There is now proven clinical evidence that one of the major contributors to hypertension is the consistent excess consumption of alcohol. Basically, if you drink large amounts of alcohol regularly, it’s going to make any of the other treatments you’re doing far less effective.
Although there are many different drugs your doctor can prescribe to manage this condition, they’re expensive, can have uncomfortable and sometimes dangerous side effects, and are really only managing the problem artificially. This is why there’s increasing interest in treating hypertension with lifestyle and dietary factors.
Hypertension and heavy alcohol intake is a very dangerous and life-threatening recipe!
o Alcohol causes you to gain weight due to all the extra calories, further increasing your blood pressure.
o Alcohol severely dehydrates you, further increasing your blood pressure.
o Alcohol acts as a diuretic, flushing away all the important minerals such as potassium and magnesium that are essential for reducing blood pressure.
o Alcohol affects the absorption of calcium and magnesium, so even if they weren’t getting flushed away, your body still can’t process them properly.
o Alcohol both diminishes the effects of blood pressure medication you may be on and increases the side effects of them. It will also diminish the effects of any natural remedies you may be using.
o Although alcohol consumption affects both systolic and diastolic blood pressure readings, it has a more significant effect on the systolic reading – which is the greater indicator of whether you’re at risk of the complications that arise from hypertension, such as stroke and heart disease.
Women should have no more than one drink per day and men no more than two. If you can, make it red wine – yes, this does have heart-health benefits, however only in moderation. It’s still alcohol. You can get the same or better effects from a polyphenol supplement such as resveratrol (one capsule is usually equal to around a bottle of red wine!)
High blood pressure has been firmly established as a risk factor for cardiovascular diseases. Stroke, heart attack, kidney failure, and congestive heart failure have all been related to elevated blood pressure, and treating your hypertension greatly decreases your risk of developing these conditions.
Your family doctor would probably never tell you this, but a specific program using natural methods, such as reducing your alcohol intake, adjusting other certain lifestyle and diet factors, and supplementing with certain minerals, vitamins and herbs has been proven to be safer, cheaper, and just as effective as many prescription medications for primary hypertension. Around 90% of people with high blood pressure can get their readings down to a safe zone through totally natural means!
Get more information at http://www.blood-pressure-report.com.By Katie Stow, award-winning journalist and natural health writer
