Blood pressure is the force of blood as it moves through the blood vessels. If blood cannot flow easily through the vessels, the force increases. If the force is too great, you have high blood pressure.

High blood pressure is a serious disease. It increases the workload on the heart and blood vessels and can lead to heart disease, stroke, kidney problems and even blindness.

The medical term for high blood pressure is hypertension. High blood pressure is dangerous because it makes the heart work too hard and contributes to atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries). It increases the risk of heart disease and stroke, the first and third leading causes of death among Americans.

How can I tell if I have high blood pressure?

High blood pressure usually has no symptoms. In fact, many people have high blood pressure for years without knowing it. That’s why it’s called the “silent killer”. In 90-95 percent of cases, the cause of high blood pressure is unknown.

A single elevated blood pressure reading doesn’t mean you have high blood pressure, but it’s a sign that further observation is required. The only way to find out if you have high blood pressure is to have your blood pressure checked.

Who is affected?

High blood pressure affects about 50 million (or one in four) American adults. It is especially common among African Americans, who tend to develop it earlier and more often than whites. Also, many Americans tend to develop high blood pressure as they get older; however hypertension is not a part of healthy aging. About 60 percent of all Americans age 60 and older have high blood pressure.

Others at high risk of developing hypertension are persons who are overweight, those with a family history of high blood pressure, and those with a high-normal blood pressure.

Does smoking tobacco cause high blood pressure?

No. However, it can temporarily raise blood pressure, and it does increase the risk of heart and blood vessel diseases. Smoking injures blood vessel walls and speeds up the process of hardening of the arteries. If you smoke, quit. Your risk of having a heart attack is reduced after the first year.

What do blood pressure numbers indicate?

The higher (systolic) number represents the pressure while the heart is beating.

The lower (diastolic) number represents the pressure when the heart is resting between beats.

The systolic pressure is always stated first and the diastolic pressure second. For example; if a person’s blood pressure is 122/76 (122 over 76), the systolic pressure is 122 and the diastolic pressure is 76.

How often should I have my blood pressure checked?

If you do not have high blood pressure then you should have your pressure checked at least every two years. If you have high blood pressure consult with your health care provider.

What are Factors that contribute to high blood pressure?

Because medical science doesn’t understand why most cases of high blood pressure occur, it’s hard to say how to prevent it. However, we do know of several factors that may contribute to high blood pressure and put you at risk for heart attack and stroke.

Controllable risk factors?

Obesity – People with a body mass index (BMI)* of 30.0 or higher are more likely to develop high blood pressure.

Eating too much salt – This increases blood much salt pressure in some people.

Alcohol – Heavy and regular use of alcohol can increase blood pressure dramatically.

Lack of exercise – An inactive lifestyle makes it exercise easier to become overweight and increases the chance of high blood pressure.

Stress – This is often mentioned as a risk factor. However, stress levels are hard to measure, and responses to stress vary from person to person.

What are uncontrollable risk factors?

Race – African Americans develop high blood pressure more often than whites, and it tends to occur earlier and be more severe.

Heredity – A tendency to have high blood pressure runs in families. If your parents or other close blood relatives have it, you’re more likely to develop it.

Age – In general, the older you get, the greater your chance of developing high blood pressure. It occurs most often in people over age 35. Men seem to develop it most often between age 35 and 50. Women are more likely to develop it after menopause.

*BMI (body mass index) is used to define nutritional status and is derived from the following formula:

BMI=703 x Body Weight ÷ (Height ix Height) (in pounds) (in inches)

The standards are the same for men and women. A BMI of 25 to 29.9 is considered overweight.

Source: American Heart Association National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute

The term diabetes refers either to a deficiency of insulin or to the body’s decreased ability to use insulin. Insulin, a hormone secreted by the pancreas, allows glucose (sugar) to enter body cells and be converted to energy. It also is needed to synthesize protein and to store fats. In uncontrolled diabetes, glucose and lipids (fats) remain in the bloodstream and, in time, damage the body’s vital organs and contribute to heart disease.

There are two main types of diabetes: non-insulin dependent (type-2) and insulin dependent (type-1). Non-insulin dependent diabetes, which usually appears after the age of 40, is the most common type, affecting 90 percent – 95 percent of those who have the disease. Insulin-dependent diabetes affects the remaining proportion of those with the disease. Although this type of diabetes can occur at any age, it most often appears in childhood or during the teen years.

What are the signs of diabetes?

The signs of diabetes are frequent thirst, constant urination, unusual hunger, rapid loss of weight, and obvious weakness and fatigue.

Who is most at risk for developing diabetes?

The following have a greater risk of developing non-insulin dependent diabetes:

• Those with a family history of diabetes (parents or siblings with diabetes).
• Individuals who are obese (20 percent or more over ideal body weight).
• Members of certain racial or ethnic groups. Those who are more likely to develop diabetes are Mexican and Puerto Rican Americans (twice as likely), African Americans (1.6 times) and Cuban Americans (1.5 times).
• Those who are 45 years of age and older.
• Individuals previously identified as having impaired glucose tolerance.
• Individuals with hypertension or who have excessive levels of fat in their blood (hyperlipidemia).
• Women who have a history of gestational diabetes during pregnancy or who have delivered babies weighing more than 9 pounds.

Can diabetes be prevented?

Non-insulin dependent diabetes often can be prevented through a healthy diet and physical activity. A number of studies have confirmed that regular exercise, especially for those who are at high risk, can prevent this type of diabetes.

Can the complications of diabetes be prevented?

A clinical study conducted by the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Disease showed that keeping blood sugar levels as close to normal as possible slows the onset and progression of eye, kidney and nerve diseases caused by diabetes. The study concluded that lowering blood sugar levels reduces the risk of eye disease by 76 percent, of kidney disease by 50 percent, of nerve disease by 60 percent and of cardiovascular disease by 35 percent.

What is a good blood sugar level?

Everyone has some sugar in his or her blood. A good blood sugar range for most people with diabetes is from about 70 to 150. This is before a meal, such as breakfast, or four to five hours after a meal. Blood sugar should be less than 200 about two hours after your last meal. Remember, everyone is different. A good blood sugar range for one person may not be the best for someone else. Ask your physician what the best blood sugar range is for you.

What is the best way to maintain a good blood sugar level?

There are some things you can do every day to maintain a good blood sugar level and to stay healthy:

• Eat healthy food. People with diabetes do not need special foods. Foods on your diabetes meal plan are good for everyone in the family. Try to eat foods that are low in fat, salt and sugar and high in fiber, such as beans, fruits and vegetables, and grains. If you use insulin, be sure to take it before you eat, eat at about the same time, and do not skip meals.
• Exercise regularly. Exercise is good for your diabetes. Walking, swimming, dancing, riding a bicycle, playing baseball and bowling are all examples of good ways to exercise. Try to exercise regularly, at least three times a week for about 30 to 40 minutes each time. If you have not exercised in a while, begin slowly and gradually increase intensity and duration. Before beginning any exercise program, be sure to check with your physician.
• Take your diabetes medicine. Insulin and diabetes pills are the two kinds of medicines used to lower blood sugar. If you take insulin, your physician will tell you what kind of insulin to use, how much and when to give yourself a shot. Your physician or diabetes educator will show you how and where to give yourself a shot. Always use your own needles and never share them with anyone else. If you take diabetes pills, ask your physician when to take the pills. Remember, these pills do not lower blood sugar all by themselves. You will still have to follow your diet and exercise to lower your blood sugar. If you do not use insulin or take diabetes pills, follow your physician’s advice about eating and getting enough exercise.
• Test your blood sugar. Ask your physician how often and when you should test your blood sugar. To test your blood, you need a small needle called a lancet, special blood testing strips and a glucose monitor (a special electronic device used to test for blood sugar). Your physician or a nurse can show you how to test your blood and give you information on glucose monitors.
• Two other tests can help you keep track of your blood sugar. You may need a urine test when you are ill or if your blood sugar is above 240 before eating. This test will tell you if you have ketones in your urine. Ketones are present when there is not enough insulin in your blood; they can make you very sick. Call your physician immediately if you find ketones in your urine. The hemogloboin A1c test shows what your average blood sugar was for the past three months. Ask your physician for this test every six months.

1. Every person has cancer cells in the body. These cancer cells do not show up in the standard tests until they have multiplied to a few billion. When doctors tell cancer patients that there are no more
cancer cells in their bodies after treatment, it just means the tests are unable to detect the cancer cells because they have not reached the detectable size.

2. Cancer cells occur between 6 to more than 10 times in person’s lifetime.

3. When the person’s immune system is strong the cancer cells will be destroyed and prevented from multiplying and forming tumour

4. When a person has cancer it indicates the person has multiple nutritional deficiencies. These could be due to genetic, environmental, food and lifestyle factors.

5. To overcome the multiple nutritional deficiencies, changing diet and including supplements will strengthen the immune system.

6. Chemotherapy involves poisoning the rapidly-growing cancer cells and also destroys rapidly-growing healthy cells in the bone marrow, gastro-intestinal tract etc, and can cause organ damage, like liver, kidneys,  heart, lungs etc.

7. Radiation while destroying cancer cells also burns, scars and damages healthy cells, tissues and organs.

8. Initial treatment with chemotherapy and radiation will often reduce tumour size. However prolonged use of chemotherapy and radiation do not result in more tumour destruction.

9. When the body has too much toxic burden from chemotherapy and radiation the immune system is either compromised or destroyed, hence the person can succumb to various kinds of infections and complications.

10. Chemotherapy and radiation can cause cancer cells to mutate and become resistant and difficult to destroy. Surgery can also cause cancer cells to spread to other sites

11. An effective way to battle cancer is to starve the cancer cells by not feeding it with the foods it need to multiply.

a. Sugar is a cancer-feeder. By cutting off sugar it cuts off one important food supply to the cancer cells. Sugar substitutes like NutraSweet, Equal, Spoonful, etc are made with Aspartame and it is harmful.
A better natural substitute would be Manuka honey or molasse but only in very small amounts.

b. Milk causes the body to produce mucus, especially in the gastro-intestinal tract. Cancer feeds on mucus. By cutting off milk and substituting with unsweetened soya milk cancer cells are being starved.
Milo, Ovaltine, Horlicks are made with milk and best avoided.

c. Cancer cells thrive in an acid environment. A meat-based diet is acidic and it is best to eat more vegetable & fruits. Rather than taking meat. Because meat also contains livestock antibiotics,growth
hormones, parasites, etc which are all harmful to people with cancer.

d. A diet made of 80% fresh vegetables and juice, whole grains, seeds, nuts and a little fruits helps put the body into an alkaline environment. About 20% can be from cooked food including beans. Fresh
vegetable juices provide live enzymes that are easily absorbed and reach down to cellular levels within 15 minutes to nourish and enhance growth of healthy cells.

e. Avoid coffee, tea, and chocolate, which have caffeine.
Five-leaf ginseng which is caffeine free is a better alternative and has cancer-fighting properties.

12. Meat protein is difficult to digest and requires a lot of digestive enzymes. Undigested meat remaining in the intestines become putrefied and leads to more toxic buildup & the calcium content in human body will be “destroyed” slowly.

13. Cancer cell walls have a tough protein covering. By refraining from or eating less meat it frees more enzymes to attack the protein walls of cancer cells and allows the body’s killer cells to destroy the cancer cells.

14. Some supplements (must be wholesome, which means not going thru a chemical process to extract) build up the immune system (IP6, Flor-ssence, Essiac, anti-oxidants, vitamins, minerals, EFAs etc) to enable the body’s own killer cells to destroy cancer cells. Other supplements (Maitake e.g .) are known to cause cancer cells apoptosis, that is, induce cancer cells to commit suicide. ABM Mushroom, Shatake Mushroom, Ling Zi, Yun Zi, are able to activate the natural killer cells of our body a few times active to combat with the cancel cells.

15. Cancer is a disease of the mind, body, and spirit. A proactive and positive spirit will help the cancer warrior be a survivor.
Anger, unforgiveness and bitterness put the body into a stressful and acidic environment. Learn to have a loving and forgiving spirit. Learn to relax, enjoy and trust God for healing.

16. Cancer cells cannot thrive in an oxygenated environment.
Exercising daily and deep breathing help to get more oxygen down to the cellular level. Oxygen therapy is another means employed to destroy cancer cells.

17. Cancer can be reversed with nutrition, supplements and clinically proven complementary and alternative therapies.

video from youtube explaining Diabetes, Type 1, Type 2, Glucose and Insulin.

• Buy vegetables that are fresh, frozen, or canned “with no salt added.”
• Use fresh poultry, fish, and lean meat, rather than canned or processed types.
• Use herbs, spices, and salt-free seasoning blends in cooking and at the table.
• Cook rice, pasta, and hot cereals without salt. Cut back on instant or flavored rice, pasta, and cereal mixes.
• Choose convenience foods that are lower in sodium. Cut back on frozen dinners, packaged mixes, canned soups or broths, and salad dressings.
• Rinse canned foods, such as tuna, to remove some sodium.
• When available, buy low-sodium, reduced-sodium, or no-salt-added versions of foods.
• Choose breakfast cereals that are lower in sodium.
• Snack on fruits and vegetables instead of chips.

Source : www.everydayhealth.com

Note :

* For the prevention of hypertension can use Madetens Capsules
* Treatment of hypertension / stroke can use Stroke  ( hypertension ) Package