One of the most serious health concerns for Americans is hypertension, or high blood pressure. It is a silent killer because it affects the heart and circulatory system without any external symptoms. Unless they go for regular physical examinations, most people with high or dangerously high blood pressure don't know that they have it. As dangerous as it is, it is also very controllable.
Certainly it can be assumed that some are more prone to hypertension than others. That said, the most important factor that contributes to the condition is diet. As the diet of the average American has gotten worse, more sugar, more processed foods, less vegetables and of course a lot more salt, the incidence of hypertension has skyrocketed. Adding to the problem is the fact that those most at risk are usually people over forty with other conditions such as diabetes.
Anyone serious about lowering their blood pressure to a normal range needs to first take an active role in modifying their diet. First and foremost is to become conscious of the amount of salt they take in. That includes the table salt that they add to their food from the salt shaker as well as the salt already in the food. Most people have no idea that, due to their food choices, they can be consuming three or four times the recommended daily amount of sodium without adding one grain of salt from a shaker.
Frozen and canned foods should be entirely eliminated, especially for people in the dangerously high blood pressure camp. Instead diets should be more heavily focused on fresh vegetables and lean meats seasoned with other types of herbs and seasonings other than salt. Things like curry, chili powder (low or no salt versions), and lemon pepper can enhance the flavor of food without the need for salt. It will take time for the taste buds to be satisfied in a new low salt environment, but it will be worth it in the long run.
The great thing about making these small but important adjustments is that you will, in most cases, see results very quickly. Severely reducing sodium and increasing higher quality foods will have a positive impact that will be evident in the next blood pressure reading that you get. To boost the benefits of your new diet, try walking or some other low impact regular exercise a few times a week.
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