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The benefits of beetroot on high blood pressure are staggering! They reached top of the list in the high blood pressure foods. If you drink 500ml of beetroot juice every day, it can significantly reduce your blood pressure, according to UK researchers.

When healthy volunteers drank the juice their blood pressure dropped within the hour. What was causing this effect? Nitrates. These nitrates are also present in other green, leafy vegetables that you are encouraged to eat in your nutrient rich diets.

Professor Amrita Ahluwalia of the William Harvey Research Institute at Barts and the London School of Medicine was leading the research, along with Professor Ben Benjamin of the Peninsula Medical School.

How does the nitrate reduce high blood pressure?
When the beetroot is chewed, saliva mixes with it along with bacteria from off the tongue. It is then converted into nitrite. Then we have another chemical reaction when it reaches the stomach. Because the stomach has an acidic environment, another chemical reaction occurs, the nitrite in the saliva turns to nitric oxide or will re-enter the circulation again as nitrite.

Observation showed that the peak time of reduced blood pressure correlated with the peak levels of nitrite in the circulation of those who swallowed their saliva and that was significant because the volunteers who were asked not to swallow during, or for a further 3 hours after chewing the beetroot, did not experience such results.

The Benefits of Beetroot Still Occur Hours Later
The peak drop in blood pressure happened 3 – 4 hours after chewing and swallowing but it went on dropping gradually for up to 24 hours. The leading researcher, Professor Amrita Ahluwalia said: “Our research suggests that drinking beetroot juice, or consuming other nitrate-rich vegetables, might be a simple way to maintain a healthy cardiovascular system, and might also be an additional approach that one could take in the modern day battle against rising blood pressure.”

We can wait around for future research to see whether or not these results favour with high blood pressure sufferers or we can try this experiment at home. Be cautious if you are in danger of hypercalemia. If not, start a diet packed with beetroot.

What! You can`t stand beetroot at the best of times? News is, you don`t have to drink 500mls of beetroot juice every day, but can use other vasodilating fruits and vegetables, use a juicer, and make up different juice cocktails that are not only effective but delicious and refreshing.

Source: http://www.highbloodpressureinfo.org

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

Do you want to take control of your blood pressure? If so, exercise may be the key for you to do just that. Many people may not realize exercise can help you control your blood pressure. Fortunately, it is all rather simple.

As you probably know, you are more prone to high blood pressure as you age. Unfortunately, we all age and this cannot be helped. But controlling your blood pressure can be helped.

By exercising you can prevent risks of high blood pressure which can cause stroke and kidney disease. If you already have high blood pressure, exercising can help you get it under control.

As you exercise your heart gets stronger. When your heart is stronger it can pump more blood more easily causing less pressure on your arteries. While exercise may not work for everyone you can easily lower your blood pressure by around ten millimeters.

Even if you do not have high blood pressure, you can take these precautions to prevent from getting it. Along with controlling your blood pressure you can lose weight or maintain your desired weight which also affects your blood pressure.

Overweight people are prone to having high blood pressure and an increased risk of stroke or kidney or heart diseases. If this is you, get moving and start exercising! This doesn’t mean you have to overdo yourself, take it slow at first and work your way up. You will start feeling better as you continue a regular routine.

It is suggested to do at least thirty minutes of exercise a day if possible. Thirty minutes can be hard to do for some people, mainly because they can’t find the time. If this is the case, you can do short bursts of exercise. You could exercise for ten minutes at a time throughout the day. At the end of the day you’ve done thirty minutes.

Like with starting any exercise routine, you will want to talk with your doctor first. There are certain things you will have to have your doctor’s okay for. If you are a man over forty or a woman over fifty it might be better to talk with your doctor first.

Smoking increases blood pressure as well as makes it hard for some people to exercise. Being overweight has an effect on everything and you definitely want to consult your doctor before starting an exercise program.

Having a chronic health condition or high cholesterol and even high blood pressure can put you at risk when exercising. Be sure to talk to your doctor first. If you do not visit the doctor regularly, do so now. It is better to know exactly what health you are in before doing any strenuous activity or even exercising.

Always warm up before starting an exercise routine. Begin slowly so you can slowly build the intensity. Be sure to continuously breathe throughout your routine. Holding your breath can cause your blood pressure to increase and the key of exercising to help control or lower your blood pressure.

If you experience any discomforts or pain while exercising notify your doctor immediately. It is better to take full precaution even if it ends up being something little. Once you start your exercise program, you want to track your progress.

A great way to do this is if you can’t see your doctor regularly; purchase a home blood pressure monitoring device. You want to check your pressure before you begin and when you are finished. You want to make sure it’s working and how much it’s working.

By exercising you are lowering your chances of getting high blood pressure and if you already have it, you are helping to control it. This means you are lessening your risks of strokes or heart diseases. It is never too late to start, no matter your age, gender, or ethnicity. Talk with your doctor today about an exercise program that is right for you. Your body will thank you in the end.

High blood pressure is a very serious illness, and over half of the people who suffer from high blood pressure or Hypertension, as it is usually called, do not even know they have it.

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