DEFINITION:– abnormally high blood pressure in the arteries
Symptoms:
- Usually none
- Long-standing –symptoms associated with damage to brain, eyes, heart, kidneys
- Severe (brain swells) –
- severe headache,
- anxiety,
- palpitations,
- excessive perspiration,
- tremor,
- pallor
Causes:
Primary:
- Constricted blood vessels (inherited abnormality)
Secondary:
- Kidney disorders,
- hormonal disorders (Cushing’s syndrome, hyperthyroidism, tumour of adrenal gland),
- use of certain drugs,
- arteriosclerosis,
- obesity,
- sedentary lifestyle,
- smoking,
- excessive alcohol or salt in diet
Lifestyle Recommendations
- Follow a strictly salt-free diet to lower blood pressure
- Eat a high-fibre diet (oat bran is a good source)
- Eat plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables
- Drink fresh ‘live’ juices and steam-distilled water
- Avoid animal fats, alcohol, caffeine and tobacco
- Keep weight down
- Fast for 3-5 days a month to detoxify the body
- Get regular light to moderate exercise
- Get sufficient sleep
Supplement Recommendations
- Calcium (1 500-3 000 mg daily), magnesium (750-1 000 mg daily) – deficiencies linked to high blood pressure
- Potassium – counteract depletion if taking cortisone or high blood pressure medicine
- Co-enzyme Q10 – improves heart function, plus co-enzyme A – works with Q10 to detoxify the body
- Essential fatty acids (blackcurrent seed oil, flaxseed oil, olive oil, primrose oil) – important for circulation and to lower blood pressure
Herbs –
- Cayenne (capsicum), chamomile, fennel, parsley and rosemary