Saturday, March 3, 2007

Natural Cure for Blood Pressure: Can it Be True?

You know you shouldn't take your high blood pressure lightly. You also know that you would prefer not to take medication unless it is absolutely necessary. After all, the side effects can be almost as bad as the problem they are trying to solve. So now you ask yourself, can there be a natural cure for blood pressure problems?

Don't despair - there is good news! There are several steps you can take that will provide a natural cure for blood pressure, without medication.

Drop it.

Your salt shaker, that is. You should be aiming for no more than 2,000 milligrams of sodium a day, which is equal to one teaspoon of salt. If you frequently indulge in canned soups, frozen dinners and processed cheeses and snacks, you're probably already exceeding that amount without laying a hand on the salt shaker! Your natural cure for blood pressure begins by learning to read and understand food labels.

Move it.

Probably the best natural cure for blood pressure is simply to move your body. Don't worry about training Rocky Balboa style - just add some extra steps to your daily routine. After checking with your doctor, you can start out by taking the stairs instead of the elevator, or passing up that great parking spot and add a few more steps into your day. Gradually aim for 30 minutes of moderate intensity exercise on most days of the week. Don't worry, it's not as hard as it sounds.

Quit it.

You know what I'm talking about - stop smoking for a natural cure for blood pressure problems. Smoking does contribute to high blood pressure, along with a host of other ailments, like cancer and cardiovascular diseases. Don't try to do it alone, get help from your doctor or a support group.

Lose it.

The studies don't lie. There is a direct link between being overweight and having high blood pressure. Here again, we're not talking about taking drastic measures for a natural cure for blood pressure. In fact, you can sometimes do more harm than good by going on extremely restrictive diets. Start out by cutting 200-300 calories a day. It could be those two cookies you have in the afternoon (replace that snack with an apple or other piece of fruit), or that soda that's filled with calories and has absolutely no nutritional value. Don't try to overwhelm yourself here with a big "I have to lose 50 pounds" goal. Set small, attainable goals.

Add it.

A favorite natural cure for blood pressure is to add more fruits and vegetables to your daily diet. It's a favorite because it can be so easy to do. For example, add a fruit or vegetable to each meal. An added benefit is you will feel full faster and won't eat as much meat or starches, making it easier to lose weight.

In your quest for information about a natural cure for blood pressure, don't overlook the things you can control - reduce salt, exercise, quit smoking, lose weight and eat more fruits and vegetables.

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