Re: how long until you get lower bp from low sodium
My doc said that a low sodium diet can help by "a couple points." In other words, he's not too convinced that it will lead to dramatic results. If that is true, it might be hard to notice exactly when it takes effect. However, with that said, I do follow a low sodium diet, mostly because it helps me eat healthier all around. If you're eating low sodium, you're staying away from processed foods--which is good. I gravitate towards fresh fruits and vegetables for snacks, as opposed to the chips and pretzels that I used to eat, and I'll eat grilled meats instead of battered or fried meats.
Re: how long until you get lower bp from low sodium
I might question the "few points" comment...the DASH diet for example works by emphasizing low sodium and its natural diuretic effect...the impact in BP seems to be more than a "few points."
There is massive contradictory info re sodium out ther, enough to make the head spin. OTOH many doctors say only a minority of BP patients are sodium-sensitive. OTOH, low sodium diets like DASH work in 75-80% of patients, so how could the prior point be true, I wonder?
Re: how long until you get lower bp from low sodium
I really beg to differ with you. Those are not the only causes of HBP....there is the genetic link. I jog religiously, have for years. Work out twice a week with a trainer. Am 5'2" and weigh 110, 63 years old. Had low blood pressure (90/60) most of my life. Never eat much salt...diet style hasn't changed much in years. All of a sudden two years ago, the bad gene from my dad showed up - high blood pressure. Had to quit boasting about my excellent cholesterol ratings (167) to my sister who got the bad cholesterol gene from daddy. (She works out, eats right, etc just like me). There is nothing you can do about the genetic link. My doc says that sodium intake is not the cause in most cases of HPB. And since he has an MD/PhD and did his PhD in hypertension, I listen to what he says.
Re: how long until you get lower bp from low sodium
Maybe hormonal? that can play a part also. I know after each baby my BP shoot up like mad and took forever to come down. I have been off meds for awhile now and my bp is betwen 80/60 90/70 as a average, now that my hormones settled down. men get hormone inbalances as well as females. You might want to have it checked out.
Re: how long until you get lower bp from low sodium
There certainly is a genetic component to HBP in some people. In the aggregate however, levels of HBP have risen parallel to the sharp increase in sodium in the food supply as well over the past few decades. Doctors are often far too quick to shrug their shoulders and say "Gee high blood pressure 'just happens,' sorry, here are your 5 prescription drugs." For some people, without a doubt, resistant hypertension is very real. But many can with time isolate a factor or factors that they can address to control it.
In the meantime, it is vital to work with doctors who LISTEN to isolate a cause, be it sodium or another to thus calibrate a proper and helpful treatment.
Re: how long until you get lower bp from low sodium
I will further add that most people, the vast majority in fact (myself included) had/have little idea just how much sodium they consume. The amount in foods we take for granted like bread is absolutely staggering. Virtually all canned or frozen food products, ditto. And then there are restaurant foods.
I used to think I ate a low sodium diet because I never added salt to my food. I later calculated on average my daily sodium intake was in excess of 6000 mg per day. I have since, sadly, become a fanatical label reader re sodium as well as cut back on restaurant food a lot. Along with sugar, sodium in food today is absolutely pernicious.
Re: how long until you get lower bp from low sodium
Quote:
Originally Posted by tamuprof45
I might question the "few points" comment...the DASH diet for example works by emphasizing low sodium and its natural diuretic effect...the impact in BP seems to be more than a "few points."
Personally, I would think that the DASH diet works because of the foods it emphasizes--fruits, veggies, lean meats, etc.--rather than just because it is low sodium. In any event, a low sodium diet tends to be a healthier diet by consequence, and a healthier diet in conjunction with exercise will lead to good BP results in a lot of people.
If you are eating 6000 mg of sodium a day, without adding salt, it cannot be a very healthy diet, in my opinion.
Re: how long until you get lower bp from low sodium
Tam is correct about how much sodium we really do eat in one day. I know so many people who say.. oh I NEVER add salt. they just don't get it. After my Dad's open heart surgery he was on an insane low sodium diet. he was down to pretty much nothing to eat and the foods he did have were awful.
Re: how long until you get lower bp from low sodium
I found it intriguing that there are a few tribal societies in the world where the elderly keep their BP well below 115/75 even as they age. The common thread in these societies that anthropologists noted was the very low amounts of sodium in their traditional diets. Certainly an active lifestyle helps too, as well as being socially connected...both of which lower BP. I can't help thinking the sodium must be a big issue too.
Re: how long until you get lower bp from low sodium
And if they were exposed to a typical Western diet, they would probably develop HBP. Then, they would have damaged a gene and the next generation, if if they went back to the tribal location and lived totally in that environment, would have a higher risk for HBP. You just cannot discount the genetic link. And until gene therapy is refined, there won't be a way to correct it.
Re: how long until you get lower bp from low sodium
I don't know why low sodium foods would be awful? Fresh fruits, veggies, unsalted nuts, grains, lean meats and fish seasoned appropriately...
Stay away from packaged foods (can, jar, box, bottle, whatever) and you'll avoid a lot of sodium and a whole lot of other crap that's not good for you.
Re: how long until you get lower bp from low sodium
Quote:
Originally Posted by caberg
I don't know why low sodium foods would be awful? Fresh fruits, veggies, unsalted nuts, grains, lean meats and fish seasoned appropriately...
Stay away from packaged foods (can, jar, box, bottle, whatever) and you'll avoid a lot of sodium and a whole lot of other crap that's not good for you.
Re: how long until you get lower bp from low sodium
Quote:
Originally Posted by Titchou
And if they were exposed to a typical Western diet, they would probably develop HBP. Then, they would have damaged a gene and the next generation, if if they went back to the tribal location and lived totally in that environment, would have a higher risk for HBP. You just cannot discount the genetic link. And until gene therapy is refined, there won't be a way to correct it.
uhhhh no it wouldn't. they developed a good tolerance and it would take a lot of mcdonalds to break someone who eats nothing but fresh fruits, veggies & meats into the HBP range. Thats why about 1/3 of american adults have HBP.
In fact, no one should eat a typical western diet. You are what you eat.
Re: how long until you get lower bp from low sodium
Then why have we ruined so many cultures when we've "westernized" them????? The rise in "western" diseases in 3rd world countries is very problematic. Not to mention what we've done to native Americans.
Re: how long until you get lower bp from low sodium
yes it was awful, post heart surgery he was allowed hardly anything to eat. lettuce and a couple of ounces of turkey meat. no pasta, no rice, bread, he was even restricted with the fruits he could eat and nuts. the meat because of the cholestral, nuts had too much fat, the fruit were too high in carbs apparently.
I felt so sorry for my dad. In the hospital they served him sodium free mushroom soup and it had no flavour.
Re: how long until you get lower bp from low sodium
Quote:
Originally Posted by Titchou
...there is the genetic link. ... My doc says that sodium intake is not the cause in most cases of HPB. And since he has an MD/PhD and did his PhD in hypertension, I listen to what he says.
Although they suspect there may be a genetic link, none has been proven, per the US government.
I'm not so sure that your doc can make the generalization about sodium intake not being the cause in most cases of HBP...he may be correct but I haven't seen the evidence to support what he's saying.
Although he may have an MD/PhD in hypertension, he doesn't know everything, and what he does know may be controversial...I value credentials, but there's alot more to it that letters after a name.
Re: how long until you get lower bp from low sodium
Quote:
Originally Posted by tamuprof45
...I used to think I ate a low sodium diet because I never added salt to my food. I later calculated on average my daily sodium intake was in excess of 6000 mg per day. I have since, sadly, become a fanatical label reader re sodium as well as cut back on restaurant food a lot. Along with sugar, sodium in food today is absolutely pernicious.tamuprof45
Wow, tamuprof, wow!! I've missed a lot since I've been on this board. I'm impressed!!!!
I've been doing ok with my numbers but a friend and I celebrated last week by going out and ordering a vegetarian pizza...my numbers went from about 128/85 to 200/100 within 24 hours!!! I'll NEVER do that again...do I need to tell you that I didn't enjoy the pizza because it was too salty?
