People with high blood pressure (hypertension) should be smart in choosing their meal. The two main foods that can affect hypertension is salt or sodium intake and potassium intake.

But there are ways diet can be done for patients with hypertension which is the DASH diet (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension).

The diets was developed in the United States but has been successfully used in nations around the world such as  South Africa.

Just so you know, South Africa in general, and the African population in particular, are vulnerable to hypertension or high blood pressure.

An estimated 24.4 percent of adults in South Africa suffer from hypertension. Consequently, many of which had a stroke and brain damage in this population. Salt intake and high potassium is the main cause.

Whereas the WHO recommends a ratio of sodium to potassium in the diet is 1:1. But in Africa, the consumption of sodium are very high which could reach 8 grams / day (compared with the recommended maximum of 6 grams / day). While in the other hand the consumption of potassium are very low (50-60 mmol / day). This is what causes many people to suffer high blood pressure in South Africa.

Studies conducted by Professor Karen Charlton and his team in 2007 at the University of Cape Town and Medical Research Council in Cape Town, the DASH diet achieved promising results in 80 patients with a mild to moderate hypertension who received antihypertensive medication. Only by changing the six items of food in their diet for eight weeks.

DASH diet has provided scientific evidence that eating lots of fruits, vegetables and whole grains with a low-fat milk or fat-free, can increase potassium, magnesium and calcium intake. While reducing sodium intake to a level acceptable to reduce blood pressure.

Prof. harlton provided bread, margarine, broth, soup mix and a sense amplifier with less sodium or salt content and Maas 500 ml per day (not seasoned sour cream) for the 40 ‘candidates’ for a period of eight weeks.

Another 40 people classified as ‘control subjects’ are given the same diet with normal content of salt and 500 ml of cold sweet drinks for the same period.

After eight weeks, systolic blood pressure an average of 6.2 candidates mm Hg lower than control subjects. Whereas systolic blood pressure and diastolic BP control subjects as measured by ambulatory blood pressure monitoring 24-hour average above 4.5 mm Hg lower than testing participants.

In thegroup participants sodium intake test did not change, whereas participants in the control group increased by almost 1 gram per day.

Nutritional intake increased dramatically. Calcium intake increased almost double, potassium intake was almost 900 mg per day and magnesium intake increased by 84 mg per day in the test group.

Please note that the increased intake of potassium, calcium and magnesium is achieved without the use of mineral supplements.

Prof. Charlton and his team (2007) concluded that their research showed the public health response.

“You can achieve reduction in systolic blood pressure is clinically significant for the treatment of hypertension is low-income communities in South Africa through the manipulation of the seven dietary intake of processed foods,” he said.

This study not only indicates that the poor with few resources can make dietary changes that can increase blood pressure, but the eating habit can be changed by making some adjustments.

Bulimia is a more common eating disorder than anorexia and often develops slightly later in life, from mid to late teens or the early twenties. Studies suggest that between 0.5 per cent and 2 per cent of young women in the UK have bulimia.

There are two main features of bulimia. Individuals regularly binge, which involves eating a large amount of food in private until they feel uncomfortably full. They feel they have little or no control during a binge and tend to eat ‘forbidden’ foods with a high carbohydrate content.

Bingeing is normally followed by intense feelings of guilt and shame. To compensate for the food consumed during a binge, the individual then uses other behaviors, such as vomiting, laxative misuse or excessive exercise. This is often termed as ‘purging’ behavior.

People with bulimia are locked in a regular cycling of bingeing and purging and usually have overwhelming feelings of shame about their eating disorder. The frequency of the cycle varies from one individual to another and there are also wide variations in purging behavior.

Teenagers who have tried unsuccessfully to diet but failed sometimes believe that this cycle of bingeing and purging will help them to lose weight successfully. But studies show people with bulimia are often of normal body weight and if untreated, over time, there tends to be weight gain rather than weight loss. Bulimia is often associated with low self-esteem or a general lack of self-confidence.

However, this cycle has a range of harmful effects on the body. Some of these side-effects will be evident from a fairly early stage in the bulimia. They can include:

• Frequent and major weight changes.
• Stretch marks.
• Sore throat, the erosion of tooth enamel and bad breath caused by excessive vomiting.
• Swollen salivary glands making the face round and puffy.
• Poor skin condition and possible hair loss.
• Irregular menstrual periods or loss or periods.
• Lethargy and tiredness.
• Abdominal pain and bloating.
• Chronic constipation and risk of bowel problems due to laxative abuse.

There are a range of very serious effects for people who continue to suffer with untreated bulimia during a long period of time. Many people with bulimia develop chronic dehydration, caused by vomiting and the use of laxatives. This can lead to low potassium levels, triggering a wide range of symptoms ranging from lethargy and muddled thinking to potentially life-threatening heart and kidney problems. Another serious complication of bulimia is the rupture of the stomach.

Bulimia has a lower mortality rate than anorexia. However, very rare and extreme cases, death can occur due to heart failure.

Fortunately, people with bulimia tend to want to overcome their eating disorders and feel less ambivalent about change than those with anorexia. The difficulty usually lies in seeking help, as people with bulimia often feel profoundly ashamed of their eating habits and worries that if they do seek support, their problem will be dismissed.

However, studies show that people with bulimia respond well to treatment. A form of cognitive behavioural therapy designed for eating disorders, called CBT-E is very effective for people with bulimia.

As a tropical fruit pineapple contains a proteolytic enzyme bromelain, which could help in the digestion of protein. Pineapple also could prevent blood clot formation because of its bromelain content.

Pineapple is one of those foods that would bring pleasure to eat. A good, juicy ripe pineapple can satisfy a sweet craving as well as any chocolate bar. Besides the fact that pineapple is a delicious food, it also has many health benefits.

A cup of fresh pineapple chunks contains 73% of the manganese the body needs for the day. Manganese, a trace mineral, is needed to build bone and connective tissues. A latest study proven that a combination of glucosamine, chondroitin sulfate, and manganese offered significant improvement of symptoms for people with mild to moderate osteoarthritis of the knee.

Nutritional Value:

Pineapple’s nutrients include calcium, potassium, fiber ,and vitamin c It is low in fat and cholesterol. Vitamin c is the body’s primary water soluble antioxidant, against free radicals that attack and damage normal cells. It is also a good source of vitamin B1, vitamin B6, copper and dietary fiber.

Pineapple juice also relives sore throats and bronchitis. However, it should not be used by those with Hemophilia or by those with diseases of the kidneys and liver. It can be useful for heart patients but it seems to reduce the time taken to coagulate the blood which is not good for those with kidney and liver disease.

Pineapples provide an ample supply of vitamin C too, a commonly known antioxidant that protects the body from free radical damage and boosts the immune system. Vitamin C helps build and repair bodily tissue and promotes wound healing. The body uses vitamin C to help metabolize fats and cholesterol, absorb iron, and synthesize amino acids and collagen. Collagen is one of the primary building blocks of skin, cartilage and bones. Vitamin C also decreases the severity of colds and infections.

Pineapple is high in anti-oxidants. A very good source of vitamin C, pineapple offers your body an excellent protection against free-radicals, substances that attack healthy cells. A build up of free-radicals can lead to atherosclerosis and diabetic heart disease, an increase in asthma attacks and an increased risk of developing certain cancers, such as colon cancer. Free-radicals have also been shown to accentuate the problems associated with osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.This fruits if high in fibre content which helps in easy bowel movement.Pineapple helps in curing stomach problems as diarrhoea.It is used in beauty industry to remove warts.

Pineapple has been thought good for heart conditions and indeed should not be used by people with haemophilia or by those with diseases of the kidneys and liver. This is because it seems to reduce the time taken to coagulate the blood – which is why it can be useful for heart patients.

Pineapple is good for your gums: Furthermore, due to its high vitamin C content, pineapples are good for your oral health as well. Vitamin C can reduce your risk of gingivitis and periodontal disease. Besides increasing the ability of connective tissue to repair itself, vitamin C also increases the body’s ability to fight invading bacteria and other toxins that contribute to gum disease. Periodontal disease, which destroys gum tissue and underlying jaw bones, has been linked to heart disease, stroke and type 2 diabetes.

Potassium represents 5% percent of the total mineral content of a human body, even though only about one litre is found in the body at a time. Potassium is found in our bodies both inside and outside cells and is a very important mineral required every day to stay healthy. More than 98% of the body’s potassium is intracellular. The body easily absorbs potassium, but nearly 90% of it is excreted through the kidneys and bowels. Thus, potassium is a natural diuretic and is important for the elimination of body wastes, such as water and sodium.

Potassium is a primary electrolyte, it is a great alkalizer, and important for maintaining pH and water balance.

Benefits of potassium:

1. Along with other minerals such as sodium, chloride and calcium, potassium helps in normal cellular function, such as transmission of nerve impulses, digestion, healthy muscle contractions, proper cardiovascular functioning (heartbeat irregularities are normally a sign of potassium deficiency), and helping the body to convert glucose into glycogen (the body’s stored form of energy).

2. Potassium helps promote healthy cardiovascular health. It is strongly believed that potassium has the ability to pump sodium out of the body’s cells and reduce body fluid.

3. Potassium, along with sodium, helps to regulate blood pressure. Increasing potassium in the diet may protect against hypertension in people who are sensitive to high levels of sodium.

4. Potassium also affects blood vessel tone as well as the way blood vessels react to the flowing hormones, thus affecting pressure within blood vessels.

5. Potassium therapeutically assists in the treatment of alcoholism, acne, alleviating allergies, promoting the early healing of burns.

6. It also helps with problems such as congestive heart failure, chronic fatigue syndrome or kidney stones.

7. Potassium plays a vital role in cellular integrity by regulating the transfer of nutrients into the cell.

8. Potassium also attracts oxygen to tissues, helps correct positioning of vital organs. Potassium deficiency indicates that probably albumin, sugar, sodium, and chlorine are also in short supply or not being properly absorbed.

9. Potassium helps proper functioning of the adrenal glands. It helps support healthy sugar balance in the body.

Deficiency of potassium –

The kidneys excrete excess potassium from the body, and deficiencies are rarely found in people on a normal balanced diet. A deficiency may result in fatigue, cramping legs, muscle weakness, sluggish reflexes, acne, dry skin, mood swings and irregular heartbeat.

A shortage of potassium in body may cause a fatal condition known as hypokalemia, resulting from diarrhea, increased diuresis and vomiting. Hypokalemia can occur in people with a chronic disease or due to aging process. Deficiency symptoms include muscle weakness, ECG abnormalities, decreased reflex response, congestive heart failure, cardiac arrhythmia and respiratory paralysis.

If the fluid and electrolyte balance is not restored, the risk of heart failure increases.

Potassium deficiency increases acid levels in the body, lowers the natural pH balance, causes problems with the formation of connective tissue. Kidney diseases (such as acute renal failure), diabetes can also cause fluctuations in the levels of potassium. Many medications such as diuretics, cortisone, prolonged use of aspirin, and laxatives also cause depletion of potassium.

Dietary sources of potassium:

Eating a variety of foods that contain potassium is the best way to get the required amount. Individuals who eat a balanced diet do not need potassium supplements. Foods, which are rich sources of potassium include turnips, whole grains, molasses, fish, citrus fruit, apple cider vinegar, bananas, avocados, yoghurt, tomatoes, poultry, oranges, apricots, potatoes (especially their skins), leafy green vegetables such as spinach, lettuce; and meat. One large orange will supply one with 250 mg of potassium, one-eighth of a person’s daily need. Dried apricots contain more potassium than fresh apricots.

Steaming of foods helps to retain nutrients that are lost through other cooking techniques such as boiling (loss of about 50% of potassium content). Steaming results in only a 6% loss of potassium.

Recommended Daily Allowance of potassium:

There is no recommended daily allowance (RDA) for potassium, but it is advised to get between 2,000-3,000 mg per day. The range of intake for children is 780 to 1,600 mg per day.

This is not difficult, and most people meet this requirement on their own through a normal diet. In general, nutritionists recommend reducing salt intake and ensuring adequate supply by increasing the amount of fresh fruit and vegetables in the diet.

If one is into bodybuilding, he must increase the potassium intake, since potassium is needed to maintain muscles in good form, and also because potassium is lost from excessive sweating and urine.

Symptoms of high intake of potassium:

Excessive potassium can be toxic and will affect the heart. This is a problem especially when one is suffering from some problem such as kidney failure. Irregular heart beat and muscle fatigue is sign of toxic potassium levels. In healthy people, the kidneys in the urine excrete excess potassium.

Who requires extra potassium?

People who require potassium supplements include:

# women on oral contraceptives,

# chronic alcoholics or drug abusers,

# smokers

# people undergoing stress

# athletes

# people doing strenuous exertion,

# anyone suffering from any degree of mal-absorption syndrome

# people with eating disorders, especially bulimia and anorexia..

Dyshidrosis, also known as Dyshidrotic Eczema, is a chronic skin condition which is characterized by small blisters on the hands and feet. The name “Dyshidrosis” comes from the word “dyshidrotic” which means “bad sweating” which was deemed as the cause. Sometimes it is also known as Pompholyx which means “bubble” in Greek referring to the blisters on the skin. In some cases, Pompholyx refers to hand dyshidrosis. This skin condition is not contagious to others, but it can cause extreme stress and pain to the sufferers. Not to mention the unsightly nature of the condition can cause social anxiety and low self esteem.

Until today, the truly cause of Dyshidrosis is unknown. It is often associated with other skin diseases such as atopic dermatitis, contact dermatitis, bacterial infection or excessive stress. However, there are several probable factors which can aggravate the condition:

- Nickel allergy may be a significant contributing factor to dyshidrosis. Tests have shown that dyshidrosis sufferers who are given a low nickel diet reported having less flare ups.

- Coming into contact with allergens may be the cause.

- Metal toxicity such as copper, mercury and nickel

- Other possible factors include aspirin ingestion, oral contraceptives, cigarette smoking, and implanted metals.

Unfortunately, since dyshidrosis is a type of eczema, the most common treatment for dyshidrosis is topical steroids which can bring about harmful long term effects such as skin thinning. Other methods include the use of Hydrogen Peroxide (35% strength) and Potassium Permanganate solution. Both of these can work to a certain extend but the side effects include significant burning and itching.

Therefore,it is recommended that to treat Dyshidrosis, it is necessary to go back to the basics, that is to strenghten the immune system and eliminating toxins from the body. You can check out the various methods to achieve a strong immune system via feeding the body the right food at EczemaFreeNaturally.com

Having the basics taken care of, here are some of the home remedies you can try to get relief for Dyshidrosis:

- Use emollients frequently to prevent cracking and itching. Avoid to use petroleum jelly as it does not absorb into the skin.

- Try soaking in sea salts or Epsom salts. Some found relief in soaking in white vinegar.

- Avoid harsh shampoos and body wash. Stick with gentle bath oil. If you are having flare ups, remember to wear gloves when washing hair or bathing.

- Avoid nickel if you are allergic to it. Nickel can present in certain types of foods, jewelry, computer keyboards, dental filling and even bra.

- Avoid stressful situations or learn stress management

- Avoid scratching. I know it is easier said than done. Try wearing unbleached cotton gloves to protect your hands.

- Plantain (Plantago major) infused in olive or other oil can be soothing.

- Wear cotton gloves while reading newspapers, books and magazines. The lead in the ink may be an irritant.

- Avoid hand sanitizing products which contains alcohol. Alcohol is drying and may aggravate the condition.

- Wash affected hands and feet with cool water and apply a moisturizer as soon as possible.

Although dyshidrosis is not life threatening, this skin condition can cause extreme pain and stress to the sufferes. While there is no definite treatment for dyshidrosis, one can aid the healing of this condition by practising a healthy lifestyle
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