Reversing Hypertension

Hypertension or high blood pressure is a major problem in the United States. Over 50 million people have it and many of these are UNDIAGNOSED! Hypertension has been called the silent killer simply because there are no overt symptoms for hypertension. But it has an enormous effect on your risk for experiencing a stroke or heart attack later on.

Hypertension is essentially a constriction or narrowing of the arteries, so that blood pressure inside the artery increases. Arteries are not just “tubes with blood in them”. They are complex structures, and have the ability to expand or contract based on need. If a bear begins to chase you, arteries to the digestive tract narrow, while arteries to your muscles expand to give you a greater capacity for escape. This ability to expand or contract is controlled by small muscles, and an artery relaxer called Nitric Oxide.

It turns out that the production and availability of Nitric Oxide is a key determinant of hypertension or on the other hand normal blood pressure. Certain raw materials are necessary for the production of Nitric Oxide. A key ingredient for nitric oxide production is a protein called L-arginine. It is found in abundance in seeds…particularly beans lentils walnuts, garbanzos etc. Only trace amounts are found in animal products such as meat, fish chicken and dairy products. Here is a chart which shows the concentrations of L-arginine in typical foods:

Americans love animal-based foods, and hypertension is a natural consequence of that love affair. One of the most important things that you can do to reverse your hypertension is to remove the animal products from the diet and eat the foods high in L-arginine, which is critical in the production of Nitric Oxide. Increased amounts of nitric oxide have a marked effect on blood pressure and in turn the risk of strokes and heart attacks over time.

Another simple move you can make is to restrict the use of salt and salty foods…especially prepared foods, such as potato and corn chips etc. In certain people who are salt-sensitive, salt can cause the arteries to remain in a constant state of constriction. A major strategic move in overcoming hypertension is to walk briskly twice a day for 30 minutes. For people with high blood pressure, walking serves to reduce blood pressure by increasing collateral circulation, especially around arteries that have been narrowed by plaque and cholesterol deposits. The body literally builds brand new blood vessels around the blockage laterally, or to the side of the arterial obstruction. This is really a lifesaving “natural coronary bypass” that can literally save a life in the event the blocked artery erupts with a dangerous blood clot.

Remember: Hypertension is your enemy, because it increases your risk for heart attacks and strokes which are often fatal. Simple habits such as a good dietary of fresh fruits, vegetables nuts ad grains, and a brisk walking program twice a day with liberal amounts of pure water will go a long way toward reversing and even preventing hypertension in 80-90% of Americans. Why not adopt the prevention strategy today? If you are hypertensive, don’t wait a minute longer. Download the recipes from this website, and get started on your walking program right now. Consult with your doctor, so that when your blood pressure begins to decline, he or she can reduce your medications commensurately. Happy walking! If you need help in getting on a walking program, lifestyle counseling is available at 360-835-8401. The DVD “40 Reasons to Exercise: can also be helpful to you. May God bless your efforts to cooperate with Him in reversing your hypertension!