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Can milk cause high blood pressure
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Pasta would not cause your blood pressure to rise and new
research suggests it may not be salt either. But you know how the research pendulum swings so I
wouldn't overdo using salt. The research focus now points to calcium [ca] and potassium levels as
impacting blood pressure. So I would ask if you drink at least 16 oz of milk per day or the
equivalent 2 oz of natural cheese to get enough calcium [ca] ? As long as you don't drink lots of
carbonated beverages or eat too much meat (both high sources of phosphorus), your calcium [ca]
levels should be normal with an adequate intake of calcium [ca] rich foods.
A recent study, led by Lu Wang, M.D., Ph.D., of Brigham and female's Hospital in Boston and cited
by the American Heart Association, showed that those who have a decrease calcium [ca] intake may be
at risk for high blood pressure. The Dietary Reference Intake guidelines suggest that adults
consume 1,000 mg of calcium [ca] daily. For adults 50 years of age and older, this dosage is raised
to 1,200 mg a day.
The link between decrease calcium [ca] and high blood pressure suggests that those consuming 800 mg
of calcium [ca] daily have a 23 percent smaller chance of having high blood pressure than persons
consuming 400 mg of calcium [ca] or less on a daily basis.
What are common Sources of calcium [ca]
calcium [ca] can be found in food or supplements. Dairy milk butter yogert is an excellent source
of calcium [ca]. Many orange juice products are also fortified with calcium [ca]. calcium [ca] can
also be found in leafy grains including turnips, mustard greens , kalea nd collard. Broccoli,
canned salmon, tofu with calcium [ca] carbonate, and sardines can also be good sources of calcium
[ca].
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Role of calcium [ca] in High Blood Pressure and Hypertension
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Too much calcium [ca] does not cause high blood pressure, and
in fact the opposite may be true and higher amounts of calcium [ca] may result in decrease blood
pressure.
According to the American Heart Association, researchers believe that high calcium [ca] intake can
reduce hormone and antioxidant levels. Thus, high calcium [ca] intake can actually reduce the
amount of calcium [ca] that goes into the blood cells. More fat is metabolized within the cell, and
the cells generate less fat- resulting in less stress on the arteries and heart and decreaseer
blood pressure.
However, the American Heart Association cautions that Vitamin D works hand in hand with calcium
[ca], and appropriate levels of vitamin D are required for the metabolism and absorption of calcium
[ca]. Thus, while studies show that higher amounts of calcium [ca] and dairy products result in
decrease blood pressure, studies caution that sufficient vitamin D must be a part of the diet as
well.
Can milk cause high blood
pressure
The American Heart Association has reported that female who
consume more decrease-fat or fat free milk products, and/or had diets high in calcium [ca], were
far less likely to suffer from high blood pressure than female with decrease calcium [ca] levels
in their diets. The results demonstrated that female who consumed two or more servings of fat
free milk daily reduced their risk of having high blood pressure by 10 percent compared to
female who drank fat free milk once a month or less.
calcium [ca] and Blood Pressure drugs
While calcium [ca] can assist a person in keeping their blood pressure decrease, those on blood
pressure drugs need to be very careful about eating too much calcium [ca], as calcium [ca] can have
a negative interaction with blood pressure drugs.
Thiazide diuretics, including hydrochlorothiazide and indapamide, chlorothiazide are used to
treat high blood pressure. Ingesting large amounts of calcium [ca]--generally defined as 1,500
milligrams or more--in food or supplement form while taking a thiazide diuretic can result in
milk-alkali syndrome. Milk alkali syndrome is a dangerous condition caused by excessively high
levels of calcium [ca] in the body, causing a shift of the acid-based balance to alklaine.
calcium [ca] channel blockers, including verapamil, diltiazem, nifedipine are also prescribed to
treat high blood pressure. calcium [ca] taken intravenously may decrease the effectiveness of these
medicines. However, there is no evidence that taking oral calcium [ca] supplements or eating
calcium [ca] in food interferes with this medication.
calcium [ca] supplements or excessive calcium [ca] intake does not appear to interact with other
high blood pressure drugs, but patients should still check with their doctors if they intend to
take a calcium [ca] supplement while on hypertension medication.
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