How Does Diet Affect Hypertension?
Potassium is the most important mineral for treating hypertension. Naturopathic medicine for hypertension aims to increase the ratio of potassium to sodium in the body through a diet that is high in raw fruits and vegetables and whole grains, and low in processed foods and table salt. In a naturopathic recommended diet, low-fat, low-cholesterol foods that are high in complex carbohydrates replace red meat, sugar, and salt. In addition to the potassium-to-sodium ratio, naturopathic medicine for hypertension focuses on other dietary factors that are known or suspected of influencing blood pressure: • Garlic is widely recognized for its efficacy in lowering blood pressure. • Some evidence suggests that diets that are low in calcium may increase the risk of hypertension, particularly during pregnancy. • Magnesium can help lower blood pressure by increasing the efficiency of the heart muscle. • Hypertension has been associated with low levels of vitamin C in the diet. • There is some eviden
