Lowering Blood Pressure Naturally

Untreated hypertension can lead to damage to the heart, kidneys, and eyes and is a contributing factor to heart attack and stroke.
Some people require medication for control of blood pressure while most ( pre hypertension level)can lower it through losing weight, consuming optimal levels of blood pressure lowering nutrients, exercise and stress management.

 

 

  • Sodium is a major mineral which plays a vital role in control of blood pressure and is part of several food items in form of sodium chloride, soda bicarb, Monosodium glutamate, etc. Beware of following foods which rate among highest for sodium content: 
    a. Avoid use of salt shaker at the dining table 
    b. Chutneys, pickles, papad, ketchup, salted butter, cheese, salted nuts, salted snacks like sev, chivada, bhajia, potato wada ,potato chips, salted chana etc. 
    c. Bread, biscuits, cakes, pastries, doughnuts, foods baked with soda, Chinese food cooked in ajino-moto (mono sodium glutamate) and Soya sauce. 
    d. Organ meats like kidney, liver, brain and sea foods like shellfish, shrimps, prawn, crab, lobster and dry salted fish. 
    e. Canned or brined foods, foods preserved in salt, seasoned foods. 
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  • Do not use salt substitutes such as lona salt, rock salt etc. Instead use tamarind, vinegar or lime juice to improve the taste of food.
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  • Stop Smoking and restrict intake of alcohol
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  • Increase intake of potassium rich foods such as fruits , vegetables, pulses etc
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  • Include calcium dense foods such as milk, yogurt, leafy vegetables, til, ragi, black gram, bajra etc
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