pureheart

Old is new again
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Twenty years ago, diuretic medications accounted for more


blockers and angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors
dominate the market as the primary pharmaceuticals of choice
for mainstream doctors treating hypertension. These two
classes of medications combined currently gross around $10
billion a year. But this new study could change all of that
dramatically.

Over a period of eight years, 42,000 volunteers, working with
623 hospitals, completed the Antihypertensive and Lipid-
Lowering Treatment to Prevent Heart Attack Trial - better
known as ALLHAT. Last month, the Journal of the American
Medical Association (JAMA) announced the researchers'
findings that diuretics work just as well to reduce high
blood pressure as ACE inhibitors and calcium channel
blockers.

The ALLHAT results are significant, because diuretic drugs
cost about 90% less than the more popular drugs that bumped
them aside in the marketplace years ago. With health costs on
the rise, this is a welcome development for an estimated 50
million Americans coping with hypertension. But before they
jump treatments, they need to know that there's much more to
the diuretics issue than just an appealing economic angle.

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After the savings - the downside
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Diuretics reduce the body's sodium and volume of water by
increasing urinary output. This lowers blood volume, which
brings down blood pressure and reduces the risk of heart
attack, stroke and other cardiovascular events. But what's
wrong with this picture?

With blinders firmly (and typically) in place, this
mainstream medical solution to hypertension focuses on one
specific problem, ignoring the effects on the rest of the
body. Think about it: If you drain the body of fluid and
sodium you set the stage for chronic dehydration and a host
of other problems, including brain cell and nervous system
dysfunction.

Here's another example of how treating cardiovascular health
with diuretics can backfire: When urinary excretion is
increased, a greater amount of magnesium is eliminated from
the body. But recent studies have shown that magnesium may be
one of the most important minerals your body needs to help
prevent heart disease.

When you borrow from Peter to pay Paul, sooner or later Peter
comes looking for you.

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Where to turn?
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Don't get me wrong - I'm not suggesting that ACE inhibitors
and calcium channel blockers are better for treating
hypertension. Both of these drug classes come with their own
lists of unpleasant side effects. Unfortunately, however,
anyone with dangerously high blood pressure will probably
need to resort to pharmaceuticals to achieve quick results.
But if your blood pressure is only moderately high (not yet
in the serious danger zone), there are a number simple
dietary changes that may easily bring hypertension under
control.

In an e-Alert I sent you in 2001 ("Lower Your Blood Pressure
Without Side Effects" 8/23/01), I told you about studies that
have shown that fresh garlic can lower blood pressure (as
well as improve your heart health in a number of other ways).
And fresh onions, like garlic, are also reputed to help thin
blood and lower blood pressure. In one well-reported study
from Germany a couple of years ago, researchers demonstrated
that a combination of chopped onions and olive oil led to a
significant decrease in blood pressure within just a few
days.

Cutting back on salt is usually the first dietary change most
people make when addressing hypertension. But according to
alternative medicine pioneer Jonathan V. Wright, M.D., "This
severe restriction is less a 'universal recommendation' than
it once was. In fact, some researchers have found that severe
sodium restriction actually increases the risk of premature
death." Dr. Wright recommends determining your own personal
sensitivity to salt on a trial and error basis. He says that,
more often than not, reducing salt intake will help reduce
blood pressure, but it's worth investigating before you make
the long-term sacrifice.

If you do find that decreased sodium intake makes a
difference, you might consider switching to sea salt. Used in
moderation, Celtic Sea Salt has been shown to have no
negative effects on blood pressure and actually provides the
body with a number of helpful minerals, including magnesium.

One important note: If you're currently taking an ACE
inhibitor or a calcium channel blocker, consult your doctor
before changing to a less expensive diuretic. But for anyone
who has just found out that their blood pressure is on the
high side, it's good to know that there are some simple
dietary changes that could eliminate the need for drugs.


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Earlier this week I sent you an e-Alert ("Hyper Drive"
1/7/02) about diuretics and hypertension. Just today I've
come across another study that shows how certain vitamins can
help manage high blood pressure as well.

Researchers at Tulane University examined data from more than
15,000 adults who participated in the Third National Health
and Nutrition Examination Survey. The Tulane team
specifically searched for data that revealed antioxidant
levels in the blood in relation to blood pressure.

Although their findings indicate that vitamins E and A do not
reduce hypertension, vitamin C, beta carotene and alpha
carotene were all associated with a lower risk of high blood
pressure. Both of these carotenes are found in abundance in
fruits and vegetables, and both are converted to vitamin A in
the body. The researchers did not explain the somewhat
contradictory result that vitamin A does not reduce high
blood pressure, while the nutrients that the body converts to
vitamin A do.

Eating fresh fruits and vegetables promotes hearth health?
That's not news to us. And yet a noted expert in antioxidant
research, Dr. Jeffrey Blumberg (Tufts University School of
Medicine) told Reuters Health that the Tulane study is the
first to find an association between alpha and beta carotene
and blood pressure.

Please pass the carrots.

To Your Good Health,

Jenny Thompson
Health Sciences Institute

http://www.hsibaltimore.com