high blood pressure and raw food lifestyle

[Rawkin']

Hi guys,

I'm 4 months raw, lost 50 lbs (go me) and have never, ever felt better or younger. Going into this, I'd never felt older or worse, and I had high blood pressure that my doctor was monitoring (but no drugs).

I took one of those drugstore arm in the band machine tests today and was so surprised that it read high.

It leaves me wondering if eating raw is enough or if, within eating raw, I also have to watch sodium such as miso and tamari. Makes sense that I would... but I think I've been thinking that raw is a cure-all (since I feel so great) and so to eat and enjoy. But now I'm wondering. I have read that Himalayan rock salt doesn't contribute to high bp, so I think I'm good there.

Hm.

Thanks :)

Rawkin'

[Eva]

Yeah, go you! 50 pounds is amazing!

That surprises me too that it read high... but then again I don't know how much stress you're under! The only time I ever had high blood pressure I had a lot of stress in my life, and I didn't have the time to exercise. I went to the doctor because I had headaches and stomach aches that were very persistent, and I was always feeling so overwhelmed. I got a "sick note" for my job, quit, and my blood pressure went back to normal.

I know that raw is amazing, and it does help, but I have to remind myself that I DO still need to exercise and be loving and relax sometimes to really feel the best I can...

Just my thoughts. :)

[Hypnotista]

First. CONGRATS!!!

Second,

I also had BP issues. Lowering my salt and caffeine did a little, but not a ton.

I had the greatest results from supplementing magnesium b/c it relaxes muscles, thereby dilating/widening the blood vessels (more space to flow- less pressure). It also acts as a gentle diuretic, drawing excess fluids out, thereby having yet another benefit of reducing the volume pushing thru the veins.

Magnesium also improved neck and headache pains for me, and regulated a fluttery feeling I had in my chest from time to time. I began sleeping better, and without the chest sensations, felt much less anxious. I chose the ionic fizz brand, and still think that has been the most effective of all the brands/forms I have tried. It was a whopping $15 investment....beats the hell out of meds!

Starting raw helped me over the last little hump, and I think sealed my gains. However, it was the MAgnesium that made all the diff.

You could see what the high greens intake does for you if you don't care to supplement, but I definitely see better results when I do use the supp.

Good luck!

[Rawkin']

I can't thank you both enough for answering! xo

I had the large part of a response typed out last night, when I was interrupted and had to go out. I left the screen up as is, and when I returned, my computer froze and I lost it, boooo.

So I'm back with my 2nd attempt at replying :)

You're right when you point out stress. I foolishly took this self-administered test while waiting for my son's prescription at the drugstore. I had:
a) just returned from an allopathic medical clinic which doesn't suit who I am anymore
b) just discovered via a nurse's question and an honest son's answer, that my boy has been smoking since he's 12...he's now 15... get me my smelling salts lol(ish)
and c) I'd just had a stand-off with the nurse when I asked her if there was anything that the boy could do nutritionally, other than the obvious, excluding milk , and she said, confused, "Milk? Milk's fine!" I was so startled that she would think so, that the words, 'No it's not! It's so phlegm-producing!" just lept out of my tiny little mouth, the one I usually keep shut.

So yeah, bit o' stress there. I feel foolish that I didn't connect the dots. My mind jumped right to "the sky is falling, my bp is still high."

Sigh. Live n' learn, heh. And since, a friend I know told me that those drug store machines aren't that reliable since they are difficult to calibrate. shrug

As for the magnesium, this is indeed great news, as I have some in my cupboard. My boyfriend got it for himself, based on an ayurvedic consult's recommendation. So now I'm gonna get my mitts on it. You woke up something in me, telling me this, because seems I've heard this before and reading your post made me go, 'Oh yeaaaaaaah.....' and gave me a lot of hope.

Thank you both so much :)

xo
Rawkin'

[Coonlie]

Big congrats, Rawkin!

Hypno, could you tell me how you take the ionic fizz supplememt? Is it once a day, twice a day, etc. Does it come in capsule or powder? I think this is something I need, too. My naturopath told me some time ago I should be taking a magnesium supp. and I kind of forgot about it.
Thanks for any info on it!

[Eva]

Whoah!!!!!!!! You found out your son has been smoking for years?! Wow! That would put me up in arms!

Maybe you don't have high BP after all, but the magnesium probably wouldn't hurt. :)

[northernstars]

I was told that those machines are very rarely correct and to only take my bp at either the doctor's office or on one at home. Most doctor's offices do not charge for you to have it taken and read in their offices.

[Rawkin']

Thank you, Coonlie :D

Eva, I know. I don't feel like the sharpest pencil in the box over this one, lol, but you know, there ya are, just livin' your life, one foot in front of the other, and it's not until ya step back that you go, "DOH!" :p :o I did know he smokes, since we discuss it all the time, letting him know I'm there any time he's ready to look at quitting. . . but what shocked me was since when! :eek:

Hi Northerstars :)

I was told the same thing actually, but after I took it. Welcome to the board :)

[Hypnotista]

Big congrats, Rawkin!

Hypno, could you tell me how you take the ionic fizz supplememt? Is it once a day, twice a day, etc. Does it come in capsule or powder? I think this is something I need, too. My naturopath told me some time ago I should be taking a magnesium supp. and I kind of forgot about it.
Thanks for any info on it!

I mix it into water. The dose n the box is about 600mg... but everyone's needs are different. If your digestion is slow/constipated, you may want to take more...up to 1200 per day max. ( I find the reg 600 a day does me fine) If your stools become loose due to the diuretic effect, cut back.

Check with a doc before using if you are on kidney dialysis, otherwise it's needed by most folks and beneficial to almost all!

Good luck!