Naturally Lower Blood Pressure - Potassium And It's Effect
Your physician has told you that you have high blood pressure and he/she has prescribed some medication, which you will be on the rest of your life. But can you naturally lower blood pressure without medication. This article talks about one of the most important nutrients in controlling high blood pressure, potassium. Actually, potassium is one of the most important nutrients to keep your body running smoothly.
Why is Potassium Needed by Your Body?
There are many functions of your body that potassium is a part of including your hearts rhythm, nerve activity, acid balance, blood pressure regulation, and proper functioning of the lungs and kidneys. In addition, potassium has been shown to be important in the prevention of osteoporosis in women that have gone through menopause.
Low levels of potassium, called hypokalemia, can trigger diarrhea, heavy sweating, vomiting and loss of appetite. So in addition to aiding in controlling hypertension, potassium is very important to your bodies function.
Conversely, too high of a level of potassium, called hyperkalemia, suspends the function of electrical impulses of the body, causing the heart to stop. So it is important your diet has the right amount of potassium.
How Does Potassium Affect Blood Pressure?
Your heart relies on potassium to help it keep beating rhythmically 24/7. In addition, in scientific studies have shown that potassium helps relax blood vessels, although researches are not quite sure how it does this. One theory is that potassium makes the blood vessels less sensitive to compounds, like hormones, that normally cause blood vessels to contract. If blood vessels contract less and are more relaxed, the blood flows easier and the pressure is less. Whatever the reason, it is agreed that the right amount of potassium has a beneficial affect on blood pressure.
What is the Right Amount of Potassium?
For most people, 2,500 to 4,000 milligrams of potassium is recommended. The foods you can get potassium from include bananas, cantaloupe, orange juice, potatoes, nectarines and winter squash. In addition, you can take vitamin supplements.
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