss. There are several things that can be or can not be a symptom of diabetes. If you believe you might have diabetes, go to your general practitioner exact away to find out and it never hurts to have your heart checked out at the same period.

Broccoli is a very versatile veg today. This vegetable can be eaten raw with a dip, tossed lightly into a stir fry or steamed and served with butter. Another veg that one can consider i the broccoli sprouts. Broccoli sprouts are just as good as broccoli and can be a nice alternative to serving broccoli in the traditional sense.

Broccoli sprouts are very easy to grow and even if you do not have a large garden, you can still be enjoying homegrown sprouts in a matter of days. This vegetable is tasty and can be added to a sandwich or a salad and it taste perfect. The nutrients in broccoli sprouts are the same as the traditional heads of broccoli that we are all used to since young.  Broccoli is extremely good for removing the hardening of the arteries.

Most of the kids will walk away from veg that they are not familiar with. If you explain to them that the sprouts are just another form of the broccoli that they see in their salad, they will probably be more likely to give this vegetable a chance.  You can also try adding the broccoli sprouts to their familiar dishes.This is a very good way to intro the veg to your family. When sprouts are added to a beef stir fry, the taste blends perfect together with the other ingredients.  It is also just as easy to to add the sprouts to other dishes.

For many, broccoli is probably not their favourite food. It is not even in their list.  For these people, the idea of eating the vegetable is really unappetizing. Do note that the broccoli flavour is not the same as the flavor of a head of broccoli. You must give the sprouts a try and see if you like it.  

Broccoli is full of nutirents and they are an inexpensive way to add a nutritional food to your menu. Do more experiment and create your own dish.You will just go crazy over it. More about this at digestive enzyme supplements and digestive enzyme supplements diy.

You might believe that you are destined to take medications all of your life if you have hypertension, or high blood pressure, in order to control the problem. But this is not necessarily so. Many individuals can keep their blood pressure in the healthy range by relying on alternative hypertension treatments, though some will need to keep their blood pressure down through medication. When you consult with your physician, here are some examples of natural high blood pressure control you’ll want to discuss with him or her.

A great choice for an alternative approach to high blood pressure control is supplements. Several herbal treatments and plants may help relieve mild hypertension. It can be encouraging to know that you’re handling your high blood pressure through natural and safe means instead of putting a lot of chemicals into your body.

A garlic powder supplement is a great one to start with. Garlic powder supplements have shown promising results in recent studies for lowering blood pressure. Actually, researchers were so impressed that they claim the days of utilizing garlic as a medical treatment for high blood pressure are not far away. This could be a treatment approach for you to consider if your level of hypertension is mild. One caution about garlic treatment is that you should not take it along with blood thinners because it acts as a blood thinner itself. Because of its blood thinning qualities, you should stop taking garlic at least two weeks before having any kind of surgical treatment.

Moreover, you could try fish oil supplements, which contain DHA. This natural substance is known to help lower blood pressure. Folic acid also helps lower blood pressure. Although this supplement is often used for fetal development, folic acid is also helpful in lowering blood pressure.

One very good way to treat hypertension is to make changes in your lifestyle which include diet and exercise. Your health care provider will be able to give you a high blood pressure approved diet to follow. One aspect of this kind of diet is that it will only include two milligrams of sodium a day. Unfortunately for today’s busy consumer, most prepared meals like frozen dinners contain as much as 1,500 milligrams of sodium. So you can probably guess that low sodium diets may not be easy to stay on.

Before taking medication that may be unnecessary, it’s probably best to experiment to see if there are other alternative high blood pressure treatments that will be just as effective. It will require that you make a big commitment to your health, but the final result makes it all worthwhile.

Exercising is one of the keys to having a healthy body. It doesn’t only make you look better, but it will also help you feel a lot better. If you don’t exercise, then you will eventually risk getting diseases that can really affect your life. Inactivity can lead to heart related diseases and it can also lead to diabetes.

First of all, type 2 diabetes is a chronic disease of lifestyle that many people are experiencing today. This disease is affected by a lot of factors, such as your weight and your activity levels. These two things are in your complete control and you need to do the right thing in order for you to effectively manage the disease.

Exercise does help diabetes. It can reduce your body’s insulin requirements in many ways. Exercise is able to improve the sensitivity of body to insulin. This increases the capacity of the cells in your body to absorb insulin. Exercise is capable of increasing the use of blood glucose in your body.

What this means is that it will be able to lower the blood glucose levels in your body, which can possibly reduce the amount of medication you need in order to treat and manage the disease. If you have type 2 diabetes, exercising regularly can even eliminate the need for constant medication, especially if you accompany exercise with a healthy eating plan.

You also need to keep in mind that diabetics have higher risks of high blood pressure and acquiring heart related disease as well as stroke. This is why it is more important for you to exercise now in order for you to reduce the risk of heart related diseases.

Exercise will improve your blood circulation particularly in the legs and arms. This is where people suffering from diabetes usually have problems and with exercise, it will be able to help.

You also need to keep in mind that stress can raise blood glucose levels. And, everyone knows for a fact that exercising helps reduce stress levels. So, if you want to keep your blood glucose levels from spiking, you have to reduce stress through exercise.

Lastly, one great benefit of exercise for diabetics is that it will be able to significantly improve the quality of life.

The next step is by knowing the right exercises for diabetics. You need to remember that the best exercises for diabetics are cardiovascular and aerobic exercises. However, you need to choose an exercise that is not hard on the feet as injuring the feet may lead to more serious problems especially for diabetics.

So, go for gentle walking, swimming and cycling. These exercises will be able to work your heart and circulatory system. You can also try playing racket sports, such as tennis. Just make sure that you wear proper fitting shoes in order to prevent injuries on the feet.

Before you start exercising, it is wise to consult your doctor about it first. This way, you will be able to know what kind of exercise you should do and for how long each day.

These are the things that you need to remember about being diabetic and the importance of exercising. Through exercise, you will be able to manage the disease effectively and let you live a full and normal life.

EVERY YEAR, NEARLY ONE MILLION AMERICANS DIE FROM HEART DISEASE

Some Startling Statistics!!!

• One in five individuals has some form of cardiovascular disease
• Cardiovascular disease is the number one cause of death in the United states and has been every year since 1919
• One of every 2.5 deaths in 1998 was due to cardiovascular disease.

AND MORE THAN HALF WERE WOMEN !!!

Did you know that women have a 50% chance of dying from heart disease or stroke?

The risk of a woman dying from cardiovascular disease is nearly twice that of all forms of cancer combined. But, you can do something about it.
Out-patient adults diagnosed with heart disease: 23 million (2001)

The medical establishment perceives the heart as a separate organ that requires specialization. But what is forgotten is that all the organs in the body are related to each other. The heart pumps the blood to support the circulatory system. In turn, the blood supports the other organs and itself. The other organs support the heart. All parts of the body are interdependent. The liver filters (one of many functions) the blood from toxins, which aids all the other organs.

ANOTHER EXPLANATION FROM TRADITIONAL CHINESE MEDICINE

Chinese Medicine has had an answer for more than 1000 years!

  According to Traditional Chinese herbs & medicine, the heart, like all organs of the human body, requires blood and energy to maintain itself. Arteries, capillaries and veins support the feeding and cleansing of the heart. When any of these vessels are blocked, then the heart becomes interrupted in its functioning. This can become serious resulting in many HEART & CIRCULATION problems. Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) focuses on opening up the targeted channels revitalizing and harmonizing the heart’s function and obstructed circulatory channels.

The liver, spleen, and every circulatory system organ can be involved in an obstructive process that impedes natural blood flow. This results in the body lowering in energy or Qi (Chinese medicine), high blood pressure, with every body function suffering from poor nutrition and de-oxygenation. No amount of vitamins or minerals can overcome the level of toxicity that develops except through gradual elimination of toxins in the blood. If detoxification happens too quickly, then a crisis can occur where nausea, exhaustion, and further setbacks in the cleansing process. If elimination is allowed to proceed on a gradual improving pace then expulsion is optimized. This requires working with the body as opposed to making physiology conform to a standardized strategy.

If the blood remains toxic for too long then an acidic environment is created. The result is a breakdown of vascular walls. This involves a scarring effect with blood components filling in the damged areas. This build-up complicates the process of cleansing. If the circulatory plumbing is not cleared out then all organs suffer speeding up the aging process. Its important at this stage that balance is re-established before established damage occurs.

Summary: Excess constitution with heat and dampness characteristics stemming from over-ingestion of rich, greasy, spicy, refined, intoxicating foods. Foods: excess red meat, eggs, cheese, fried foods, salt, excess sweet, refined & stale flour and oil products, chemicals, drugs and acoholic drinks.

When the body becomes overwhelmed by the above foods then the blood, organs and body becomes toxic and malfuctioning. The excess wears the body down into deficiency resulting in conditions of arthritis, tumor, diabetes, etc. The blockages in vasularity produces heat and pressure resulting in the following conditions – high blood pressure, constipation, excess weight, stroke and circulation ailments. The remedy is purging and cleansing.with bitter herbs and foods. Bitter cools and reduces dampness in the body. There may be exceptions which require a seasoned Master herbalist’s (Traditional Chinese herbs & medicine) input.  

NUTRITION FOR THE HEART & FOODS TO AVOID

 
FOODS THAT BALANCE THE HEART

Legumes: mung bean sprouts, soy bean sprouts, tofu, tempeh, peas, Adzuki Beans, Black Beans, Black-eyed peas, Broad Beans (Fava Beans), Butter Beans, Calico Beans, Cannellini Beans, Chickpeas (Garbanzo Beans), Edamame
Great Northern Beans, Italian Beans, Kidney Beans, Lentils, Lima Beans, Mung Beans, Navy Beans, Pinto Beans, Soy Beans, including black soy beans, Split Peas, White Beans

Grains: (whole grains, ½ cup for all grains) sprouted wheat – hard red winter wheat, Amaranth, Barley, pearled, Buckwheat (kasha), Bulgar, Oats, whole kernel, Rice, brown, Rice, wild, Rye, whole kernel, Quinoa, Wheat, whole kernel, All Bran with Extra Fiber, Bran Buds, Fiber One, Kashi, Go Lean, Shredded Wheat, Shredded Wheat and Bran, Buckwheat Groats, Oat Bran, Old Fashioned Oatmeal, Steel-Cut Oats

Vegetables: (Pungent) radish, horseradish, hot peppers, onion family (garlic, onion, leek, scallion, shallot, chive), Leafy greens (cabbage, spinach, carrot greens, mint leaf, nasturtium leaf, dandelion greens, kale, wheat greens, barley greens, broccoli, parsley), asparagus, bell peper, rose hip, tomato, celery
Green seaweeds: Green rope, Green tuft, Dead man’s fingers, Encrusting codium, Bird guano alga, Sea lettuce, Stringy, hairy, ribbon Ulva, Green barrels, Brown seaweeds: Winged kelp, Bottlebrush seaweed, Seersucker, Three-ribbed kelp, Northern bladder chain, Flattened acid kelp, Witch’s hair, Green acid kelp, Geather Boa, Rockweed, Spiraling rockweed, Sea cauliflower, Perennial kelp, Twisted sea tubes, Bull kelp, Dwarf rockweed, Woody-stemmed kelp, Sea fungus, Sugar kelp, Stiff-stiped kelp, Sea cabbage, Split kelp, Wireweed, Soda straws, Studded sea balloons), Red Seaweeds (Turkish towel, Bleached burnett, Winged rib, Sea moss, Sea sac, Rusty rock, Sea tangle, Turkish washcloth, Tar spot, Iridescent seaweed, Coarse sea lace, Black pine, Flattened sea brush, Sea brush, Sea laural, Red ribbon, Sea comb, Bleachweed, Sea noodles, Red eyelet silk), chlorella, cucumber
Mushrooms: Honey Mushroom, Brown Stew Fungus, The Miller, Shaggy Ink Cap, Green Russula, Russula integra, Weeping Milk-Cap, Saffron Milk-Cap, Hedgehog Fungus, Man on Horseback, Wood Blewit, Chantarelle, Funnel Chantarelle, Horn of Plenty, Yellow-Crack Bolete, Slippery Jack, Brown Birch Bolete, King Bolete, Sheep Polypore, Pestle Puffball

Fruit: (citrus) Clementine, Kumquat, Minneola, Mandarin, Orange, Satsuma, Tangarine, Tangelo, Lemon, Rough Lemon, Lime, Leech Lime, Grapefruit, Pummelo, Sweety, Ugli, banana, persimmon

Nuts & Seeds: Almonds, hazlenuts (filbert), flax seed, chia seed, pumpkin seed (lightly roasted to remove surface E coli), poppy seed, walnut, sunflower sprouts

Animal products: fish: sardine, salmon, mackerel, Cold water fish (LAKE TROUT, RAINBOW TROUT, BROOK TROUT, BROWN TROUT, ARCTIC GRAYLING, ARCTIC CHAR, SPLAKE, etc.) raw honey, bee pollen

Herbs: hawthorn berry, dandelion root, burdock root, chaparral, peppermint (palpitations), cayenne pepper, ginger, rhubarb root (constipation), yarrow, chamomile, motherwort, valerian

FOODS TO AVOID (worsens heart conditions)

Sugar, or foods with added sugars, Processed grains, or foods containing them (except as listed on the Grains List e.g. packaged cereals, even whole grain cereals, are usually processed, verify), Refined grains (which don’t say “whole” in front of each grain on the label) or foods containing them, “Wheat” or “wheat flour” without the word “whole” is usually a code word for “white” (includes white rice, “Flour” listed alone is always white flour), Potatoes, Cakes, cookies, muffins, etc. Crackers, unless whole grain, Cereals, unless whole grain and at least 8 grams of fiber per serving, Chips, Ice cream, Jams and Jellies, Maple Syrup, Regular Soda and other sweetened beverages, Juices, Oils except for extra virgin olive oil, nut oils, and canola oil, Mayonnaise, Creamy salad dressings, Butter, Magarine, Dairy products that are not fat-free, including cheese, cream cheese, milk, etc., Fatty meats such as bacon or sausage, Anything with hydrogenated or partially hydrogenated fats in it.
This listing is certainly not the end-all list but is the longest that I know for this condition.

Mark Hammer C.M.H.   Master Herbalist    Longevity Mountain     5/09

What is happening in America? So many people walking around with high blood pressure (hypertension) and not getting any better. Obviously, this ailment is not understood except to treat the symptoms rather than the underlying problem. Below here are some pervasive stats from the American Heart Association that indicates just how this condition is not improving:

High blood pressure (hypertension) killed 57,356 people in the United States in 2005.

• About 73.6 million people in the United States age 20 and older have high blood pressure.
• One in three adults has high blood pressure.
• Of those people with high blood pressure, 78.7 percent were aware of their condition.
• Of all people with high blood pressure, 69.1 percent were under current treatment, 45.4 percent had it under control, and 54.6 percent did not have it controlled.
• The cause of 90-95 percent of the cases of high blood pressure isn’t known; however, high blood pressure is easily detected and usually controllable.
• From 1995 to 2005 the death rate from high blood pressure increased 25.2 percent, and the actual number of deaths rose 56.4 percent.
• Non-Hispanic blacks are more likely to suffer from high blood pressure than are non-Hispanic whites.
• Within the African-American community, those with the highest rates of hypertension, are more likely to be middle aged or older, less educated, overweight or obese, physically inactive, and to have diabetes.
• In 2005 the death rates per 100,000 population from high blood pressure were 15.8 for white males, 52.1 for black males, 15.1 for white females and 40.3 for black females

As you can see this is a serious epidemic in the U.S. and it seems we are not taking a deserving all out attack on this enemy. This is a more extreme threat than any terrorist attack. This is where the money and research needs to be focussed. Wouldn’t you agree?

It is very clear to see that one contributing cause of the condition is not knowing the origin which is essential to finding its solution.

The UNDERLYING CAUSE 

DO YOU HAVE TOXIC BLOOD? HOW DOES THE BLOOD BECOME TOXIC?

When the blood becomes saturated with unfiltered blood then its ability to maintain body systems and organs is compromised. Blood quality determines every cell’s capability to carry out its function. The blood has the potential to nourish or pollute the entire body. As we age, over-stress, ingest a poor diet, etc. blood components can build up unless detoxification is employed or the primary blood filters in the body are supported to do their function.

The liver, spleen, and every circulatory system organ can be involved in an obstructive process that impedes natural blood flow. This results in the body lowering in energy or Qi (Traditional Chinese medicine), high blood pressure, with every body function suffering from poor nutrition and de-oxygenation. No amount of vitamins or minerals can overcome the level of toxicity that develops except through gradual elimination of toxins in the blood. If detoxification happens too quickly, then a crisis can occur where nausea, exhaustion, and further setbacks in the cleansing process. If elimination is allowed to proceed on a gradual improving pace then expulsion is optimized. This requires working with the body as opposed to making physiology conform to a standardized strategy.

If the blood remains toxic for too long then an acidic environment is created. The result is a breakdown of vascular walls. This involves a scarring effect with blood components filling in the damged areas. This build-up complicates the process of cleansing. If the circulatory plumbing is not cleared out then all organs suffer while the aging process speeds up. Its important at this stage that balance is re-established before established damage occurs.

There are different conditions that are involved with causation of toxic build-up. From a Chinese medicine perspective, the body can involve singular or multiple constitutional conditions. The primary (6) body types are:

cold<—————>hot
damp<————->dry
deficient<——–>excess

When the body becomes or specific organ become extreme in one of the constitutional conditions above then toxicity occurs. In order to move the imbalance or over toxicity to a balanced or neutral status, the body or its organ(s) need help to move in the other direction of the continuum.

Additionally, Its very important to discern which constitution is primary so treatment priority can be arrived at before tackling obvious symptoms. Again, the goal of the correction process is to achieve balance or neutral status. That is the mid-point between cold and hot, damp and dry, and deficient and excess. Establishing the center of these continuums brings about optimal health where the symptoms subside, health anchors.

Summary: Excess constitution with heat and dampness characteristics stemming from over-ingestion of rich, greasy, spicy, refined, intoxicating foods. Foods: excess red meat, eggs, cheese, fried foods, salt, excess sweet, refined & stale flour and oil products, chemicals, drugs and acoholic drinks.

When the body becomes overwhelmed by the above foods then the blood, organs and body becomes toxic and malfuctioning. The excess wears the body down into deficiency resulting in conditions of arthritis, tumor, diabetes, etc. The blockages in vasularity produces heat and pressure resulting in the following conditions – high blood pressure, constipation, excess weight, stroke and circulation ailments. The remedy is purging and cleansing.with bitter herbs and foods. Bitter cools and reduces dampness in the body. There may be exceptions which require a seasoned Master herbalist’s (traditional chinese herbs) input.

“Sweet makes you bitter while bitter makes you sweeter” Nei jing

FOOD THERAPY FOR HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE

FOODS THAT BALANCE BLOOD PRESSURE

Legumes: mung bean sprouts, soy bean sprouts, tofu, tempeh, peas, Adzuki Beans, Black Beans, Black-eyed peas, Broad Beans (Fava Beans), Butter Beans, Calico Beans, Cannellini Beans, Chickpeas (Garbanzo Beans), Edamame
Great Northern Beans, Italian Beans, Kidney Beans, Lentils, Lima Beans, Mung Beans, Navy Beans, Pinto Beans, Soy Beans, including black soy beans, Split Peas, White Beans

Grains: (whole grains, ½ cup for all grains) sprouted wheat – hard red winter wheat, Amaranth, Barley, pearled, Buckwheat (kasha), Bulgar, Oats, whole kernel, Rice, brown, Rice, wild, Rye, whole kernel, Quinoa, Wheat, whole kernel, All Bran with Extra Fiber, Bran Buds, Fiber One, Kashi, Go Lean, Shredded Wheat, Shredded Wheat and Bran, Buckwheat Groats, Oat Bran, Old Fashioned Oatmeal, Steel-Cut Oats

Vegetables: (Pungent) radish, horseradish, hot peppers, onion family (garlic, onion, leek, scallion, shallot, chive), Leafy greens (cabbage, spinach, carrot greens, mint leaf, nasturtium leaf, dandelion greens, kale, wheat greens, barley greens, broccoli, parsley), asparagus, bell peper, rose hip, tomato, celery
Green seaweeds: Green rope, Green tuft, Dead man’s fingers, Encrusting codium, Bird guano alga, Sea lettuce, Stringy, hairy, ribbon Ulva, Green barrels, Brown seaweeds: Winged kelp, Bottlebrush seaweed, Seersucker, Three-ribbed kelp, Northern bladder chain, Flattened acid kelp, Witch’s hair, Green acid kelp, Geather Boa, Rockweed, Spiraling rockweed, Sea cauliflower, Perennial kelp, Twisted sea tubes, Bull kelp, Dwarf rockweed, Woody-stemmed kelp, Sea fungus, Sugar kelp, Stiff-stiped kelp, Sea cabbage, Split kelp, Wireweed, Soda straws, Studded sea balloons), Red Seaweeds (Turkish towel, Bleached burnett, Winged rib, Sea moss, Sea sac, Rusty rock, Sea tangle, Turkish washcloth, Tar spot, Iridescent seaweed, Coarse sea lace, Black pine, Flattened sea brush, Sea brush, Sea laural, Red ribbon, Sea comb, Bleachweed, Sea noodles, Red eyelet silk), chlorella, cucumber
Mushrooms: Honey Mushroom, Brown Stew Fungus, The Miller, Shaggy Ink Cap, Green Russula, Russula integra, Weeping Milk-Cap, Saffron Milk-Cap, Hedgehog Fungus, Man on Horseback, Wood Blewit, Chantarelle, Funnel Chantarelle, Horn of Plenty, Yellow-Crack Bolete, Slippery Jack, Brown Birch Bolete, King Bolete, Sheep Polypore, Pestle Puffball

Fruit: (citrus) Clementine, Kumquat, Minneola, Mandarin, Orange, Satsuma, Tangarine, Tangelo, Lemon, Rough Lemon, Lime, Leech Lime, Grapefruit, Pummelo, Sweety, Ugli, banana, persimmon

Nuts & Seeds: Almonds, hazlenuts (filbert), flax seed, chia seed, pumpkin seed (lightly roasted to remove surface E coli), poppy seed, walnut, sunflower sprouts

Animal products: fish: sardine, salmon, mackerel, Cold water fish (LAKE TROUT, RAINBOW TROUT, BROOK TROUT, BROWN TROUT, ARCTIC GRAYLING, ARCTIC CHAR, SPLAKE, etc.) raw honey, bee pollen

Herbs: hawthorn berry, dandelion root, burdock root, chaparral, peppermint (palpitations), cayenne pepper, ginger, rhubarb root (constipation), yarrow, chamomile, motherwort, valerian (Traditional Chinese herbs & American herbs)

FOODS TO AVOID (worsens high blood pressure)

Sugar, or foods with added sugars, Processed grains, or foods containing them (except as listed on the Grains List e.g. packaged cereals, even whole grain cereals, are usually processed, verify), Refined grains (which don’t say “whole” in front of each grain on the label) or foods containing them, “Wheat” or “wheat flour” without the word “whole” is usually a code word for “white” (includes white rice, “Flour” listed alone is always white flour), Potatoes, Cakes, cookies, muffins, etc. Crackers, unless whole grain, Cereals, unless whole grain and at least 8 grams of fiber per serving, Chips, Ice cream, Jams and Jellies, Maple Syrup, Regular Soda and other sweetened beverages, Juices, Oils except for extra virgin olive oil, nut oils, and canola oil, Mayonnaise, Creamy salad dressings, Butter, Magarine, Dairy products that are not fat-free, including cheese, cream cheese, milk, etc., Fatty meats such as bacon or sausage, Anything with hydrogenated or partially hydrogenated fats in it.

“The sages follow the laws of Nature and therefore their bodies are free from strange diseases. They do not lose any of their natural functions and their spirit of life is never exhausted.” — Inner Classic

Mark Hammer C.M.H.,  Master Herbalist - Longevity Mountain    5/09 

High blood pressure (hypertension) is also called the “silent killer” because it produces no symptoms. It slowly deteriorates the arteries and various organs in the body. It can go undiagnosed for many years without a single hint of the damage being done to your organs.

The blood must maintain a certain pressure in the arteries to circulate adequate blood to all tissue. You are considered to have hypertension when you have a consistent blood pressure reading at or above 140/90.

Eating the right foods can play a major role in controlling blood pressure and maintaining it within a healthy range. In order to lower the hypertension risk, more simply prepared fruits and vegetables must be eaten.

Here are five foods that you can eat to lower high blood pressure naturally:

Garlic – Eating high doses of garlic produces a decrease in blood pressure. It is highly recommended for people suffering from hypertension, because of its vasodilating effects. Garlic is also a good remedy for arteriosclerosis, angina pectoris, and heart attacks. Garlic is considered a good friend of the circulatory system.

Celery – Celery is a great blood pressure reducer because its essential oil contains an effective vasodilator called 3-butylptalide. This, combined with its diuretic effect, makes it a superb food to help in lowering blood pressure.

Pear – The pear’s ability to lower blood pressure has been known for hundreds of years. This is because of the fruits diuretic effect. It is also known that the pear does not contain sodium, a mineral that is known to retain water within the body, therefore increasing blood pressure.

Grapefruit – Due to the absence of sodium and fat in the grapefruit, as well as high levels of potassium, makes this fruit very suitable for those suffering from hypertension, and heart disease. In fact, people suffering from these ailments should eat an abundant amount of grapefruit, since it has a mild diuretic effect that helps to decongest the circulatory system. Drinking the juice is adequate; however, eating the whole fruit is better, because the pulp provides fiber, which is also beneficial.

Squash – Squash is great for hypertension because it is very low in sodium and very high in potassium contents. Foods that are rich in sodium, tend to promote hypertension, while foods that are high in potassium, tend to prevent hypertension and its negative consequences. People with hypertension should eat squash daily, but with no added salt, which would counteract its properties.