This will come as no surprise to some of you. :) I have just learned that insulin resistance is partly responsible for and contributes to high blood pressure.

In a nutshell (though in reality the mechanism is somewhat more complex than the following) , insulin resistance causes retention of sodium, which in turn causes fluid retention. Fluid retention results in high blood pressure and congestive heart failure (in some people). Most hypertensive people have too much insulin and are insulin resistant. As the insulin levels rise, so does the blood pressure. In general, people living to the age of 100 years plus seem to have several things in common. These are low blood sugar levels, low triglycerides AND low insulin.

Sugar and grains cause the body to produce high levels of insulin. THIS is what we can control through the right diet. It has been stressed that the right diet is NOT the complex-carb low-saturated fat type that is so often referred to as the healthiest. Chromium supplementation is also recommended. They say that controlling one's insulin levels is the most powerful anti-aging tool. Insulin resistance is the basis of all chronic diseases - including cardiovascular problems. Thank you Beerzoids!!! :) I guess this is what has taken you so long to figure out. I have to do plenty of research. I am so excited about all this!

I have spent quite a bit of time attempting to re-register. I hope this process will be a lot faster for the rest of you. :)

P.S. Trading your grains for greens is highly recommended.
flowergirl

Wow that's really interesting stuff! Quite a few people I know with HBP have insulin resistance as well. This also makes sense from the "lose weight, lower your BP" advice as well. DEFINITELY going to stick to low-carb (bad carb) now!!!

tamuprof45

P.S. Trading your grains for greens is highly recommended.
flowergirl

Dr. Stoll <removed> has postulated continuously that "leaky gut syndrome" caused by various refined sugars, is at the root of all disease.

The present term, metabolic syndrome, recognizes that lipids, glucose and bp all appear to be part of one "package". I think that if we polled everyone here with elevated BP, we find almost all of their lipids and glucose levels to be borderline, if not outright elevated.

A radical change in my diet, virtually eliminating refined carbs and calorie restriction + exercise, reduced my BP, glucose and lipids. As I mentioned in another thread, my initial glucose results scared me more than the BP readings because with diabetes, the "wheels start to come off the bus".

The good news is, virtually everyone can expect good results from diet change and weight loss.

On the matter of grains, I've started using my bread machine to make bread from whole wheat flour. I think you still have to be careful with the overall amount you consume from a total calorie point of view, but certain grains and carbs are far less problematic from a GI standpoint. Bread isn't the problem, it's just white bread. Potatoes in almost any form should be limited, and things like white rice probably eliminated.

I still get the notion to eat all of these things but the good news about eliminating refined carbs is that you wind up with a notion instead of a craving, in relatively short order.

Having said all of that and after very significant weight loss, with continuing exercise and calorie restrictions, my weight has stayed at the same level for 1 month. I'm staring to wonder if my ccb / ace combo is interfering with my continued weight loss.

A radical change in my diet, virtually eliminating refined carbs and calorie restriction + exercise, reduced my BP, glucose and lipids. As I mentioned in another thread, my initial glucose results scared me more than the BP readings because with diabetes, the "wheels start to come off the bus".

Congratulations on making the very difficult choice to radically change your diet. What types of blood pressure improvements have you experienced, to this point?

The good news is, virtually everyone can expect good results from diet change and weight loss.

The bad news is, virtually no one wants to give up their favorite foods. A lot of it is denial. Many just don't believe the health benefits of a healthy diet. I didn't! I suffered from deteriorating health from heart failure, among other things, and I still did the "chicken wings, french fries, potato chips and beer" thing. My deteriorating health finally forced me to eat healthy. The good news is, I now LOVE my diet, and absolutely would never want to go back to my old, unhealthy diet.

Having said all of that and after very significant weight loss, with continuing exercise and calorie restrictions, my weight has stayed at the same level for 1 month. I'm staring to wonder if my ccb / ace combo is interfering with my continued weight loss.

What is your BMI (Body Mass Index)?

Congratulations, again, on lowering your BP, glucose and lipids through diet! Nice going! :wave:

Congratulations on making the very difficult choice to radically change your diet. What types of blood pressure improvements have you experienced, to this point?


The bad news is, virtually no one wants to give up their favorite foods. A lot of it is denial. Many just don't believe the health benefits of a healthy diet. I didn't! I suffered from deteriorating health from heart failure, among other things, and I still did the "chicken wings, french fries, potato chips and beer" thing. My deteriorating health finally forced me to eat healthy. The good news is, I now LOVE my diet, and absolutely would never want to go back to my old, unhealthy diet.



What is your BMI (Body Mass Index)?

Congratulations, again, on lowering your BP, glucose and lipids through diet! Nice going! :wave:

Thank you for the compliments.

From initial BP readings that had spiked as high as 210 / 130, my morning readings at present are between 90 -115 / 60-70. I began with a daily CCB / ACE dose of 10 / 40. Presently, I take a 5 / 20 dose.

My BMI at the beginning of this "process" was 36.1, it presently calculates as 28.2, which is still considered overweight.

I was also prescribed a statin for cholesterol and my lipid numbers are now well within range, particularly triglycerides, which is subject to diet and weight influences. My glucose level also went into the normal range.

I do get the urge to eat potato chips and various fried foods, but as mentioned, it doesn't fall into the category of a physical craving. As a result, it's easier for the desire to remain healthy to overcome the temptation.

Part of my ongoing rationalization is that it is much easier to "deny" myself certain foodstuffs and persist with, at times tedious exercise, than have to confront the more degenerative effects of HBP and elevated glucose.

Good luck to you as well!

What an interesting and inspiring discussion, guys! Thanks for sharing your insights. They are much appreciated. :)

Hi everyone,

I have a new question about the insulin issues for those of you who have had to deal with them.
I had two consecutive fasting insulin tests done about four days apart. The results were astounding. The first one showed the insulin as very low and well within the normal range. The second one showed almost triple the value of the original one. I had fasted for both, was not in any way anxious...cannot think of any non-medical (or medical) reason this should be so. I had a call from my doctor's office requesting an appointment. I am puzzled by this and even think that perhaps the lab well, failed to do the first (or second????) test correctly.

What do you think?
thank you,
flowergirl

Hi, that is strange to get two different readings like that? DO you have any symptoms of insulin resistance? As long as you were fasting the numbers should be accurate? Did you eat a heavy carb meal the night before?
Fatigue, brain fogginess, HBP, elevated or low glucose, sleepiness, abdominal weight gain, infertility issues, rashes, skin tags, intesinal bloating, increased triglycerides, depression?
I havev agressively been treating minew now for about 2 months with diet and exercise and it is helping.

Bre

... The first one showed the insulin as very low and well within the normal range. The second one showed almost triple the value of the original one. ...cannot think of any non-medical (or medical) reason this should be so. ...

Chemicals or food residues on the fingers could dramatically alter blood sugar readings. I always wash my hands with soap prior to testing.

Other factors? ---> Could be a problem that the test strips were exposed to heat or moisture or were expired, or that the blood sample was not sufficient.

I certainly hope that it was your first test that was accurate and not the second.

In the meantime, have a pleasant evening and feel good that you don't live in New Orleans right now! :eek:

Thank you, Machaon.

I'd like to think it's a lab error. The blood sample was taken from the brachial artery, not the fingertips. The girls in my regular lab have become good friends. They are knowledgable, accurate and can be depended on. I would never question their work. These blood samples were sent to another lab in an institution specializing in cardio and renal issues. They were running some other tests as well. I am wondering if it is possible for the food consumed prior to fasting to influence the reading. I also wonder what the average jump in insulin is after consuming a well-balanced meal. I guess one has to research insulin fluctuations and related issues to get some information. I am finding it difficult to keep up. Thank you for your reply. I feel better knowing there's plenty of room for error. I would be very surprised if some of the other drugs I take weren't affecting the readings. I know that the Hctz affects my blood glucose levels. I just don't know to what degree.

P.S. I will keep my fingers crossed for everyone living in Louisiana. My thoughts are with them.

flowergirl

What a question, FG. Insulin resistance has been on my list of stuff to investigate, but my thyroid issues have come front & center for now.

The only thing I can think of at the moment which probably is a long shot is the fact that I think you said you have gastroparesis.
I'll be interested in subject as it relates to b/p & how it works out with you. Fam

Bre, :)

thank you for your reply. There's the abdominal bloating/swelling, which is partly due to a hernia. I now have two of those. The other possible cause is still being worked up. The insulin tests were a part of the workup. In just a few weeks, I have gained a lot of weight while eating the exact same foods as usual. All of the weight gain is in the abdominal area, with a bit in the upper legs. It does not seem to be going away. I have peripheral edema, so it's difficult to tell how much of the extra weight in the legs is new. I am wondering if my insulin handling might have gone haywire. I am on a lot of medication, which is, I am sure, at least partly responsible for my predicament. I also have very low blood iron. Could I be having some malabsorption issues?

Funny you mentioned rashes. I get plenty of them - side effects of my meds, I figured. Our bodies react adversly to the absorption of the unknown "toxins", as our medications are perceived. No wonder people on multiple meds are troubled by frequent rashes.

I eat fresh bread every day, even though I know it's not good for me. So you are probably right about me eating too many carbs. I wonder what my doctor will have to say and if insulin is what he wants to see me about.

I am not too sure what the symptoms of insulin resistance are. My blood glucose levels were high. I figured this was thanks to the Hctz. Now I am not so sure. I do get dizzy quite a bit - I wonder if that could be a symptom of insulin resistance.

flowergirl

Fam, :)

I know the feeling. Focusing on the issue at hand is difficult when one is having to research several that seem a lot more important. On top of that, if you are like me, you get sidetracked easily, and end up reading about something completely different than intended. I have not read anything about the gastroparesis or motility issues. It can wait. Did you know that motility problems can cause GERD? I just heard that and was quite shocked. I'll have to find out more about a possible connection. My GERD appeared to be a consequence of my drug therapy. I guess one can never be absolutely sure of anything.

I am glad that my thyroid tests seem OK. All levels are within the normal range. I am so sorry you are still having difficulties with yours. My cholesterol levels have markedly improved, thanks to the cholesterol medication.

Diet, digestion, absorption, insulin resistance, blood pressure..they are all connected. It all starts and ends with the diet. I found a brief mention about malabsorption of fructose and other short-chain carbs and the resulting problems. Because I eat a lot of fruit, and the dietary sources of fructose ARE fruits, honey and high fructose corn syrup, I owe it to myself to explore this further. If I learn anything relevant to hypertension or a weight loss, I'll post it here. :)

flowergirl