Nutritional Atherosclerosis Control - Reduce Blood Pressure Without Drugs Although researchers have long associated hypertension with the increased risk of atherosclerosis, they can't seem to agree on which comes first. High blood pressure appears to be both a major cause AND a result of atherosclerosis. Although hypertension may initiate and definitely exacerbates atherosclerosis, atherosclerosis may precede high blood pressure - and the resulting narrowed arteries... increase blood pressure. In addition, as the narrowed arteries become less responsive to nerve impulses, hormones, and other messenger chemicals, they simply fail to respond to the body's internal blood pressure regulation systems. It is important to have your high blood pressure controlled as it can cause a stroke, especially if the systolic (upper number) blood pressure is over 170 (The diastolic - lower number - is not as important for developing strokes; it is more important for long-term problems). In the United States, every minute a person experiences a stroke or brain attack! As blood pressure is not controlled by the medications in nearly half of the patients, doctors accuse them of... non-compliance, which is only partially true (British Medical Journal, July 21, 2001). So what is the reason that the blood pressure is not controlled with drugs in so many people? The Primary Risk Factors In fact, hypertension is primarily a disorder of lifestyle, caused by: poor nutrition obesity inactivity smoking heavy drinking, and chronic stress. While some of the causes of high blood pressure are outside our control, the truth is that in 90 to 95 per cent of cases, high blood pressure can be reduced by addressing its most significant risk factors! Nutritional Deficiencies Hypertension has been linked to deficiencies of many nutrients. Foremost among these are electrolyte minerals, such as calcium magnesium potassium. Also antioxidant deficiencies contribute to high blood pressure, such as inadequate levels of vitamin A, beta-carotene, vitamin C, vitamin E, and selenium. These antioxidant nutrients negate the harmful effects of free radicals on the arteries. In this way they protect against the development of hypertension (free radicals damage the endothelium, or lining of the arteries, decreasing their elasticity and responsiveness to chemical signals to relax or contract). Antioxidants have also a stimulating and protective impact on the body's supply of nitric oxide. This important endothelium-derived agent, produced by the innermost lining of an artery, is responsbile for relaxing of blood vessels. Deficiencies of B-complex vitamins, particularly vitamin B-12, folic acid, and vitamin B-6, have also been implicated in hypertension. These nutrients are important in the clearance of homocysteine, a toxic by-product of the metatoblism of protein, recognized as a significant risk factor for atherosclerosis. Definitely, there is a the cause-effect relationship between elevated blood levels of homocysteine and hypertension. In many people, an important role in developing of high blood pressure play undiagnosed... allergies. Usually neglected by medical doctors, hidden allergies or sensitivities to foods are one of the most underestimated causes of hypertension! Many hypertensive people, experiencing any kind of adverse reaction to foods, especially to processed milk products, don't even realize that it could be the underlying cause of their elevated blood pressure. Only when these dietary culprits are tracked down and, then, eliminated, many "unsolved" high blood pressure cases can be corrected. Insulin Levels A large role in raising blood pressue play insulin levels. They are an underlying factor in approximately half of all causes of hypertension, also increasing the risk of developing cardiovascular disease and diabetes.. Especially, sugars and processed grains that break down to sugar, such as bread, pasta, rice, potatoes, beans, cookies, cakes, cereals, oatmeal, toast and rice all raise insulin levels in most people. Raised insulin levels then cause the blood pressure to go up. Therefore, dietary and lifestyle changes are central in controlling hypertension. The Risks of Too Low Blood Pressure Studies have shown that as high systolic blood pressure (of 145 mm Hg and higher) increases risk for cardiovascular disease and stroke, very low systolic blood pressure (below 125 mm Hg) can increase - mainly in men over 65 - risk for non-cardiac conditions, such as respiratory disease and cancer. Therefore, too low blood pressure can be as dangerous as high blood pressure. Eating Plan For Arterial Health As atherosclerosis, to a great extent, is intimately related to what you eat, your diet has a strong impact on your blood pressure. Therefore, your food choices should be given serious consideration. Read more... Gentle Exercise For Arterial Health There is strong evidence that exercise and stress reduction - if done regularly - are both protective of the cardiovascular system and supportive of the immune processes. For adults, high blood pressure is almost always a sign of not enough exercise. Read more... Arterial Cleansing Formula Nutritional arterial plaque reduction goes far beyond the standard "cut or medicate" treatments. Its goal is to improve and/or restore the impaired body's metabolism through optimized nutrition. As multiple nutritional deficiencies have been implicated in the genesis of arterial damage and, by association, hypertension, only optimum nutrition can boost the body chemistry, helping the cells to receive more vital nutrients - nourishment needed for their optimal function (and survival), and undergo the ongoing process of detoxification - an essential factor in preventing and fighting all health problems. This is especially important for those, who have a family history of diabetes, heart disease or stroke due to atherosclerosis. Read more... Questions? Concerns? Call 1. 877. 786. 8458 Subscribe to $FREE 'ArterialHealth e-News' Request $FREE e-Pamphlet 'Bypass the Bypass' Order your Arterial Cleansing Formula TODAY! back to web version www.full-health.com © 1998-2004 Atherosclerosis Controlled Nutritionally At 50+. Arterial Cleansing Formula - Reverse Atherosclerosis Without Drugs or Surgery. All rights reserved worldwide. This document may not be copied in part or full without express written permission from the publisher. The information on atherosclerosis and nutrition provided herein is a general overview on this topic and may not apply to everyone, therefore, it should not be used for diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. While reasonable effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information on atherosclerosis, Full-Health.com assumes no responsibility for errors or omissions, or for damages resulting from use of the information herein.