(CBS) If you’re consuming a lot of fructose, look out.

A new study found increased rates of borderline high blood pressure amongst people who consumed at least 74 grams of fructose a day – about four soda’s worth.

Fructose is found naturally in fruit and table sugar and also in high-fructose corn syrup, a corn-based product often used to sweeten processed foods, juices and sodas.

“There is no question that fructose itself appears to have effects that other sugars don’t have,” Dr. Michel Chonchol of the University of Colorado Denver, who worked on the study, told Reuters.

He cautioned that consumers should look out for products with high-fructose corn syrup, which can have high levels of fructose.

“In the grocery store, you see food without high-fructose corn syrup,” he said, telling Reuters that consumers should opt for them.

Over consumption of sugar, no matter what its source, is a major cause of diabetes, stroke and heart disease, says the American Heart Association.

Still, fructose seems to have a special roll in raising blood pressure, according to the study which appears in the Journal of the American Society of Nephrology.

Some people remain unconvinced. The Corn Refiners Association (high-fructose corn syrup is made from corn) claims the study was flawed, and the American Beverage Association also objected.

“This study, which looks at fructose intake, furthers the confusion and misunderstandings about high-fructose corn syrup and sugar-sweetened beverages,” Dr. Maureen Storey of the Beverage Association said in a statement.

The industry claims that once fructose is absorbed into the blood it’s not better or worse than other sugars.

Dr. Story said no true cause-and-effect relationship has been proven, a point upon which University of Colorado researcher Michael Chonchol agrees. A clinical trial comparing the effects of fructose to other kinds of sugars is needed, he told Reuters.

Source: http://www.cbsnews.com

Do you have high blood pressure or at risk to develop high blood pressure? If so do not be discouraged, there are ways of controlling and lowering your blood pressure without medication. Simple lifestyle habits are the most common causes for high blood pressure and easily helped.

Keep in mind that sometimes everything you try may not work. You might have to have the help of medication along with your healthier lifestyle. Talk with your doctor first. They will be able to assist you with the best option for your lifestyle.

The first thing you can do is achieve a healthy weight if you aren’t already. Being overweight is a great risk for developing high blood pressure. You can avoid this by watching your diet and reaching your healthy weight.

If you are unsure of what your healthy weight should be, you should talk to your doctor. You can even find a site online that lets you calculate your BMI (body mass index) and this will tell you what your healthy weight is.

Exercising should be a normal part of your lifestyle. Not everyone enjoys exercising and even if you are one of those people, you can still add it to your every day routine. Only thirty minutes a day of exercise will greatly decrease your risk of high blood pressure.

If you cannot set aside thirty minutes at one time, do ten minutes at a time. This is just as effective and you can get thirty minutes in your day quicker and easier than you thought. You can walk or run or whatever you like.

Your diet plays a major role in your blood pressure levels as well. A high intake of salt and sodium can greatly increase your risks. Try to limit yourself on salt and sodium intake and have your doctor advise you on the recommended amount according to your blood pressure levels.

Using herbs and spices in place of salt is a great way to reduce your salt intake. When you go out to eat somewhere, suggest ‘no salt’ or ask if they add salt so you know if you should or not. Many people consume tons more salt than they really should and do not even know it.

Stress plays a big role in high blood pressure and unfortunately many people suffer from stress. The best way to help your own is by finding a relaxation technique that works best for you. Try meditating, or something that has always relaxed you before. Let the stress of the day leave you and enjoy your stress free time. Take as long as you want to do this.

While trying to change your lifestyle habits, try to keep a record as well. Grab a notebook or journal and write down what you did and check your blood pressure often. Note if it is making a difference or staying the same.

If lifestyle changes do not help as much as you would like, you might consider talking with your doctor about taking medication. Sometimes lifestyle changes alone aren’t as effective unless used with medication. Talk with your doctor about any concerns you might have and they can help decide what is best for you.

Did you know that even babies can develop high blood pressure? Many might think of this as uncommon but it isn’t. When babies have high blood pressure it is usually because they are premature or have kidney or heart problems. When an older child has high blood pressure it is usually a result of their family history.

As you might have noticed today, there is an increase in obesity in children. This also increases their blood pressure putting them at health risks. A great way to prevent this is to have your child’s blood pressure checked often as they grow older.

More ways to help are watching your child’s diet and making sure they get plenty of exercise. Some kids are not as active today what with the video games and all. Try to get your child involved in regular activities from the start. It will benefit their health as well as their self esteem later down the road.

Just like adults, you can easily help control your child’s blood pressure. Watch their diet. Be sure they are getting the right nutrition and limit their salt intake. Get them eating vegetables and fresh fruits. While many children do not like vegetables, there are many ways to overcome this. You can spice up a recipe that involves vegetables.

Physical activity is the key to any healthy lifestyle. Getting your child involved in physical activity when young will help ensure they stay active and healthy as they age. Involve them in sports of their choosing and take walks with them. You can both benefit from this.

If your family has a history of high blood pressure, be sure your child gets routine check ups. This will help ensure they do not develop high blood pressure and if they do, you can start controlling it. Remember stress can raise blood pressure and while some kids shouldn’t be stressed, they are.

Children deal with stress just like adults, just in different ways. Talk with your child and stay active in their life and what goes on. You want them to have a happy healthy life and you can help them achieve that goal.

If you are unable to control your child’s blood pressure through their diet and exercise, you might have to turn to medication. Talk with your doctor and let them know what you have already tried. Sometimes this is not enough alone, but with medication, can help control it.

Try to exercise with your child every day. Exercising alone sometimes is harder for children and adults alike. You can get involved with your child this way and it will benefit you both.

Talk with your teenager about smoking and drinking. These both cause high blood pressure and once they know the risks they are less likely to try them. Do not think your child is invisible from developing any health problems along with high blood pressure.

Remember that blood pressure increases with age until you are around fifty. If you get a head start on watching yours and your child’s at an early age, you will both benefit very well in the end.

New blood pressure approach urged

People with occasionally high blood pressure are more at risk of stroke than those with consistently high readings, research suggests.

Current guidelines focus on measuring average blood pressure levels to spot and prevent the chance of a stroke.

But research suggests doctors should no longer ignore variation in test results and give drugs that produce the most steady blood pressure levels.

The Stroke Association called for national guidelines to be overhauled.

Emma Wilkinson
Health reporter, BBC News

Story from BBC NEWS:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/1/hi/health/8562830.stm

Do you realize by taking control of your blood pressure you can also take control of your health? Who doesn’t want to have a healthy and long life? Taking care of your body can help ensure you get to endure that long healthy lifestyle you want.

You should be receiving regular blood pressure checks at your regular doctor visits. If you want to check it more often than you go to the doctor, you can purchase a home device that lets you monitor your blood pressure. There are different kinds to choose from.

Two of those are the aneroid and digital monitor. There are ups and downs to both monitors so you want to choose which one is best for you. The aneroid monitor uses a pointer to let you read your blood pressure. The digital monitor displays your reading on a screen which makes it easier to read.

The aneroid monitor is cheaper than the digital but requires more work from you. Check them out and even discuss with your doctor which one might be better for you. Once you purchase it, have your doctor show you how to effectively use it.

Among taking your own blood pressure readings, you can double check your lifestyle habits. Are you on a healthy diet? Eating healthy will help keep your blood pressure low and normal. Cut back on salt and sodium if you can’t get rid of it altogether. Opt for seasonings instead.

Introduce more vegetables and fresh fruits into your diet. Once you become used to eating certain foods, it will be easier to do it every day. Before you know it you will be in the habit of eating healthy foods and won’t think twice before doing so.

If you use tobacco or drink excessive amounts of alcohol try to cut back or refrain completely. These will raise your blood pressure putting you at more risk for a stroke or heart disease.

If you cannot quit these on your own there are plenty of resources and medications to help you. Talk with your doctor about the best way to go about quitting.

Would you consider yourself at a healthy weight or overweight? Overweight people are more prone to developing high blood pressure and if this is your case, try to lose at least ten pounds. You should see results in your blood pressure as well as the way you feel.

If you are not already regularly physically active, try to do at least thirty minutes of physical activity or exercise every day. This will help lower your blood pressure as well as make you feel a whole lot better.

If you find yourself lacking motivation to do some of these things, talk with a friend or relative that could buddy up with you. Having someone to exercise with or take on a challenge such as quitting smoking or drinking can help drastically.

Having high blood pressure puts your health at risk and that alone should be motivation but to some it isn’t. Do not be discouraged, there are many ways to help lower your blood pressure.

If these lifestyle changes do not help, consider medication. There are many different kinds of blood pressure medications and sometimes they need to be combined with a healthy lifestyle to work more effectively.

If you have questions or concerns about your blood pressure talk with your doctor. Let them know what you want and they can help find the way that is best for you to control or maintain your blood pressure letting you control your health as well.

There is no other gift greater than the gift of health. It is rightly said that health is wealth.We should aspire to develop all round physical, mental and spiritual health. Imbalance or improper functioning of the physical or mental bodies results in serious repercussions on the well being of a person, which would necessitate medical attention.

Blood Pressure

Blood pressure is one among the various diseases that affect the human body. The medical term for blood pressure is hypertension. Blood pressure is characterized by abnormal pressure levels in the arteries. The blood pressure in a healthy, normal person is 90/60mmhg. When the pressure is lower than the normal, it interferes with the well being of a person. When the pressure increases, it causes damage to the heart and sometimes proves fatal. Hypertension is usually caused due to excess stress, strain, and emotional disturbances. In some cases, arterial problems, disturbed kidney function and malfunctioning of the endocrine gland cause hypertension. The usual symptoms of the disease are dizziness, sound in the ears, headaches and dull vision.

How Yoga Helps

In order to prevent this disease, yogic practices should be incorporated into our daily routine. Yoga helps to combats stress and saturates the mind with tranquility.. However, yoga is not the only cure for hypertension, medical advice is necessary. The Yoga asanas help in bringing about a balance in the autonomous nervous system, a center that controls stress. Yoga helps in regulating the blood pressure by stabilizing the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous system.
Sedentary lifestyles are the reason for high blood pressure. Physical activity and ability to stay active helps to reduce the risk of blood pressure. Physical activity makes the heart stronger. Exercise helps to improve the condition of the heart, by making it pump more blood efficiently.

High blood pressure is caused due to high levels of stress. It is purely a mental condition. The most effective way to handle stress is to change your mental attitude towards the problems that trouble you. To initiate change in thought patterns requires mental strength. This strength can be gained through pranayama.

Hypertension affects the internal organs like heart, lungs, liver and kidneys. Practice of asanas and pranayama helps to reduce the damage caused by hypertension. During asana practice, the movements are static; hence, it requires less blood and oxygen to assume a posture. This poses less strain, keeping the muscles relaxed. The circulation of blood is improved. Yoga helps in oxygenating the blood, enabling fresh nutrients to all the vessels and capillaries in the blood. When blood circulation is improved, the brain absorbs more oxygen and this helps one to be alert, enhances concentration skills and improves mood swings. When stress is reduced, the body’s immune system gets a boost, that also effectively enhances cognitive abilities.

In order to prevent this disease, yogic practices should be incorporated into our daily routine. Yoga helps to combat stress and saturates the mind with tranquility. However, yoga is not the only cure for hypertension; medical advice is also necessary. The Yoga asanas help in bringing about a balance in the autonomous nervous system, a center that controls stress. Yoga helps in regulating the blood pressure by stabilizing the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous system.

Sedentary lifestyles are the reason for high blood pressure. Physical activity and ability to stay active helps to reduce the risk of blood pressure. Physical activity makes the heart stronger. Exercise helps to improve the condition of the heart, by making it pump more blood efficiently.

High blood pressure is caused due to high levels of stress. It is purely a mental condition. The most effective way to handle stress is to change your mental attitude towards the problems that trouble you. To initiate change in thought patterns requires mental strength. This strength can be gained through pranayama.

Hypertension affects the internal organs like heart, lungs, liver and kidneys. Practice of asanas and pranayama helps to reduce the damage caused by hypertension. During asana practice, the movements are static; hence, it requires less blood and oxygen to assume a posture. This poses less strain, keeping the muscles relaxed. The circulation of blood is improved. When blood circulation is improved, the brain absorbs more oxygen and this helps one to be alert, enhances concentration skills and improves mood swings. When stress is reduced, the body’s immune system gets a boost that also effectively enhances cognitive abilities.

Physiological benefits of yoga

•    Sleep pattern is improved.
•    Yoga normalizes weight.
•    Energy levels increase
•    Immunity increases
•    Pulse rate decreases
•    Blood pressure decreases

Psychological benefits of yoga

•    Concentration is improved
•    Attention focus is improved
•    Memory is enhanced
•    Mood swings get stable
•    Social skills improve
•    Poise and steadiness grow

Yogic Postures

An Insight ??Yoga poses requires one to study each pose and execute them slowly with balance and concentration. Asanas work on all the systems of the body, also making the spine and joints supple. It tones up the muscles, glands and internal organs. Yoga asanas must be executed with proper breathing. Undoubtedly, yoga contributes to spiritual growth and improves the quality of life. Apart from increased flexibility in the muscles, chronic health conditions are treated and cured through the practice of yoga. Inner peace ensues after the practice of asana and pranayama and this enables the practitioner to tread life with purpose and direction. ???A peek into select poses.

Camel pose??Steps

1.    Sit on your heels.
2.    Inhale and bend the back to touch the ankles with the hands. The back must be arched.
3.    Hold this position for few breaths and exhale while coming back to the original position.Relax.

Knees squeeze

Steps

1.    Lie on your back.
2.    Lift your right knee and bring it close to your chest. Use your arms to support the knee against the chest.
3.    The left leg should be kept straight.
4.    Bring the right knee to the original position and relax.
5.    Repeat the same with the other leg.

Corpse pose

Steps

1.    Lie flat on your back.
2.    Close your eyes.
3.    Be aware of the body parts and turn your attention to them.
4.    Relax the body parts at will from toes to head. Relaxation has to be induced.
5.    Mind should be made free from all disturbing thoughts.
6.    When the posture is executed perfectly, peace and calmness saturates the being.

Nadi shodhana- Breathing Exercise

This practice is also called alternate nostril breathing. Practice of Nadi Shodhana helps to calm the mind of its disturbances and makes it conducive for meditation. Nadis are the carriers of prana to the different parts of the body. There are 72,000 nadis in the human body. Pranayama cleanses these channels and the body is energized with the flow of pranayama.

Steps

1.    Sit in a comfortable position and relax all the body parts.
2.    Close your eyes.
3.    Close your left nostril with your thumb and inhale slowly. Exhale the breath through the right nostril. This constitutes one part of the breathing.
4.    Alternate the breath to the right nostril, i.e, inhale through the right nostril by closing the left nostril. Then, exhale through the left nostril.
Pranayama should be followed by meditation.

Meditation

Meditation helps to be in touch with the inner self.

Steps

1.    Just close your eyes and focus your attention on the point between the eyebrows.
2.    One can chant ‘Om’ for a few minutes until a peaceful feeling touches you. Fill the mind with faith in the divine that always protects and directs your being.

The Last Word

Yogic Practice is an exercise in self-discipline. ‘Discipline’ is best explained by this quotation, written by an author who prefers anonymity, ” Discipline is, to do the things you don’t want to do, when you know you need to do them.”

Asanas are simple to practice, which is followed by pranayama and meditation. Yogis say that when breath is controlled and becomes rhythmic, one can enjoy the gift of health. The body is made of vital current or prana. The prana is also called the life force. The body is sustained by the flow of prana into all the body parts. When one does breathing exercises, or pranayama, the prana is regulated and the body is suffused with increased energy level. The prana currents help to cure diseases and set in healing vibrations. This enables the body to heal itself.

Finally, bear in mind that asanas should be practiced with ease, devoid of any tension. One must be conscious of the body movements during practice. The relaxed movements induce calmness and peace. Yoga Bhashya states, ‘ The posture becomes perfect when the effort of achieving it vanishes.’

Reference: Submitted by : Mrs.Uma, Edited by : Mrs. Savitha http://www.medindia.net