Natural Ways to Lower Blood Pressure

High blood pressure can be a serious problem to the health of people of all ages. It can lead to further problems and cases of high blood pressure should be addressed as soon as possible. There are some simple, easy and most importantly natural ways to lower blood pressure and addressing lifestyle is often a necessary factor. As there is often a direct link between obesity and high blood pressure, it is first important to ensure that the body is sufficiently fit and healthy. Regular exercise can go a long way towards losing excess weight and in turn lowering blood pressure. Changes like stopping smoking and minimizing alcohol consumption are also advisable not only because it will help to avoid increasing your blood pressure but also because of the other major health problems that nicotine and alcohol can cause.

Changes in the diet are very important as many of us consume too many salt and fatty foods. Limiting the amount of fast food eaten and avoiding salt can be the quickest ways to change the diet but adding healthy fruit and vegetables to every day diets is also essential. Filling up on fresh fruit and vegetables can improve the overall health and feeling of well being of anyone but they are especially useful at lowering blood pressure. Eating less fat, red meat, salt and increasing the amount of nutrients in the diet are all effective measures to take.

When cooking meals at home, do not add salt to the ingredients or if you feel it is really necessary then simply reduce the amounts. After all, there is a lot of sodium in canned and processed foods which often form a major part of many people's weekly food intake. When dining out, it can be a good idea to ask for a limited amount of salt to be added to your meal and avoid fatty, creamy sauces or desserts. Soft drinks and canned soups can both have negative effects on the blood pressure so simply avoiding these and similar items can be a great start when looking for a natural way to lower blood pressure.

High blood pressure can affect anyone and it can also be hereditary but there are many natural ways to lower blood pressure and even avoid taking blood pressure medication altogether. The basic facts are that a healthy diet, regular exercise and maintaining a healthy weight go a long way to improve blood pressure levels. The odd treat is not a problem but moderation is imperative.

What Is The Garlic Blood Pressure Link?

For a long time now there has been anecdotal evidence of a garlic blood pressure link.

Recent studies have backed up many of the beliefs that were untested previously. It seems that the compounds that give garlic its distinctive smell and strong flavour, also help protect the body from some forms of cancer by reducing the effects of cancer causing chemicals and reducing the growth of tumors.

Garlic has been used for centuries, particularly in Chinese medicine, and it has been associated with some miraculous abilities. Garlic has been employed to help relieve anything from a simple common cold all the way through to the plague.

While not quite the super drug it has been made out to be, it does have some significant healing abilities.

Unfortunately, for those who do not like the smell of garlic, the stronger the aroma it gives off the greater the medicinal value is considered to be.

Many growers of garlic believe that when it is grown organically the sulphur content increases, and so the smell is greater. So health practitioners will often suggest choosing organic garlic over other readily available types.

There is of course the option to choose garlic supplements, and these are a good way of getting the correct daily quota if the thought of eating raw garlic is too much for you. But as with the garlic itself, do not go for supplements that have "no odour" as they will have most likely had the active ingredients removed.

More recent studies have shown some of the incredible benefits of garlic, which range from having strong antibiotic properties, to being good as a mosquito repellent.

Garlic can act as an anticoagulant and thin the blood, so seek medical advice before tucking into garlic rich foods or supplements if you are on medication or just prior to surgery.

In trials of garlic supplements there was evidence to show that there was a significant reduction in blood pressure and it was thought that garlic powder supplements could be of use to patients who have mild hypertension.

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