Lower Your Blood Pressure With 4 Simple Dietary Interventions

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With 1 in 3 Americans living with high blood pressure, the condition can hardly be ignored. Ask any primary care physicians about the percentage of patients in their practice with a diagnosis of hypertension. They will tell you that the vast majority of their patient population has this pervasive and potentially devastating health condition. As one of the most significant risk factors for heart disease, stroke, and kidney failure, this largely preventable diet- and lifestyle-driven condition deserves attention.

Most people are unaware that drug therapy is not the only way to lower blood pressure. In fact, evidence suggests multiple natural ways to keep your blood pressure in check and within the normal range.

1. Say No to Trans and Hydrogenated Fats

One of the first steps to take toward normalizing your blood pressure is to remove trans and hydrogenated fats from your diet. These fats are known to increase your risk of cholesterol and plaque buildup in your arteries. They are found in most processed foods like lunch meats, margarine, and foods made with hydrogenated vegetable shortening.