January 2006 Newsletter

Hypertension or High Blood Pressure
Dr. James Forsythe recommends essential herbs and supplements for treating high blood pressure.

by Lisa Marie Wark*

The statistics for Americans and heart disease are alarming. Every 34 seconds, a person in the United States dies from cardiovascular disease, accounting for 42 percent of all mortalities, according to the American Heart Association (AHA). Heart disease is the No. 1 killer in this nation, responsible for more deaths than the next top five fatalities combined. And despite new medical advances and continual education on the causes, the mortality numbers are not dropping.

Dr. James Forsythe is a world renowned physician and both the medical director and owner of the Century Wellness Clinic. He says the future of treating heart disease is promising. “Understanding the cause of heart disease and how to prevent it can greatly cut risk factors and give you control of your heart health.” Understanding the cause of heart disease and how to prevent it can greatly cut risk factors and give you control of your heart health.

Most people can adopt simple lifestyle changes to prevent hypertension.
Dr. Forsythe recommends the following lifestyle changes:

Have your blood pressure checked regularly.
Eat nutritious foods, including whole grains and fresh fruits and vegetables.
If your doctor has prescribed medication to help lower your blood pressure, take it as directed.
Maintain your ideal body weight.
Exercise regularly.
Stop smoking.
Manage stress through relaxation techniques, exercise and development of positive attitude.
Cut down on added salt and avoid high sodium foods such as chips, processed meats, fast food, cured or smoked products and prepared foods.
Limit your daily cholesterol intake to no more than 100 mg per 1000 calories of food.
Restrict saturated fat to no more than 10 percent of daily calories.
If you dine out frequently, think carefully about your food choices.
French and Mexican food tends to be high in fat; Chinese food often is high in sodium. Always look for fresh ingredients cooked lightly with little sauce. When reading food labels, beware of the following ingredients, which are other terms for sodium: sodium chloride, salt, MSG, some antacids, soy sauce, baking soda, monosodium, teriyaki sauce, baking powder, Na (chemical symbol for Sodium).

Diet. A diet with reduced saturated fat and abundant in whole fruits, vegetables, and low-fat dietary foods can significantly lower blood pressure. In conjunction with other lifestyle choices (regular exercise, avoiding tobacco, limiting alcohol),
A diet low in fat and abundant in whole fruits, vegetables, and low-fat dietary foods can help weight management and decrease risk of other health problems. In addition, more research is showing the importance of replacing good fats with bad fats, rather than trying to eliminate fat altogether. This may help explain why the Mediterranean diet—which is high in complex carbs and fat (mainly monounsaturated fat from olive oil) and includes moderate wine intake— has been shown to reduce heart disease.

Exercise. Diet is only one component of your blood pressure reduction
strategy. Since excess body fat is a primary risk factor in hypertension,
it is critical to maintain a healthy weight. The importance of regular exercise cannot be overemphasized. In addition to lowering blood pressure by reducing weight, exercise helps relax the muscles of your blood vessel walls, allowing them to expand. It also reduces the thickness of your blood.



	James W. Forsythe, M.D., H.M.D.		Hypertension or High Blood Pressure Dr. James Forsythe recommends essential herbs and supplements for treating high blood pressure. by Lisa Marie Wark* The statistics for Americans and heart disease are alarming. Every 34 seconds, a person in the United States dies from cardiovascular disease, accounting for 42 percent of all mortalities, according to the American Heart Association (AHA). Heart disease is the No. 1 killer in this nation, responsible for more deaths than the next top five fatalities combined. And despite new medical advances and continual education on the causes, the mortality numbers are not dropping. Dr. James Forsythe is a world renowned physician and both the medical director and owner of the Century Wellness Clinic. He says the future of treating heart disease is promising. “Understanding the cause of heart disease and how to prevent it can greatly cut risk factors and give you control of your heart health.” Understanding the cause of heart disease and how to prevent it can greatly cut risk factors and give you control of your heart health.

	What is Hypertension?		Hypertension occurs when arterioles, small blood vessels that branch off from the arteries, become constricted making it difficult for blood to pass through them. As a result, blood pressure rises causing your heart to work harder. If your blood pressure at rest stays at 140/90 or more, you may have hypertension. Here are the categories to consider when evaluating blood pressure: Normal - Less than 120/80 Prehypertension - 120/80 to 139/89 High - 140/90 or more Even slight elevations above the optimal level of less than 12080 are unhealthy, but the higher the blood pressure is above normal, the greater the risk. According to a report released in The New England Journal of Medicine (August 2001), of 16,000 adults over the age of 25 surveyed, 27 percent had blood pressure of at least 140/90, which is considered high, and more than one-third of them were unaware of their condition. It has been estimated that more than 60 million Americans have hypertension, including 55 percent of all Americans between the ages of 65 and 74. In the same age group, 72 percent of all African Americans have hypertension. If you have hypertension, the Century Wellness Clinic’s medical staff can help you manage the condition effectively. Unfortunately, hypertension usually presents no clear symptoms. Dr. Forsythe has seen patients with slight symptoms but the safest bet to find out if you have hypertension is to see a medical professional. “Some people may experience headaches or dizziness in the morning but, for most, there are no symptoms at all. The easiest and most reliable way to find out if you have hypertension is to have your blood pressure checked regularly.”

	Risk Factors		Factors that may put you at greater risk for high blood pressure: • The standard American diet contributes to the high rate of hypertension, because it is high in sodium, refined sugar and starches, and undesirable fats. High blood pressure is almost exclusively found in societies consuming refined, highly processed foods. Interestingly, vegetarians, who normally eat a low-fat, low-sodium diet, have a profoundly lower incidence of hypertension than non-vegetarians. • Fat imbalance. The typical Western diet contains high levels of saturated fat, too much of omega-6 fatty acids from common vegetable oils (corn, sunflower, safflower), and too little of omega-3 fatty acids (from wild fish, range-fed livestock, flaxseed oil, fish oil). Omega-3 fatty acids produce local tissue hormones (prostaglandins) in arteries that allow arterial smooth muscle to relax, thereby reducing blood pressure. Omega 3s also reduce the tendency of blood platelets to clump together and this reduces blood-clotting tendency. • Nutritional deficiencies. People whose diets are low in potassium, magnesium, calcium, fiber, and vitamin C are at greater risk of hypertension. • Sodium. The adverse effects of low potassium are compounded by high sodium intake. Imbalance in the ratio of sodium to potassium intake can contribute to many disorders, including hypertension. • Obesity. Between the ages of 20 and 44, high blood pressure is almost six times more common among overweight people than people who are a healthy weight. • Smoking. Chronic smoking decreases blood flow to the brain, increasing the risk of stroke among smokers with hypertension. Smokeless tobacco also contributes to high blood pressure. • Alcohol. Heavy drinking is another contributor to high blood pressure. Alcohol intake should not exceed one drink per day for women and two drinks for men. • Stress. When you experience continuing stress, your body releases an adrenal hormone called cortisol. Cortisol causes an increase in blood pressure, and if you experience long-term stress, this can cause your blood pressure to remain high. Stress can be a major contributing factor to high blood pressure. Relaxation techniques such as yoga, deep breathing, prayer, and meditation may help control stress levels. • Atherosclerosis. A buildup of fatty plaque deposits along arteries’ interior lining can narrow the arteries, leading to a rise in blood pressure. The increased resistance means the heart has to work harder to pump blood through the body, placing it under incessant strain. • High sugar intake. Syndrome X is a term coined at Stanford University to describe a prediabetic state characterized by high levels of insulin in the blood. It is induced by eating a diet high in refined sugar and starches. One of the hallmarks of Syndrome X is hypertension. Other triggers for hypertension include the following: Have a history of hypertension in your family. Have a pre-existing condition such as diabetes or kidney disease. Are a male. Are of African-American descent. Are over 35 years of age. Environmental factors (such as heavy metal toxicity). Are taking oral contraceptives. Caffeine intake. Lead a sedentary lifestyle. Pharmaceutical blood pressure medicines may be needed in cases of severe hypertension. Dr. Forsythe explains, “The implications of untreated high blood pressure are too serious to go untreated. For treatment of any serious health condition such as hypertension, one should always consult a qualified healthcare professional. In cases of borderline to moderate hypertension, however, diet, lifestyle, and well-chosen nutritional and botanical supplements can address the causes instead of merely masking the symptoms or ignoring the underlying problem.” So if your blood pressure isn’t dangerously high, suggest to your doctor that you’d like to try lifestyle changes before taking a drug. You may discover that by making smart choices, you can control your own blood pressure. You’ll have yet more proof that—to a great degree—you are truly in charge of your own health.

	Hypertension Prevention		Most people can adopt simple lifestyle changes to prevent hypertension. Dr. Forsythe recommends the following lifestyle changes: Have your blood pressure checked regularly. Eat nutritious foods, including whole grains and fresh fruits and vegetables. If your doctor has prescribed medication to help lower your blood pressure, take it as directed. Maintain your ideal body weight. Exercise regularly. Stop smoking. Manage stress through relaxation techniques, exercise and development of positive attitude. Cut down on added salt and avoid high sodium foods such as chips, processed meats, fast food, cured or smoked products and prepared foods. Limit your daily cholesterol intake to no more than 100 mg per 1000 calories of food. Restrict saturated fat to no more than 10 percent of daily calories. If you dine out frequently, think carefully about your food choices. French and Mexican food tends to be high in fat; Chinese food often is high in sodium. Always look for fresh ingredients cooked lightly with little sauce. When reading food labels, beware of the following ingredients, which are other terms for sodium: sodium chloride, salt, MSG, some antacids, soy sauce, baking soda, monosodium, teriyaki sauce, baking powder, Na (chemical symbol for Sodium).

	Treating Hypertension Using Natural Therapies		Pharmaceutical blood pressure medication may be necessary in cases of severe hypertension to initially lower blood pressure. But, Dr. Forsythe says there is promising news. “The good news is that most cases of hypertension are in the borderline-to-moderate range and can be brought under control with lifestyle improvements. Many nondrug therapies (diet, exercise, relaxation therapies) are more effective than drugs in cases of borderline to mild hypertension. It is imperative, however, that a person with hypertension be monitored closely by a health professional to ensure that chosen interventions are working effectively.”

	Dr. Forsythe's High Blood Pressure Prevention Formula		Diet. A diet with reduced saturated fat and abundant in whole fruits, vegetables, and low-fat dietary foods can significantly lower blood pressure. In conjunction with other lifestyle choices (regular exercise, avoiding tobacco, limiting alcohol), A diet low in fat and abundant in whole fruits, vegetables, and low-fat dietary foods can help weight management and decrease risk of other health problems. In addition, more research is showing the importance of replacing good fats with bad fats, rather than trying to eliminate fat altogether. This may help explain why the Mediterranean diet—which is high in complex carbs and fat (mainly monounsaturated fat from olive oil) and includes moderate wine intake— has been shown to reduce heart disease. Exercise. Diet is only one component of your blood pressure reduction strategy. Since excess body fat is a primary risk factor in hypertension, it is critical to maintain a healthy weight. The importance of regular exercise cannot be overemphasized. In addition to lowering blood pressure by reducing weight, exercise helps relax the muscles of your blood vessel walls, allowing them to expand. It also reduces the thickness of your blood.

	Essential Nutrients and Herbs		What you eat has a powerful influence on your blood pressure—as well as almost every other aspect of your health. Population studies confirm that certain nutrients promote healthy blood pressure, and certain nutritional deficiencies can contribute to hypertension. POTASSIUM. The most well-known dietary don’t for people with hypertension is sodium, but recent research suggests that for most people, sodium-to-potassium intake ratio is more significant than sodium alone. We should consume about five times more potassium than sodium, but the typical American diet includes only half as much potassium as sodium. By eating more potassium-rich foods, you can reverse the ratio and promote healthy blood pressure. If you are taking potassium sparing diuretics, do not make dramatic increases in potassium consumption without consulting your doctor. MAGNESIUM is another vital nutrient for blood pressure. Magnesium deficiency has been shown to correlate with a number of chronic cardiovascular diseases, including hypertension. Some studies have shown that magnesium supplementation—typically 300 to 500mg per day—can reduce blood pressure Magnesium-rich foods include dark green leafy vegetables, nuts (especially almonds, cashews, and pecans), rice, bananas, potatoes, wheat germ, kidney and lima beans, peas, soy products, molasses, oats, bran, and fish. CALCIUM counts, too, to a degree. Many people with hypertension have a lower daily calcium intake than individuals with healthy blood pressure. People with high blood pressure are advised to eat more calcium-rich foods, such as nuts, salmon, sardines, low-fat dairy foods, watercress, kale, broccoli, turnip greens, collard greens, and mustard greens. DRINK WATER. Drinking pure water at room temperature or warmer throughout the day can be a very effective tool in controlling blood pressure. GARLIC has shown beneficial cardiovascular effects in a majority of trials, and it may help reduce cholesterol, as well as blood pressure. FISH OIL helps reduce blood pressure by providing the raw materials for cells to produce local hormones (prostaglandins) that do not promote constriction of arterial smooth muscle. FLAXSEED OIL increases elasticity and function of arteries. Decreased elasticity increases cardiovascular risk and blood pressure. FIBER (from sources like whole fruits, vegetables, and beans) in the diet may also help reduce blood pressure. VITAMIN C supplementation has had a modest blood pressure-lowering effect in people with mild hypertension HAWTHORN (Crataegus species) berries and flowering tops can help relax arterial smooth muscle and reduce blood pressure. If you are taking drugs that increase heart contractile force, do not use hawthorn except under the supervision of a healthcare provider, because hawthorn can increase the effect of the drugs. COENZYME Q10, at a dose of 100 mg per day, shows promise for treating hypertension. Coenzyme Q10 is a nutrient that naturally occurs in our bodies. When it comes to dosage, each individual has different needs. Please call the Century Wellness Clinic during regular business hours 775-827-0707 or e-mail us questions by clicking here regarding your specific needs.

			The information contained in this Health Report is intended for education purposes only. It is intended to complement—not replace—the advice provided by healthcare providers.

	*Lisa Marie Wark is currently a free lance writer and is a business development consultant with a concentration in medical spas and alternative clinics. Currently she is President of MedSpas, a business development firm that provides physicians the necessary business tools to help them build or expand their practices into medical spa facilities. Wark was formerly an anchor and financial reporter for ON24 Financial News in San Francisco. In 2001, she was promoted to the main female anchor of three financial news broadcasts, covering a broad range of financial sectors and industries. Wark's hard work and persistence helped her land interviews with top executives from Fortune 500 companies that included the likes of Steve Forbes, former Republican Presidential candidate and Publisher of Forbes Magazine, Robert L. Crandall former American Airlines CEO who pioneered the first frequent flier mileage program AAdvantage, and Marc Andreesen, an Internet pioneer and creator of the Netscape browser.
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