Would you like to ask Dr. Mark Houston, hypertension expert, a question?
Are you ready to get answers to your most pressing heart health questions from a nationally known blood pressure expert and director of The Hypertension Institute?
Well, I’ve got great news! Dr. Mark Houston has agreed to answer your questions and I will be interviewing him later this month. I want to ask the questions you want answers to. Post your question as a comment to this post.
Here’s a little background information on Dr. Houston. He’s been practicing medicine since 1974 when he graduated from Vanderbilt Medical School. He went on to complete his medical internship and residency in California. He returned to Vanderbilt University Medical School and from 1978-1990 performed many roles including Medical Director and Associate Professor of Medicine.
Dr. Houston is triple board certified by the American Board of Internal Medicine, the American Society of Hypertension, and the American Board of Anti-Aging Medicine. In addition to his medical background he also obtained a masters degree in clinical human nutrition in 2003. In 2008, Dr. Houston was selected by Consumer Research Council as one the TOP PHYSICIANS in the United States. Just this past November and May, 2009, Dr. Houston was selected by USA Today as one of the most Influential Physicians in the U.S. in both hypertension and hyperlipidemia.
Dr. Houston is a consulting reviewer for over 20 major medical journal in the U.S., he’s completed over 70 clinical research studies in hypertension, hyperlipidemia, and cardiovascular disease, and Dr. Houston has published over 150 medical articles in peer-reviewed journals. He speaks nationally and internationally on hypertension and has written three best-selling books – The Handbook of Antihypertensive Therapy, Vascular Biology for the Clinician, and What Your Doctor Does Not Tell You About Hypertension: The Revolutionary Nutrition and Lifestyle Program to Help Fight High Blood Pressure.
The list of Dr. Houston’s accomplishments goes on and on. I’ve covered just some of the highlights of his career above. With all of his research commitments, speaking engagements, etcetera; he still works with patients one-on-one in Nashville, Tennessee, and teaches Vanderbilt medical students, interns, and residents.
This is a great opportunity for you to get your questions answered. When submitting your question, keep in mind Dr. Houston areas of specialty – hypertension (high blood pressure), lipid disorders (cholesterol/blood fats), prevention and treatment of cardiovascular diseases, nutrition, clinical age management and general internal medicine.
Make the most of Dr. Houston’s generous offer to make time in his busy schedule to answer your questions.
Submit your question by posting as a comment below.
All the best,
Lisa Nelson RD
Heart Healthy Tips
http://www.hearthealthmadeeasy.com
Lower Blood Pressure – More Benefits Linked to the DASH Diet
I have shared in the past how the DASH Diet is one of the best tools you can use to lower and control high blood pressure. A new study found that the DASH Diet not only promotes improved blood pressure levels it also fights kidney stones.
Three large studies including over 240,000 men and women participants were evaluated and individuals whose diets most closely followed the DASH Diet plan had a 40-45% reduced likelihood of developing kidney stones compared to individuals following diets in direct contrast to the DASH Diet.
Researchers also took into account calcium intake. Calcium is involved in the formation of a common type of kidney stone – calcium oxalate kidney stones. Regardless of calcium intake those who followed the DASH Diet were less likely to develop kidney stones.
For individuals who have developed kidney stones or at risk of developing kidney stones a common dietary recommendation is to avoid foods high in oxalate, such as spinach and almonds. This more recent review of research indicates this may not be necessary. The DASH Diet strongly emphasizes a diet high in fruits and vegetables. Researchers point out that a diet high in fruits and vegetables increases urinary citrate production which inhibits the formation of kidney stones containing calcium.
To learn more about the DASH Diet – DASH Diet Plan.
All the best,
Lisa Nelson RD
7 Natural Ways to Lower Blood Pressure
http://www.lowerbloodpressurewithlisa.com
Lower Blood Pressure – What Does Chicken Soup Have to Do with Blood Pressure?
I read some interesting research lately that I want to share related to chicken and blood pressure.
We know that blood pressure is a significant risk fact for heart disease and stroke. It’s estimated that around 1 billion people worldwide live with high blood pressure. Being able to control high blood pressure through food selection is very important.
The collagen in chicken is being researched for use as a blood pressure medication, with actions similar to ACE inhibitors (i.e. lisinopril). Japanese studies have found 4 proteins in the chicken that contain collagen with actions similar to the blood pressure medication when tested in rats.
Chicken legs and feet contain more collagen that chicken breast meat. FYI – The legs and feet are the yellow part of a chicken leg with a nail on the end. A “chicken collagen hydrolysate” was prepared in the study and fed to rats and the effects on blood pressure where examined. The rats showed a drop in blood pressure 4 hours after receiving the mixture orally, with the lowest blood pressure reading after 8 hours. Long term studies showed improved blood pressure after one week of treatment, with a significant reduction after 2 weeks.
The study states that the “chicken collagen hydrolysate” mixture used in the study is composed of foods that can be easily added to a typical daily diet. For individuals with high blood pressure, increasing intake of these foods will promote a normal blood pressure. What I want to know – who is going to eat a chicken leg/foot? How do the researchers think this will become a normal part of the diet? My question wasn’t answered in the study results. I’m thinking it’ll be made into a food additive that will allow certain foods to be marketed as “functional” for blood pressure reduction, but we’ll have to wait and see.
The title of this post was only used to catch your attention. I’m not recommending you eat more chicken soup to lower your blood pressure. Way too much sodium added to soup for it to be beneficial!
Be sure to visit https://www.lisanelsonrd.com to sign up for The Heart of Health ezine.
All the best,
Lisa Nelson RD
Reduce Salt to Lower Blood Pressure
Too much sodium in your diet can contribute to high blood pressure and make your blood pressure treatment less effective.
Sodium versus Table Salt
First, let’s clear up the confusion about the difference between sodium and table salt. Table salt is a combination of the two minerals sodium (Na) and chloride (Cl). Table salt is 40% sodium and 60% chloride.
Sodium
Sodium is a mineral that is vital for health. Sodium maintains fluid balance, which is why it plays a key role in blood pressure control.
There is a direct relationship between sodium intake and blood pressure. Reducing sodium to 2.3 grams sodium (6 g table salt) daily is linked with decreased blood pressure levels.
Sodium Intake
A typical U.S. diet means a high sodium diet. The average American consumes 6-18 grams of table salt daily (about 3 teaspoons). The body only needs 200 mg daily. That is 30 times less than what American’s typically consume.
To be heart healthy, sodium intake should be reduced to less than 2300 mg (1 teaspoon) daily.
Sources
Sodium is found naturally in food, but most sodium we consume has been added for food preservation and preparation. To successfully reduce sodium intake you need to be aware of the table salt you add to foods and the sodium pre-added to foods.
75% of the typical American diet comes from processed foods – sauces, soups, condiments, canned foods, and prepared mixes. Fast food is another common source of sodium.
Tips to Reduce Sodium Intake
Use less salt at the table and when cooking.
If you automatically add salt to food before tasting it, this is the first place to start cutting back. You have many options for flavoring your food in place of salt – salt substitute, herbs, and spices.
If you want to try salt substitute, check with your MD. Salt substitutes contain potassium and needs to be monitored if you have kidney disorders.
Read labels when buying prepared and prepackaged foods.
When reading labels, here are some terms to avoid:
• Salt (sodium chloride)
• Monosodium glutamate (also called MSG)
• Baking soda (sodium bicarbonate)
• Baking powder
• Disodium phosphate
Select canned, frozen, and snack foods without added salt, such as unsalted nuts, unsalted broths, and no added salt canned vegetables. Better yet, switch from canned vegetables to frozen with no added salt or fresh veggies. Limit salty snacks like chips, pretzels, and salted nuts. Cheese is anther high sodium source.
Make healthy choices when dining out.
Here are some tips to enjoy a meal out and maintain a low sodium intake:
• Use pepper for extra seasoning instead of salt.
• Avoid sauces or gravies.
• Order broiled and baked meats.
• Avoid seasoned or blackened menu items.
• Avoid menu items with a lot of cheese.
• Avoid soy sauce and MSG.
Salty flavor is something you have trained your body to prefer. You can retrain your taste buds over time with the ultimate goal of lowering high blood pressure.
To receive heart health and weight loss tips from dietitian Lisa Nelson, subscribe to The Heart of Health and grab your free report “Stop Wasting Money – Take Control of Your Health” today!
All the best,
Lisa Nelson RD
How to Use Calcium to Lower Blood Pressure
The link between calcium and blood pressure was noticed years ago when researchers realized people drinking hard water had less high blood pressure than those drinking soft water. Hard water contains more minerals, including calcium.
Individuals receiving more than 800 mg of calcium daily have a 23 percent decreased risk of high blood pressure versus those consuming less than 400 mg of calcium per day.
Back in 1996, scientists compiled all the research to date on calcium and high blood pressure. The results showed calcium supplements given to individuals with high blood pressure lowered systolic blood pressure (top number) an average of 4.3 mm Hg and diastolic blood pressure (bottom number) 1.5 mm Hg.
Some people respond better to supplemental calcium than others. Those with the best results include African-Americans, elderly, pregnant women, menopausal women, people with salt-sensitivity, individuals with a high sodium intake, and those with Type II diabetes.
For the best results, don’t rely on a supplement alone. Work to increase your intake of calcium containing foods – dairy. To promote heart health, select low fat dairy products, such as low fat milk, cheeses, and yogurts.
Additional calcium sources:
Leafy greens (i.e. kale, collard, turnip, mustard greens)
Broccoli
Sardines
Canned Salmon
Calcium fortified Orange Juice
Tofu (if made with calcium carbonate)
For even better results, supplement calcium along with vitamin D. One study supplemented women 1200 mg of calcium to reduce blood pressure. When they added 800 IU of vitamin D, systolic blood pressure decreased an average of 9.3 percent.
Don’t forget three other minerals affect how effective calcium – potassium, magnesium, and sodium. For calcium to have the greatest positive effect on blood pressure, your levels of these three nutrients need to be adequate as well.
For additional steps to lower blood pressure, check out the free e-course 7 Naturals Ways to Lower Blood Pressure.
All the best,
Lisa Nelson RD
Image courtesy of alex_ugalek at freedigitalphotos.net
Heart Health – Are you getting enough potassium?
If you have high blood pressure or want to take steps to prevent high blood pressure, it’s very important you balance your intake of sodium and potassium. The more potassium in your diet and the lower the sodium, the better your blood pressure will be.
The typical American diet contains 3.6 grams of sodium daily, while the current guidelines recommend limiting sodium to 2.3 grams or less daily (~1 teaspoon). Many Americans are deficient on potassium intake with various causes of low potassium. Currently dietary guidelines recommend 4.7 grams of potassium each day. Good potassium sources include bananas, potatoes, cantaloupe, dates, nuts, oranges, and green leafy vegetables.
All the best,
Lisa Nelson RD
7 Natural Ways to Lower Blood Pressure
