Fight Hypertension

salt, or sodium, has been demonized for its effect of increasing the blood pressure, which we have come to think of it as an ingredient for heart disease. But the fact is that salt is not quite the offender is to be made. As always, the truth is much more complicated.

sodium in combination with other minerals, especially calcium, magnesium and potassium. Good health depends on the proper balance between these essential elements. Along with many other important functions, they help to regulate blood pressure by balancing fluid in the blood by the kidneys. Far from being a baddie, sodium plays an important role in this process.

This group of minerals, but you must work in concert and when they out of balance is when the problem starts. And since the typical modern diet tends to be highly salt, it is usually more than sodium knocks that our blood chemistry out of kilter: so that the demon of salt.

So it is that salt in the infamy spotlight has slowed over the decades. In the meantime, calcium is a common dietary supplements. Magnesium is also a good deal of attention in recent years and is often recommended to lower blood pressure. The last partner, potassium, is only now a glance - and the results will be of great benefit for many hypertension patients.

About 3,000 volunteers with borderline high blood pressure were 10 to 15 years. Those with high sodium, 20 percent more strokes, heart attacks and other forms of heart disease compared to those with lower sodium levels. However, with the highest sodium-potassium ratio (in other words, the largest imbalance) were 50 percent more, the experience of cardiovascular consequences.

These figures show the balance of minerals to be much more important in determining heart disease as the sodium levels. The researchers also believe that potassium has the ability to address some of the negative effects on the sodium, but too low in many of us.

How can you make sure you consume an adequate amount of potassium? Now, potassium supplements are available, but they should be used with care for over potassium (such as sodium) may have undesirable consequences. And there is little evidence supporting potassium�supplements,�lower blood pressureth It is the best way to potassium, as with all nutrients, is through natural foods in your diet.

foods rich in potassium are dried apricots, raisins, prunes and other dried fruits, bananas, avocados, tomatoes, potatoes, oranges, orange juice, and many other fruits and vegetables. Many foods of animal origin, are also high in potassium and many dairy products, fish, poultry and red meat. A quick Internet search you will get a very long list.

In fact, a good supply of potassium found in most natural foods. So why do so many people a mineral deficiency or imbalance? The reason is that the snacks, fast food and processed foods we eat so much of almost always high in sodium and lower in other essential minerals.

The solution is simple: eat a varied diet rich in whole, natural foods are almost always ensure a healthy balance of minerals and other nutrients. The point is not to consume extra potassium in order for salty snacks and processed foods. But if a good balance of minerals - including a reasonable level of sodium - as part of a healthy diet, there is rarely a need for sodium-restricted diets and artificial salt are replaced.

Visit the author's website to discover a genuinely effective plan for natural lower blood pressure. David O'Hara is a long-time writer and researcher in natural health.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=David_O'Hara