Friday, 17 July 2009

What do the numbers mean of supplements?

What do the numbers mean?
Blood pressure is really two measurements, separated by a slash when written down, such as 120/80. You may also hear someone say a blood pressure is "120 over 80."

The first number is the systolic blood pressure. This is the peak blood pressure when your heart is squeezing blood out. The second number is the diastolic blood pressure. It's the pressure when your heart is filling with blood--relaxing between beats. A normal blood pressure is 120/80 or lower. High blood pressure is 140/90 or higher. If your blood pressure is between 120/80 and 140/90, you have something called "pre-hypertension." Lower your blood pressure with the following self-care steps may be helpful:

Sidestep salt
Avoid using too much table salt, limit salty fast foods, and read labels to find low-sodium foods in your grocery store. If you are already eating fresh raw vegetables than you are likely getting most the salt your body needs naturally.

Watch what you eat
Choose a diet low in cholesterol and animal fat, and high in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes, and low-fat milk products, with some nuts and seeds

Maintain a healthy weight
Lose excess weight and keep it off with a long-term program of EXERCISE and healthier eating

CoQ10
Taking 100 mg a day of this powerful antioxidant may have a significant impact on your blood pressure after one to several months

EPA and DHA, the omega-3 fatty acids found in fish oil, lower blood pressure. The effect was dependent on the amount of omega-3 oil used. DHA had greater effects on blood pressure than EPA or mixed fish oil supplements. DHA is now available as a supplement separate from EPA.

Herbs that may be helpful
600 to 900 mg a day of a standardized GARLIC extract can improve heart and blood vessel health, and also has a mild blood pressure–lowering effect. Onion—closely related to garlic—may also have a mild blood pressure-lowering effect.

POTASSIUM: On your next Dr. visit have him check your potassium. The lower the potassium in the urine, means the lower the potassium in the diet; consequently the higher the blood pressure." The use of potassium supplements for lowering blood pressure should only be done under the care of a doctor. You will need a prescription to get the right kind of potassium. Meanwhile, researchers have urged people to consume more potassium and less sodium. High-potassium foods include (fresh) fruits such as bananas, and citrus fruits and vegetables. Consuming a larger amount of these foods in the diet may lower blood pressure. Bananas spikes my glucose, so check you sugar carefully to see how your BG responds.

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