Blood Pressure Health
As an American adult, your chances of developing high blood pressure during your lifetime are high. Following a sedentary lifestyle along with a diet that lacks fruits and vegetables increases your risk for hypertension - the medical term for high blood pressure. Other risk factors such as obestiy, excess salt intake, high stress, and lack of sleep can also contribute to developing hypertension.
There are six important things to remember:
Consuming nine servings of fruits and vegetables daily is important because it helps provide the recommended amount of potassium, a vital nutrient for maintaining blood pressure health.*
Virtually all of us eat more salt than we need, and 90 percent of us are destined to develop high blood pressure during our lifetime. Remember to limit your sodium intake to no more than 2,300 mg per day.
Consider taking an omega-3 supplement with a ratio of EPA to DHA that resembles fatty fish. Research suggests that omega-3 helps support cardiovascular health and maintain healthy blood pressure levels.*
L-Theanine, an amino acid found in tea, and tea antioxidants such as catechins have been studied for their ability to maintain healthy blood pressure levels.*
And lastly, daily exercise and even yoga are key to maintaining cardiovascular, cholesterol, and blood pressure health. In scientific studies, breathing slowly and regularly at about six times per minute has been shown to slow the heart rate, lower blood pressure, and increase calmness and well-being.