Of course I couldn’t let yesterday’s coverage of the mainstream’s misguided and much-failed approach to high blood pressure go without a mention of one of their greatest blunders…
I’ve warned readers before (in The Great Salt Scam), but it’s worth repeating: The government’s long campaign against salt is NOT based on scientific evidence.
For years we’ve labored under bad science when it comes to salt and blood pressure. We’ve been fed a steady diet of misinformation that salt raises blood pressure, causes hypertension, and can lead to premature death.
But the fact is, if you have healthy kidneys, your body should be able to get rid of any excess salt. Subject those kidneys to a huge amount of stress however, and you may have problems.
In fact, if you lower your salt intake to the levels the government recommends, you may actually be doing more harm than good! Fortunately, from this standpoint the number of people who can actually achieve these salt restrictions is ludicrously small in reality (The Extraordinary 0.01%).
Now, some experts are advising the government to finally take a more sensible, “holistic” approach to the prevention of high blood pressure and heart disease. And recommending that appropriate emphasis be placed on lifestyle.
Finally, another voice of reason taking a stab at something I’ve been advocating for decades.
The lifelong connection between lifestyle and high blood pressure is something I’ve understood since I did my own research on blood pressure back in the 1970’s for which I was awarded an undergraduate research prize from the American Heart Association. Research that uncovered a clear link between stress and high blood pressure starting in childhood.
The evidence shows that lifestyle approaches simply lead to better results. And that is what government guidelines should be all about—evidence and results.
But these are the two most relevant and critical factors that, over and over again, are missing in action (or inaction, as the case may be) from bureaucratic fumblings and mumblings. And the concept of actual results when it comes to government health programs? “Fuggedaboudit.”
So, after all the waste of taxpayer money and precious time ignoring the evidence…what has another new “panel of experts” just come up with? The exact same lifestyle approaches we have known and recommended for decades for maintaining all-around good health and longevity:
- Manage weight
- Eat fresh fruit and vegetables
- Engage in moderate physical activity
AND
- Moderate alcohol intake
And of course, if you have high blood pressure, I recommend immediate action with the right blood-pressure medication in addition to all of the above.
Salt is simply NOT the issue for most people.
The experts were convened by the International Food Information Council Foundation (IFICF) which is supported primarily by the broad-based food, beverage, and agricultural industries.
But regardless of the source, the facts are the facts. And we should be happy that someone else is pointing out the actual evidence when it comes to preventing and managing high blood pressure and heart disease.
For details on all the steps you can take personally, today, to help prevent and manage your own high blood pressure or heart disease, please see your free bonus Library of Insiders’ Cures report on The Insider’s Secret to Conquering High Blood Pressure and Protecting Your Heart. (If you’re not a subscriber, get started today.)
References:
Henry, J.P. and Micozzi, M.S. (1977) Influence of psychosocial stimulation and early experience on blood pressure in infancy and childhood, Medical College Pennsylvania, Ciba Symposium on Hypertension in Children, Adolescents and Young Adults, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Micozzi, M.S. (1980) Childhood hypertension and academic standing in the Philippines, American Journal of Public Health 70: 530-532.