High Blood Pressure Support Group

You may want to read this that was posted on the Natural Alternative Treatments site at the end of March (you may wish to check out responses, if you are interested):

Salt has many other functions than just regulating the water content of the body. Here are some of the more vital functions of salt in the body:
1. Salt is most effective in stabilizing irregular heartbeats and, Contrary to the misconception that it causes high blood pressure, it is actually essential for the regulation of blood pressure - in conjunction with water. Naturally the proportions are critical.

2. Salt is vital to the extraction of excess acidity from the cells in the body, particularly the brain cells.

3. Salt is vital for balancing the sugar levels in the blood; a needed element in diabetics.

4. Salt is vital for the generation of hydroelectric energy in cells in the body. It is used for local power generation at the sites of energy need by the cells.

5. Salt is vital to the nerve cells' communication and information processing all the time that the brain cells work, from the moment of conception to death.

6. Salt is vital for absorption of food particles through the intestinal tract.

7. Salt is vital for the clearance of the lungs of mucus plugs and sticky phlegm, particularly in asthma and cystic fibrosis.

8. Salt is vital for clearing up catarrh and congestion of the sinuses.

9. Salt is a strong natural antihistamine.

10. Salt is essential for the prevention of muscle cramps.

11. Salt is vital to prevent excess saliva production to the point that it flows out of the mouth during sleep. Needing to constantly mop up excess saliva indicates salt shortage.

12. Salt is absolutely vital to making the structure of bones firm. Osteoporosis, in a major way, is a result of salt and water shortage in the body.

13. Salt is vital for sleep regulation. It is a natural hypnotic.

14. Salt is a vitally needed element in the treatment of diabetics.

15. Salt on the tongue will stop persistent dry coughs.

16. Salt is vital for the prevention of gout and gouty arthritis.

17. Salt is vital for maintaining sexuality and libido.

18. Salt is vital for preventing varicose veins and spider veins on the legs and thighs.

19. Salt is vital to the communication and information processing nerve cells the entire time that the brain cells work - from the moment of conception to death.

20. Salt is vital for reducing a double chin. When the body is short of salt, it means the body really is short of water. The salivary glands sense the salt shortage and are obliged to produce more saliva to lubricate the act of chewing and swallowing and also to supply the stomach with water that it needs for breaking down foods. Circulation to the salivary glands increases and the blood vessels become "leaky" in order to supply the glands with water to manufacture saliva. The "leakiness" spills beyond the area of the glands themselves, causing increased bulk under the skin of the chin, the cheeks and into the neck.

21. Sea salt contains about 80 mineral elements that the body needs. Some of these elements are needed in trace amounts. Unrefined sea salt is a better choice of salt than other types of salt on the market. Ordinary table salt that is bought in the super markets has been stripped of its companion elements and contains additive elements such as aluminum silicate to keep it powdery and porous. Aluminum is a very toxic element in our nervous system. It is implicated as one of the primary causes of Alzheimer's disease.

22. Twenty-seven percent of the body's salt is in the bones. Osteoporosis results when the body needs more salt and takes it from the body. Bones are twenty-two percent water. Is it not obvious what happens to the bones when we're deficient in salt or water or both.

As someone who has cut back on her salt intake, I found the above very interesting!

DS, congratulations on controlling your BP with diet, exercise, etc. I know what it's like to live on prepared and fast foods; it makes it very difficult to control sodium intake. One thing you might want to consider is that, if you do cut down on your sodium intake, you might be able to cut out some of the meds. You just have to ask yourself which is more important to you.

By exercising and losing 30 pounds, you have shown that you have drive and willpower. If you decide to cut down on the salt, I'm sure you'll succeed!!!

Think of it as lowering your salt intake. Read the labels on processed foods. Some processed food run 700-900 mg. Eek! Remember if it is green (ie, salads, broccoli etc.) your salt will be naturally lower. Green is good. If your eating out. Skip the fries and add a side salad. If your fixing a box of Rice a Roni change it for a some brown rice or even white rice. Remember regular rice tastes fine with out adding the salt. Viola you have lowered you salt intake. Just start out simple>

It takes about 2 weeks for your taste to adjust. For me now eating food with moderate amounts of salt is just way too salty.

Well said Scarlett and also very Interresting. with me it's getting my Systolic Pressure to normal. I take it several times through the day and it is always above 135. I tgets real high right after exercise and thats when I thought it would be good. but 162/119 is way to high. At home it stays usuallty around 145/78. Any suggestions are welcome. I am going through menopause and am taking natural menopause support pills.am/pm pills.

you seem to have it pretty well managed. I rarely go out to eat as I cant control the sodium and fast food is horrible. If you can stand to go without cheese on your burger or switch to swiss you will have a ton of sodium. Just look at a package or processed cheese. Yikes! Skip the fries and enjoy a small shake. You will save calories, sodium, and heck it feels like a treat!

freudian slip. swiss cheese is lower in sodium. So it saves not haves more sodium. hee hee.