Intervention for Elevated Blood Pressure

The National Heart Lung and Blood Institute has determined that the DASH diet is an effective means of lowering blood pressure--along with medications your doctor may prescribe for you. The diet has been proven to significantly lower blood pressure in as little as two weeks following the diet plan. The diet focuses on losing weight if you are overweight and adding complex carbohydrates, fruits and vegetables and low fat dairy products to increase your intake of Magnesium, Calcium and Potassium. There is also ample evidence that lowering your sodium intake dramatically improves your blood pressure and the way your blood pressure medications work. These recommendations can easily fit into a normal way of eating and promote good health. Click on available services if you would like a consultation.

Some foods high in sodium are: cold cuts, snack foods, salted nuts, pretzels, soup, canned foods, prepared packaged foods, and spices using salt like garlic salt, sazon, meat tenderizers.

Some foods low in sodium are: fresh fruits and vegetables, home prepared soups and sauces without salt or broth, fresh poultry/meat, low sodium products with less than 350mg of sodium per serving, oil and vinegar, mustard, sorbet, sherbert, jello, pudding, unsalted pretzels and nuts, and garlic powder, basil, dill, fresh and dried herbs.