Nutritional Therapy for Hypertension

If you have been diagnosed with hypertension (high blood pressure), whether mild or severe, making changes to your diet was likely the first suggestion from your doctor. Mild hypertension can be greatly improved using a nutritional approach. Severe hypertension can also be helped through an altered diet, with the additional benefit of an overall improvement in well-being.

There are many heart healthy diets ,all with the same basic rules. Eat unrefined, fresh, unprocessed foods such as fruits and vegetables, garlic, onions, soy, olive oil, nuts, beans, fatty fish like salmon, tuna, halibut or sardines.

Reducing your sodium intake is an important part of any diet aimed at lowering blood pressure. Studies are showing that a reduction in sodium works better if you increase potassium intake.

Avoiding processed foods is extremely important when trying to limit sodium intake. Become comfortable with reading labels as canned and pre-made foods tend to have a higher salt content. There are excellent salt replacements on the shelves in the grocery store to help flavor healthy dishes so you won’t miss salt.

Keeping your body well hydrated is also important, as water helps our entire system work more efficiently. You should be drinking fifty percent of your body weight in ounces daily. For example if you weigh 180 pounds, you should drink 90 ounces of water per day.

In addition to natural foods, supplements should be considered to ensure you are receiving all the necessary nutrients each day. Calcium supplements of at least 800-1500 mg daily as well as 1000 mg of vitamin C daily are both recommended.

A favorite recommendation of nutritionists everywhere is flaxseed meal. It may seem daunting to add the necessary 2-4 tablespoons daily at first, but before you know it your oatmeal won’t be the same without it. If you really dislike taking flaxseed meal you can substitute flaxseed oil, but the meal is preferred.

As with any dietary change, the best results will be achieved when you partner with your medical and natural health professionals to maximize your efforts. Spend time on the Internet and in the bookstores, and you will find lots of healthy food ideas and many ways to incorporate all these requirements into a lifestyle you will enjoy.

As we all know, dieting is never as efficient alone as when exercise is included. When you are talking about hypertension, this is especially true. Your heart is a muscle and even if you are feeding it the right food it still needs 30 minutes of activity at least three times a week for maximum benefit. It is vitally important for your doctor to review your diet and exercise regimen to ensure that you are getting the appropriate nutrition and exercise.

If you have mild to moderate hypertension, incorporating these lifestyle changes could mean reducing a medication dose, or eliminating it altogether. Eating a heart healthy diet can be a fun and delicious adventure. If you have children, teaching them this lifestyle now could possibly save their hearts a lot of extra work and show them that exercise and nutrition can be both beneficial and exciting.

For more information visit: Hyperecet.com