Naturally, I’m conscientious about salt in my diet. I don’t even own a saltshaker! And I take a daily pill that keeps my blood pressure under control.

I’m one of the lucky ones. For many people with hypertension, medication is not effective. And until now, the reason for this was a mystery.

Science has always believed that hypertension begins in the kidneys, and medications are based on this assumption.

However, new brain imaging techniques are now proving that we’ve got it all wrong…

Peak Krill Oil^™

You probably already know how important omega-3s are to support heart and brain health. But there are five reasons you may be getting yours from a less than adequate source, starting with a powerful antioxidant that delivers DHA into your brain cells… MORE⟩⟩

⟨www.PeakNatural.com⟩

«SPONSORED»

Too much salt may inflame the brain

It’s commonly thought that hypertension begins in the kidneys, which filter blood to regulate the amount of sodium and water in the body.

When blood pressure rises, the kidneys excrete more sodium and water to reduce blood volume and lower pressure.

High blood pressure also damages the delicate blood vessels in the kidneys, triggering the release of the hormone renin, which in turn causes hypertension. Thus, a vicious cycle occurs.

But now we’re learning that when high blood pressure is resistant to treatment, it may be that the drugs are aimed at the wrong organ and the wrong hormone.

Researchers at McGill University in Montreal have discovered that cases of drug-resistant hypertension may originate not in the kidneys but in the brain.

They gave rats a solution of water and two percent salt. This is comparable to a daily diet high in fast food and processed foods like bacon.

The high-salt diet activated immune cells in a specific brain region, leading to inflammation and a surge in another hormone, vasopressin, which also increases blood pressure.

The researchers used rats instead of the more commonly studied mice because rats regulate salt and water more like humans. That makes the findings more likely to apply to people, noted lead author Prof. Masha Prager-Khoutorsky.

“This is new evidence that high blood pressure can originate in the brain, opening the door for developing treatments that act on the brain,” says Prof. Prager-Khoutorsky.

Peak Thyroid Support^™

Specially Formulated with Essential Nutrients to Support Healthy Thyroid Function!

Buy Now!

⟨www.PeakNatural.com⟩

«SPONSORED»

Avoid triggers that raise blood pressure

Giving up salt can be difficult, but an alternative that most people don’t know about is potassium-enriched salt.

It looks the same as traditional salt (sodium chloride), except some of the sodium chloride has been replaced with potassium chloride.

Not only does this salt help reduce your sodium intake, but potassium also works to strengthen your heart muscles.

But in light of this new connection between the brain and inflammation, lowering inflammation should be addressed.

A safe and easy way to do that is by adding omega-3s to your diet by eating fatty fish weekly or supplementing.

An analysis published in the Journal of the American Heart Association has identified the optimal daily amount of omega-3s needed to lower blood pressure.

However, hidden sources of sodium can sabotage all of these efforts. Be sure to check labels, especially on condiments and processed foods.

Finally, another one that most people don’t know: not all hypertension triggers are edible. Other proven hypertension triggers include:

• Loneliness
• Sleep apnea
• Thyroid problems
• Antidepressants
• Holding on to a full bladder
• Cold and migraine medications

I hope the information I’ve given you here has provided some good ammunition against hypertension.

Sources:

Too much salt can hijack your brain — Science Daily

Microglia regulate neuronal activity via structural remodeling of astrocytes — Neuron

The post Resistant blood pressure linked to surprising cause of brain inflammation appeared first on Easy Health Options®.

But what if I told you that you could, well, have your salt and eat it, too?

That’s right — there’s another kind of salt out there that you probably haven’t heard of. And if you have, well, you may have to search for it, but it’s well worth the reward.

Here’s everything you need to know…

Peak Organic Fermented Beets^™

It may not be a household word, but nitric oxide has been recognized in over 130,000 published scientific papers as a vital signaling molecule that keeps blood vessels healthy so they can perform as the body needs. But as you age, your cells produce less and… MORE⟩⟩

⟨www.PeakNatural.com⟩

«SPONSORED»

What is potassium-enriched salt?

Potassium-enriched salts look the same as traditional salts (sodium chloride). Only some of the sodium chloride has been replaced with potassium chloride.

And there’s good evidence this simple change could make a huge difference for many people suffering from high blood pressure…

In a randomized trial, 20,995 people with a history of stroke — or who were 60 years of age or older and had high blood pressure — switched to potassium-enriched salt. Researchers saw lower blood pressure and reduced risks of stroke, heart attacks and early death.

That’s just one reason a group of researchers are strongly encouraging clinical guideline bodies to review their recommendations about the use of potassium-enriched salt substitutes.

Potassium-enriched salt works to lower blood pressure because it reduces sodium intake and because of potassium’s role in heart health…

Potassium not only helps keep your heart muscles strong and beating regularly — but a deficiency in the mineral can lead to bone-hard arteries.

Most of our potassium comes from fruits and vegetables that many of us just don’t eat enough of. And that’s a problem.

Peak BP Platinum^™

Clinically-Tested Nutritients that Support Arterial Health and Blood Pressure!

Buy Now!

⟨www.PeakNatural.com⟩

«SPONSORED»

Why aren’t more of us using potassium-enriched salt?

Potassium-enriched salts are also called low-sodium salt, potassium salt, heart salt, mineral salt or reduced-sodium salt.

But many people simply don’t know it’s an option — or that a simple switch to potassium-enriched salt could help lower their blood pressure and reduce the risk of stroke and heart attack.

Marketing is another issue. Where it is sold, there’s often only one brand, and it is relegated to the bottom shelf, or only found in a specialty food aisle, which most shoppers ignore.

And it’s generally more expensive than traditional salt, so people on a budget also tend to bypass it in favor of plain old salt.

Should you be concerned about potassium deficiency?

There are a few reasons, besides skimping on fruits and vegetables, that someone could be potassium deficient:

• Diuretics (“water pills”) that increase urination and loss of too much potassium
• Diarrhea, vomiting or excess sweating
• Some antibiotics
• Excessive alcohol consumption

Would you recognize a deficiency? Some of the signs are:

• weakness
• muscle cramps
• tingling
• fatigue
• nausea
• bloating
• frequent urination
• constipation
• irregular heartbeat
• acne

If you experience any of these symptoms consistently, it’s wise to make an appointment with your doctor to determine if a potassium deficiency is the cause.

Peak Vision Support^™

Unique Dual Nutrient Formula Supports Healthy, Clear Vision and Protects Eyes from Blue Light!

Buy Now!

⟨www.PeakNatural.com⟩

«SPONSORED»

Why you should still reach for fresh sources of potassium

When you think of high-potassium foods, a banana probably tops your list. But here are some foods that pack more potassium than a banana:

• avocado
• sweet potato
• spinach
• potatoes
• butternut squash
• dried apricots
• watermelon
• fish

One reason it’s important to keep reaching for fresh food sources of potassium is that some have additional benefits for your arteries and blood pressure…

Citrulline, found in watermelon, is a precursor to L arginine, which helps produce nitric oxide (NO), a signaling molecule that plays a role in blood pressure regulation, lipid reduction and glucose control.

The rich levels of polyphenols and carotenoids in watermelon, particularly lycopene, also provide additional support to help maintain normal cardio-metabolic health.

Spinach also helps produce nitric oxide, but more efficiently. Foods like spinach and beets contain naturally occurring organic nitrates, and help the body produce NO via the nitrate–nitrite–nitric oxide pathway. Research claims it’s the most bioavailable, sustainable and fastest route for raising NO levels that support artery health and blood pressure.

Sources:

Research Shows One Easy Diet Swap Can Reduce Blood Pressure And Heart Attacks — Science Alert

Potassium-Enriched Salt Substitutes: A Review of Recommendations in Clinical Management Guidelines — Hypertension

Effect of Salt Substitution on Cardiovascular Events and Death — New England Journal of Medicine

Potassium-Enriched Salt Substitutes as a Means to Lower Blood Pressure — Hypertension

Low potassium (hypokalemia) — Mayo Clinic

The post The salt that doesn’t raise your blood pressure appeared first on Easy Health Options®.

Liquid I.V. is obviously doing a good job of marketing, as the company has quadrupled sales over the last 4 years. Estimates are that we are spending $1 billion on this hydration brand alone. So, if you’re not already using it, clearly a lot of people around you are.

Besides selling to the general public, Liquid I.V. donates its products to hydration programs around the globe, which is highly laudable. But does all that mean you should be reaching for it, too? 

Probably not.

Peak Blood Flow^™

Poor circulation can impact your eyesight, your ability to sleep and cause headaches, discomfort and swelling — among other more serious concerns. The tell-tale signs of a circulation problem are… MORE⟩⟩

⟨www.PeakNatural.com⟩

«SPONSORED»

When Electrolytes Matter

For most of us, the reason to hydrate with something other than plain water is if our dehydration has arisen from prolonged or intense physical activity. This means we have not only lost water through sweat, we have also lost a significant amount of electrolytes, including sodium, potassium, and chloride. In that scenario, we are more prone to muscle cramping and to longer muscle recovery.   

In parts of the world where diarrheal illnesses are common, rehydration with sodium, potassium, and chloride-supplemented water can be lifesaving. This is the whole idea behind Pedialyte — the hydration formula many of us have used when our children experience digestive distress.

Now, I don’t know about you, but I’m a reasonably active person. And except for a few hot days, I rarely sweat enough to worry about electrolyte imbalance. Obviously, if you are extremely active or just sweat a lot with activity, replacing electrolytes may make sense.

However, I just can’t imagine that there are enough uber athletes or excessively sweaty people out there to justify a quadrupling of Liquid I.V. sales. This means people who don’t need the solution have been made to feel like they do — especially with formulas boasting immune support, energy enhancement and better sleep. They even have a formula specifically targeted at children.

What’s Really Inside Liquid I.V.?

The company’s website does not prominently display the nutrition facts panels. At least I could not find them. I had to go to Target’s site to discover that each serving of their sugar-free version includes around 500 mg of sodium, 375 mg of potassium, plenty of B vitamins like folate, B6 and B12, a good amount of vitamin C, allulose and artificial flavors. The cost is about $1.50 per sachet.

500 mg of sodium is a lot — anywhere from a ⅓ to ¼ of the sodium needed for the day. The potassium content is relatively low — about 10%. The zero-calorie sweetener, allulose, can be found in minute quantities in fruits such as figs and dates. However, in larger amounts, it still falls into the non-nutritive sweetener category with all the negative downstream effects. Although this does not make it dangerous, allulose is currently not approved in Europe since their scientific body has determined there is not enough human data to deem it safe.

Other varieties contain cane sugar as well as non-nutritive sweeteners, similar levels of sodium and potassium, and slight variations on other additives. The energy version has added caffeine. The immune version has extra zinc and vitamin C. The sleep version contains melatonin. The kid’s version is mostly a half dose of the regular adult version.

Peak Vision Support^™

Unique Dual Nutrient Formula Supports Healthy, Clear Vision and Protects Eyes from Blue Light!

Buy Now!

⟨www.PeakNatural.com⟩

«SPONSORED»

Do You Actually Need More Sodium?

But here’s the thing — in the absence of dehydration with significant electrolyte loss, about the last thing we need is to add sodium to our diets!

Even if we are tired, sleepy, low on immunity, or still growing. Because we are already swimming in added sodium from the foods we eat.

What we are generally low in is potassium, because we don’t eat enough fruits and vegetables. The ratio of potassium to sodium in Liquid I.V. might be fine if you’re managing diarrhea. But if your goal is to supplement the minerals you are truly lacking, this is not the best solution.

The Real Cost of Electrolyte Powders

Finally, I have to say something about the price tag. 500 mg of sodium can be found in less than a ¼ teaspoon of salt, at basically zero cost. Vitamins and additives are pennies at best.

And you can get more potassium from one banana (with natural sugars, vitamin C and whole food fiber to boot) for about $0.25. At $1.50 per packet of powder, I just don’t see the value. 

But in case you thought I was avoiding a big topic — rehydration drinks can work wonders for a hangover. And if you overdid it, I’m not going to judge. $1.50 might feel like a total bargain at that point! But if consumption of these powders has gone up fourfold due to Americans’ need for hangover management, we have FAR BIGGER problems.

Final Thought: Are Electrolyte Drinks a Fad? 

OK… in this blog, I focused on Liquid I.V., but I would urge you to consider the same points when you reach for any liquid or powder touting its rehydration powers. With few exceptions, plain water is enough.

My overall conclusion? Fad.

The post Electrolyte drinks: Good, bad or Fad? appeared first on Easy Health Options®.

That’s because when you ingest too much salt, your body responds to the excess sodium by holding on to water to dilute it. The result is an increase in the amount of fluid in your blood vessels, which raises the pressure inside the vessels and makes your heart work harder.

You may think taking blood pressure medication counteracts this effect. However, too much sodium offsets the benefits of two commonly used blood pressure medications: diuretics and vasodilators. So, if you’re taking either of these medications but still eating too much salt, you’re canceling out the medicine’s effects.

Therefore, regardless of whether you’re on blood pressure medication, it makes sense to cut back on the salt you consume, right? Well, that’s just half of the solution…

Peak Organic Fermented Beets^™

It may not be a household word, but nitric oxide has been recognized in over 130,000 published scientific papers as a vital signaling molecule that keeps blood vessels healthy so they can perform as the body needs. But as you age, your cells produce less and… MORE⟩⟩

⟨www.PeakNatural.com⟩

«SPONSORED»

Add potassium to the mix

Previous research has indicated that upping potassium intake can help control blood pressure. Both potassium and sodium are electrolytes, substances that help the body send electric signals that contract muscles and affect the amount of water in the body, among other essential functions.

With that in mind, researchers from the University of Waterloo developed a mathematical model that successfully identifies how the potassium and sodium ratio affects the body. The model showed that increasing the ratio of potassium to sodium intake had a positive effect on blood pressure.

In addition, the model was developed to identify how difference in sex impacts the relationship between potassium and blood pressure. The researchers found that men develop high blood pressure more easily than pre-menopausal women. Still, men are also more likely to respond positively when the potassium-to-sodium ratio increases.

“Usually, when we have high blood pressure, we are advised to eat less salt,” says Anita Layton, a University of Waterloo professor. “Our research suggests that adding more potassium-rich foods to your diet, such as bananas or broccoli, might have a greater positive impact on your blood pressure than just cutting sodium.”

“Early humans ate lots of fruits and vegetables, and as a result, our body’s regulatory systems may have evolved to work best with a high potassium, low sodium diet,” says Melissa Stadt, a PhD candidate at the University of Waterloo and the lead author of the study.

Peak BP Platinum^™

Clinically-Tested Nutritients that Support Arterial Health and Blood Pressure!

Buy Now!

⟨www.PeakNatural.com⟩

«SPONSORED»

Getting the potassium-sodium balance right

If you need a little extra help, consider the DASH eating plan, specifically developed to help people lower high blood pressure. It focuses on whole foods, fat-free or low-fat dairy, whole grains, lean meats, fish and poultry, and limiting red meat and ultra-processed foods.

Not only was it designed with lower sodium intake in mind (the Standard Dash diet limits sodium consumption to 2,300 mg daily while the Lower Sodium Dash diet drops that to 1,500 mg), but it also provides guidance on reaching a target of 4,700 mg of potassium daily.

That sounds like a lot and might seem difficult if not for this helpful list with lots of recommended choices, which also identifies specific foods that pack the most potassium by food groups. For example…

• A medium potato, baked with the skin, provides 941 mg of potassium;
• A blessed medium banana will get you 422 mg;
• Plain non-fat yogurt (6 to 8 oz) provides 579 mg;
• White beans, ½ can, yields 595 mg;
• Wild Atlantic salmon puts 534 on your plate.

Be sure to check out the link to the full list!

One thing to keep in mind: if you’re already taking a diuretic for blood pressure management, you may need to check with your doctor about a potassium supplement. Diuretics increase urine output to help rid the body of excess fluid and sodium, but some can also cause potassium loss. Don’t start taking potassium supplements without your doctor’s advice, as having too much potassium in your body can be dangerous.

Sources:

High blood pressure? Eat more bananas — EurekAlert!

Modulation of blood pressure by dietary potassium and sodium: sex differences and modeling analysis — American Journal of Physiology-Renal Physiology

Dietary salt and blood pressure: A complex connection — Harvard Health Publishing

Foods high in potassium — Healthdirect

The post Why a banana a day is key to regulating blood pressure appeared first on Easy Health Options®.

It’s no secret that studies have shown that eating too much salt can cause your blood pressure to skyrocket.

But cutting down on salt is next to impossible…

Sure, you can remove the shaker from your dining table, ignore it at restaurants and say no to the gravy, sauces and dressings — but unless you’re preparing all your meals from scratch, salt is an inescapable given.

But what if there was something that countered salt’s harmful effects? Sort of a “kryptonite” that weakened its ability to raise blood pressure?

Sound too good to be true?

Well, this time it’s not…

Research has found that for women, at least, a heart-healthy nutrient can lower blood pressure, even in salty diets, and is urging women everywhere to start eating these foods…

Peak Organic Fermented Beets^™

Amazing “Can’t be Beet” Superfood Helps Keep Nitric Oxide Levels Up!

Buy Now!

⟨www.PeakNatural.com⟩

«SPONSORED»

The relationship between salt and potassium

“It is well known that high salt consumption is associated with elevated blood pressure and a raised risk of heart attacks and strokes,” says Professor Liffert Vogt of Amsterdam University Medical Centers, the Netherlands. “Health advice has focused on limiting salt intake, but this is difficult to achieve when our diets include processed foods. Potassium helps the body excrete more sodium in the urine.”

Armed with these facts, the professor and his research team set out to determine just how vital potassium really is in managing the blood pressure dangers of salt.

So they accessed the health data of almost 25,000 participants between the ages of 40 and 79, a near-even split between men and women, and compared their blood pressure and risk of cardiovascular events to their sodium and potassium intake from their diets.

And the results were clear…

There’s an inextricable link between potassium consumption and blood pressure — but dietary potassium was linked with the most significant health gains for women, per Professor Vogt.

The team found that as potassium intake went up, blood pressure went down. Specifically, for every one-gram increase in daily potassium, women benefited from a 2.4 mmHg lower systolic blood pressure.

And these benefits were seen most clearly in women who ate a LOT of salt.

What about the men? While their benefits weren’t as significant as the women’s, they weren’t left out in the cold completely…

The researchers followed up with all of the participants for 19.5 years. And after adjusting for all confounding factors, like age, sex, body mass and more, they discovered that people who consumed the most potassium in their diets had a 13 percent lower risk of cardiovascular events compared to those who got the least.

Peak Vitality^™

Your adrenal glands support essential functions from metabolism to stress response. But when they become fatigued, problems with sleep quality, unwanted weight gain, moodiness, energy levels and more can take your vitality for a dive. Nutrients called “adaptogens” help restore balance and improve… MORE⟩⟩

⟨www.PeakNatural.com⟩

«SPONSORED»

Getting more potassium in your diet

When asked about the results of the study, Professor Vogt had this to say: “The results suggest that potassium helps preserve heart health, but that women benefit more than men. The relationship between potassium and cardiovascular events was the same regardless of salt intake, suggesting that potassium has other ways of protecting the heart on top of increasing sodium excretion.”

This is great news, but I do have one warning…

Just because potassium acts like salt kryptonite for blood pressure, don’t throw all caution to the wind. Too much salt has other effects on the body that are far from healthy…

Salt negatively impacts your body’s production of nitric oxide — a compound that relaxes and widens the blood vessels, allowing blood to flow.

A high sodium diet could leave you with immune system problems and open to infection as well.

Now, how to get more potassium into your diet…

To protect your heart and have better blood pressure, these foods should be on your list to eat regularly:

• Bananas (Green bananas have a special added benefit)
• Avocados
• Salmon
• Potatoes
• Sweet potatoes
• Pumpkin
• Dark leafy greens
• Asparagus

And be sure to watch out for warning signs that you may be deficient in potassium, since many of us don’t get enough of the vital nutrient in our diets.

Sources:

Women urged to eat potassium-rich foods to improve their heart health – ScienceDaily

The post Women urged to eat this blood pressure ‘kryptonite’ appeared first on Easy Health Options®.

It’s a time of celebrations and social gatherings, time with friends and family, and, of course, enjoying good food and, yes, good drink.

One of my favorite things about this time of year is that it’s ok to enjoy treats that I normally keep to a bare minimum the rest of the year — and to “make merry and bright” and raise a glass with friends.

But while it is perfectly fine to enjoy these tasty indulgences, to a degree, over-indulging has the potential to make the happiest time of the year, the scariest.

In fact, the alcohol, sweets and salty savory treats could leave you with a permanent heart condition…

Holiday heart syndrome

Holiday heart syndrome — a condition that includes atrial fibrillation (AFib) or irregular heartbeat, is associated with “binge” drinking.

In other words, drinking just 4 to 5 alcoholic drinks in a short period of time can lead to AFib and increase the risk for blood clots, stroke, heart failure and even heart attacks.

According to Blake Smith, M.D., a cardiac electrophysiologist at The University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) Cardiovascular Institute, the syndrome was first recognized about 50 years ago.

“It was noted that multiple patients were being hospitalized with cardiac arrhythmias, particularly atrial fibrillation, after binge drinking alcohol. These events were noted to be more frequent around weekends and holidays when people are more prone to binge drinking,” explains Smith.

In other words, you may go weeks, even months without an alcoholic beverage, but spending several hours at a holiday party and having a few drinks can add up to trouble. Here’s why…

Increased alcohol consumption causes changes in the molecular signaling in the heart and abnormalities in the way the heart handles calcium which can trigger irregular heartbeat. It also leads to electrolyte disturbances, not to mention the direct toxic effects alcohol has on heart tissue.

It’s an unintended recipe for disaster, but the problem can be compounded…

Large meals that taste so good but are so bad

While drinking too much can trigger holiday heart syndrome, enjoying too much of those incredible holiday foods high in sodium and saturated fats can also set off AFib, as well as other heart conditions.

And here’s how: research has shown that consuming large meals can:

• Stimulate the vagal nerve, the nerve responsible for controlling your digestion, but also your heart rate.
• Boost levels of hormones in your blood that increase your heart rate and blood pressure.
• Elevate the risk of heart attack by almost four times within just two hours after eating.

Clearly, it’s not only the alcohol we need to take a moderate approach to during the holiday — but the food too.

Symptoms of holiday heart syndrome

If you’re suffering from AFib caused by holiday heart syndrome, you’re going to feel off and notice some definite symptoms…

This first is a sudden onset of palpitations. Your heart may feel like it’s racing in your chest or beating irregularly.  These fast or irregular beats can come and go or happen continuously.

Additional symptoms can include dizziness and shortness of breath. When you’re in AFib, you can also experience chest pain, especially if your heart rate is extremely high.

It’s important to note that doctors recommend that anyone who experiences severe symptoms or symptoms that last for more than a few minutes should seek medical attention.

While AFib caused by holiday heart syndrome often resolves within 12-24 hours after stopping alcohol, you should follow up with your doctor as soon as possible. Some people will require treatment with medications to slow their heart rate, a cardioversion procedure to restore normal rhythm, or blood thinners to reduce the risk of stroke.

Having a heart-healthy holiday season

The good news is that you can have a heart-healthy and enjoyable holiday season…

“While enjoying the holidays is important, moderation is key to keeping it heart-healthy,” Smith said. “Staying hydrated and not neglecting regular physical activity will also help.”

Research has shown that people who averaged between 2.5 and 5 hours of exercise per week, the minimum amount recommended by the American Heart Association, had a 60 percent reduced risk of developing AFib. Those who averaged greater than 5 hours of exercise per week showed a slightly greater risk reduction of 65 percent.

Smith recommends limiting alcohol to one drink per day for women, or two drinks per day for men, not overeating and keeping fatty, sugary and salty foods to a minimum.

The post Sweet, salty and boozy: A recipe for holiday heart syndrome appeared first on Easy Health Options®.

Wouldn’t it be great if there was an easy and inexpensive way to head off the “crud” the kids inevitably transport home and to anyone else they come in contact with?

Well, research indicates there just might be a non-drug way to help them get over these infections quickly — and reduce the spread…

Peak D3^™

When you step out into the sunlight, your body begins the process of making vitamin D. But getting the ideal amount can be difficult because some of us can’t effectively absorb it. That’s just one of many reasons the vitamin D deficiency is an epidemic… MORE⟩⟩

⟨www.PeakNatural.com⟩

«SPONSORED»

Saline nasal drops could do the trick

A team of researchers enrolled 407 children aged up to six years in the ELVIS-Kids study. When they developed a cold they were either given either their usual care or hypertonic saline ~2.6 percent (saltwater) nasal drops.

Overall, 301 children developed a cold. In the nasal drops group, parents were given sea salt and taught to make and apply the nasal drops to their children’s noses. They administered three drops per nostril at least four times a day until the child was well.

The researchers found children using saltwater nose drops had cold symptoms for an average of six days, compared with the children receiving usual care, who had symptoms for eight days. The children receiving nose drops also needed fewer medicines during their illness.

“Children have up to 10 to 12 upper respiratory tract infections, what we refer to as colds, per year, which have a big impact on them and their families,” says Steve Cunningham, a professor at the University of Edinburgh. “There are medicines to improve symptoms, such as paracetamol [acetaminophen] and ibuprofen, but no treatments that can make a cold get better quicker.”

When children received saltwater nose drops, 46 percent of their households reported family members catching a cold, compared with 61 percent of households for children receiving usual cold care.

Also, 82 percent of parents reported that nose drops helped the child recover quickly, and 81 percent said they would use nose drops in the future.

“Reducing the duration of colds in children means that fewer people in their house also get a cold, with clear implications for how quickly a household feels better and can return to their usual activities like school and work, etc.,” Cunningham says. “Our study also showed that parents can safely make and administer nose drops to their children and therefore have some control over the common cold affecting their children.”

Peak Golden Oil^™

The golden-colored oil of the Nigella sativa plant contains compounds essential for a healthy immune system. That explains why it was documented in the oldest medical writings. But we don’t just rely on history to prove the therapeutic benefit of… MORE⟩⟩

⟨www.PeakNatural.com⟩

«SPONSORED»

Why it works

ELVIS-Kids chief investigator Dr. Sandeep Ramalingam, a consultant virologist for NHS Lothian in Edinburgh, U.K., notes that saltwater solutions are often used by people in South Asia as nasal irrigation and gargling to treat a cold.

The way the drops work hinges on the salt, or sodium chloride, in the water. “Chloride is used by the cells lining the nose and windpipes to produce hypochlorous acid within cells, which they use to defend against virus infection,” Cunningham says. “By giving extra chloride to the lining cells, this helps the cells produce more hypochlorous acid, which helps suppress viral replication, reducing the length of the virus infection, and therefore the duration of symptoms.”

Ultimately, saltwater nasal drops represent a safe, simple and inexpensive solution for reducing the duration of colds by two days, thus slashing the health and economic burden of colds on families.

The researchers hope to further study the effect of saltwater nose drops on wheeze-related colds. Initial results from this study showed children who received the drops had significantly fewer episodes of wheezing (5 percent versus 19 percent in children receiving the usual treatment).

To make your own saline nasal drops at home, add 1 teaspoon of non-iodized salt and 1 teaspoon of baking soda to 2 cups distilled or boiled water that must cooled to room temperature before use. You can then use a sterile squeeze bottle to apply them.

If making your saline solution seems like too much of a hassle, saline nasal drops and sprays are inexpensive and readily available in drugstores. There are brands made specifically for use in children and for adults.

And even though saline solution drops were only tested in children, it probably would make sense for adults to try them as well to reduce cold duration — given how easy they are to use and what we’ve learned about how chloride from salt is instrumental in immune defense, why not?

Sources:

Saline nasal drops reduce the duration of the common cold in young children by two days — EurekAlert!

Saline Nasal Washes for Children: Care Instructions — MyHealthAlberta.ca

The post Using saltwater to shorten colds and stop the spread appeared first on Easy Health Options®.

But I’m here to tell you about the latest findings on how salt may cause a common skin condition that is not only uncomfortable but often a warning sign that your heart health is in trouble as well.

It’s a condition that one in ten of us will suffer from at some point in our lives. Here’s what you need to know.

Peak Golden Oil^™

The golden-colored oil of the Nigella sativa plant contains compounds essential for a healthy immune system. That explains why it was documented in the oldest medical writings. But we don’t just rely on history to prove the therapeutic benefit of… MORE⟩⟩

⟨www.PeakNatural.com⟩

«SPONSORED»

News flash: salt is stored in the skin

Until 2013, according to Dr. Jens Titze of Vanderbilt University, research into hypertension had focused on the kidneys, blood vessels and brain.

But in that same year, Dr. Titze noticed that “despite massive research efforts, we still do not understand in more than 90 percent of our patients why their blood pressure is elevated. We thought a different approach might be useful.”

Dr. Titze and his team found evidence that the body stores sodium in the skin and that immune system cells and lymph capillaries found under the skin also regulate sodium balance and blood pressure.

This means that it’s not just the heart, kidney and brain that control blood pressure, but also the skin.

But we now know that too much salt stored in the skin doesn’t just affect blood pressure. It plays a role in the inflammation of an all-too-common skin condition…

Salt, inflammation equals eczema flare-up

Researchers at UC San Francisco have recently discovered that limiting dietary salt could be an easy way for people with eczema to manage their disease.

Eczema, also called atopic dermatitis, is a chronic disease. In case you’ve been lucky enough not to experience it, let me describe it for you…

Itchy, uncomfortable red patches… dry, flaky, peeling skin… a rash that burns… open, crusty sores that develop when you scratch.

These uncomfortable symptoms are all part of living with eczema.

For their cross-sectional study, the UCSF team looked at 13,000 U.S. adults in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey and found that eating just one additional gram a day of sodium — about half a teaspoon of table salt — was associated with 22 percent higher odds that someone would have an active case of eczema.

Peak D3^™

Gives You the Vitamin D3 You Can’t Get From Sunshine Alone!

Buy Now!

⟨www.PeakNatural.com⟩

«SPONSORED»

How to deal with eczema naturally

Now you have just one more reason to be careful about the amount of salt in your diet in addition to the concerns about how it impacts heart health, brain health, risk for diabetes and lifespan.

If you suffer from eczema we’ve written about a few ways to soothe it without resorting to drugs. Some key points to remember:

• Stay away from soap
• Don’t soak for a long time, just bathe long enough to remove dirt and germs from your skin
• Always apply moisturizer after bathing or showering

Here’s just a sampling of other posts that may be helpful:

Eczema relief with essential oils

Eczema: The early vitamin intervention that could stop it

8 sneaky ingredients that could be making your eczema worse

Exploring the benefits of green tea for your skin

Sources:

Why do 1 in 10 Americans get eczema? Is it too much salt? — Science Daily

Sodium Intake and Atopic Dermatitis — JAMA Dermatology

Salt gets under your skin — Science Daily

Immune cells control skin lymphatic electrolyte homeostasis and blood pressure — Journal of Clinical Investigation

The post Eczema flare-up? Cut back on the salt appeared first on Easy Health Options®.

Of course, sodium is an essential nutrient the body needs — only in small amounts. The problem is that in the typical American diet, there’s no shortage of it, and it doesn’t just raise your blood pressure…

Salt can hijack your immune system and interfere with the cell powerhouses that keep the heart ticking along.

A salty diet can even starve the brain of oxygen, resulting in Alzheimer’s-like changes.

And now, research is giving us one more reason to think twice about grabbing that shaker of salt: an increased risk for stomach cancer.

Almost 40 percent higher risk

It may surprise you, but in Asian countries, the connection between salty foods and stomach cancer has long been known. However, what scientists did not know was whether or not this risk applied to other populations.

So, researchers at MedUni Vienna set out to close that knowledge gap by accessing the health data of more than 470,000 adults found in the UK-Biobank.

Specifically, the scientists focused on five years of questionnaires where participants were asked, “How often do you add salt to your food?”

This allowed them to compare regular salt intake to stomach cancer rates.

And overall, the researchers found that people who said they always or frequently added salt to their food were at a 39 percent higher risk of developing stomach cancer over a period of 11 years than those who never or rarely added an extra pinch of salt to their food.

When asked about their research, the team had this to say: “Our research shows the connection between the frequency of added salt and stomach cancer in Western countries too.

“With our study, we want to raise awareness of the negative effects of extremely high salt consumption and provide a basis for measures to prevent stomach cancer.”

Stomach cancer has been on the rise

In the list of the most common types of cancer worldwide, stomach cancer is in fifth place.

And though stomach cancer is usually associated with older age, the researchers noted that incidents of stomach cancer in adults under 50 have been steadily increasing.

Salt consumption could also be the missing link researchers have been looking for to explain why stomach cancer rates are on the rise, especially among younger people.

Other risk factors for stomach cancer include tobacco use and alcohol consumption, Helicobacter pylori infection and being overweight or considered obese.

Striking a salt balance

Because salt is important to maintain a balance of body fluids and keep muscles and nerves functioning smoothly, your goal should be to optimize your intake.

However, if your diet includes processed foods, it’s unlikely you’d ever get too little.

Easy ways to cut back on your salt intake include:

• Buy unsalted butter – Using salted butter can cause the numbers to add up on your sodium counter fast. So stick with unsalted butter for everyday use, as well as baking.
• Read labels – You’d be surprised at how much sodium is lurking in processed foods. Some of the worst offenders include canned soup, cottage cheese, frozen foods, sauces and condiments. Check labels for low-sodium versions.
• Ask for condiments ‘on the side’ – By asking for them ‘on the side’, you can control how much you use and how much sodium you consume.
• Skip the deli meats – Lunchmeats like ham and turkey can be packed with sodium. This is true of breakfast meats, including bacon and sausage, as well.
• Opt for alternatives – Instead of reaching for the salt shaker, try fresh herbs and spices on your food.

The best advice would be to eat as little processed food as possible. When you cook a meal starting with fresh ingredients, you can control the amount of salt you might add — either during cooking or at the table.

You can add less sodium to homemade sauces as well, instead reaching for herbs and spices that actually have health-boosting benefits.

Sources:

Frequent salting of food increases the risk of stomach cancer — EurekAlert!

The post The popular condiment linked to stomach cancer appeared first on Easy Health Options®.

In contrast, about 250,000 people a year die of chronic kidney disease (CKD).

But here’s the thing…

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of death among people with CKD. And CKD can raise the risk of cardiovascular disease by two to fifty times. 

CVD and CKD often occur together and share many of the same risk factors — including older age, diabetes and high blood pressure.

So it’s no surprise that the salt shaker on your kitchen table is one of your worst enemies if you want to prevent both CKD and CVD.

Peak Organic Alkalizing Greens^™

At birth your body’s pH is balanced. But starting immediately acid waste builds up and starts to shift your pH level from healthy alkaline to unhealthy acid. If your body is too acidic it provides the right terrain for germs to thrive. To add insult to injury… MORE⟩⟩

⟨www.PeakNatural.com⟩

«SPONSORED»

What your kidneys do for you

Every day, your two kidneys filter about 150 quarts of blood, producing about two quarts of urine full of wastes and excess fluid.

Your kidneys do other jobs as well:

• keep sodium, potassium and phosphate levels healthy
• regulate blood pressure
• make red blood cells
• help strengthen bones

Study links salting food to more kidney disease

That first bullet point above is a big clue. Without healthy functioning kidneys, sodium builds up in the body.

And previous research has shown that high salt intake can increase the amount of protein in the urine — a major risk factor for kidney function decline.

Most of us have long been aware that salt can have a major impact on our health. But adding a dash here and there, well, where is the harm in that?

That’s exactly what researchers at Tulane and Harvard Universities partnered together to look into.

Accessing 465,288 subjects from the UK Biobank, a large, long-term study in the UK that aims to investigate the roles genes and environmental factors play in disease, subjects self-reported how much salt they used.

According to the researchers, the association was clear: Higher self-reported frequency of adding salt to foods was significantly associated with a higher CKD risk.

Compared with those who reported “never or rarely” adding salt to food — those who reported “sometimes” adding salt to food, those who reported “usually” adding salt to food and those who reported always adding salt to food had an increased risk of CKD.

“In conclusion, our study indicates that the higher self-reported frequency of adding salt to foods is significantly associated with a higher risk of CKD. These findings support the reduction of adding salt to foods as a potential intervention strategy for CKD prevention.”

Peak PS^™

Support Stong Cognition with One of the Most Tested Nutrients for Brain Health and Memory!

Buy Now!

⟨www.PeakNatural.com⟩

«SPONSORED»

Lay off the salt and eat like this

A large majority of adults with chronic kidney disease also have metabolic syndrome.

And metabolic syndrome is a jumping board to heart trouble. That means if blood pressure is creeping along with weight, blood sugar levels and triglycerides, heed the wake-up call.

The heart-healthy DASH diet that’s often recommended for people with chronic kidney disease can help tremendously with these metabolic syndrome factors. DASH stands for Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension, and its emphasis on low salt intake and eating foods containing potassium, calcium and magnesium has been known to lower blood pressure in as little as 14 days.

The DASH diet promotes low-fat meat and diary, nuts and seeds and 4 to 5 daily servings each of leafy green vegetables and fruit.

Vegetables and fruits are alkaline foods that can help lower dietary acid load. The kidneys normally help to regulate blood pH, but if kidney health declines and can no longer carry on that function as well, then some experts believe a diet that reduces acid load could improve outcomes in CKD.

Avoid processed and ultra-processed food. It’s a sure bet any of those foods will have sodium amounts far and above what would be considered good for anyone.

Sources:

Self-reported frequency of adding salt to food and risk of incident chronic kidney disease — Eureka Alert

Self-Reported Frequency of Adding Salt to Food and Risk of Incident Chronic Kidney Disease — JAMA

Chronic Kidney Disease Basics — CDC

Alkaline Diets and Kidney Disease — American Society for Nutrition

The post From kidney disease to heart disease: How much salt matters appeared first on Easy Health Options®.

Insulin resistance is one of the earliest signs. That’s when blood sugar levels might be normal, but your pancreas has to produce more insulin than normal to get cells to convert blood glucose to energy.

For that reason, it’s important to avoid or keep high-glycemic foods to a minimum. That includes sugary, processed, high-carbohydrate foods.

If you’re already doing that, kudos to you… but what’s your salt habit like?

What most of us don’t know is that salting our food can be as quick a path to diabetes as sugar…

Peak Vitality^™

Your adrenal glands support essential functions from metabolism to stress response. But when they become fatigued, problems with sleep quality, unwanted weight gain, moodiness, energy levels and more can take your vitality for a dive. Nutrients called “adaptogens” help restore balance and improve… MORE⟩⟩

⟨www.PeakNatural.com⟩

«SPONSORED»

More salt = greater risk of diabetes

Salt is about blood pressure. Too much salt leads to hypertension — we all know that.

However, researchers from Tulane University have found that frequently adding salt to food was associated with an increased risk of developing Type 2 diabetes.

The study surveyed more than 400,000 adults registered in the UK Biobank about their salt intake.

The UK Biobank is a large, long-term study in the UK that aims to investigate the roles genes and environmental factors play in disease.

Over a median of 11.8 years of follow-up, more than 13,000 cases of type 2 diabetes developed among participants.

And it was readily apparent that the more frequently salt was used, the more the risk went up.

Compared to those who “never” or “rarely” added salt to their food, participants who reported adding it:

• “sometimes,” had a 13 percent increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes;
•  “usually,” (regularly) saw that risk increase by 20 percent;
• “always,” saw their risk skyrocket to 39 percent!

Considering that diabetes can shave up to 14 years from your lifespan, this is certainly food for thought.

What’s the link between salt and diabetes?

More research is needed to determine why a high salt intake could be linked to a higher risk of type 2 diabetes.

For now, lead author Dr. Lu Qi has a theory…

He believes that salt encourages people to eat larger portions, increasing the chances of developing risk factors such as obesity and inflammation. In fact, the study found an association between frequent consumption of salt and higher BMI and waist-to-hip ratio.

There’s another possible connection.

Research shows that sodium can spike your cortisol levels by as much as 75 percent. And when cortisol levels go up, your body “stresses out,” which can lead to weight gain and high blood sugar.

Peak Organic Superfruits^™

Blend of anthocyanin-rich, organic fermented fruits — including Aronia, Acia, Blueberry, Pomegranate and Plum — that can help clobber insulin resistance, and keep you healthy. MORE⟩⟩

⟨www.PeakNatural.com⟩

«SPONSORED»

Too much sodium is the real issue

Salt is made of two elements: sodium and chloride.

But it’s the sodium that does you in.

And sodium is everywhere, even in seemingly ‘healthy’ foods like Raisin Bran and canned vegetable juices.

To avoid consuming too much sodium, you must also become an avid label reader.

For example, a cup of Kellogg’s Raisin Bran has 350 mg. of sodium, as compared to 190 mg. for Cheerios or 85 mg. for Kashi Go Lean.

So if you’re eating ultra-processed foods full of sodium, and adding salt to your plate at times, it’s easy to see how you can get way too much.

Tasty food without the risk

The good thing about salt is that it’s just one spice. If you need to make your food taste better there are plenty of other worthy spices to reach for.

Even better, some of them can lower your blood pressure. But what’s that got to do with diabetes?

Hypertension and insulin resistance often go hand in hand. That means reducing your risk for high blood pressure is another way to lower your risk of developing diabetes.

Research shows these 24 herbs and spices are the ones you can generously add to your favorite foods to promote healthy blood pressure and make it easier to give up the salt shaker’s diabetes risk.

Sources:

New research links high salt consumption to risk of Type 2 diabetes — Eureka Alert

Dietary Sodium Intake and Risk of Incident Type 2 Diabetes — Mayo Clinic Proceedings

Salt — Center for Science in the Public Interest

Sodium: a timeline — Center for Science in the Public Interest

The post The sneaky way salt can lead to diabetes appeared first on Easy Health Options®.

What’s less well-known is the effect that too much sodium can have on your brain.

Potassium, too, is important to brain function. In fact, a balance between these two minerals is crucial to keeping your brain healthy and functioning well as you age.

In a recent study, researchers have shown that when this balance is off, the damage that’s done can be irreversible…

Peak PS^™

It’s a mouthful, but Phosphatidylserine, or PS for short, is a nootropic that promotes brain health, memory, clarity, reasoning and comprehension. This nutrient is a key building block for the cells in your brain, that scientific literature has shown can… MORE⟩⟩

⟨www.PeakNatural.com⟩

«SPONSORED»

Replacing sodium with potassium protects against dementia

China is not only home to the largest elderly population in the world, it’s also one of the fasting aging — and dementia poses a great health and socioeconomic threat.

It also presents a unique opportunity to examine the effects of a nutrient imbalance on the risks of developing dementia.

To that end, researchers examined levels of sodium and potassium in the diets, as well as the ratio of sodium to potassium — and how that balance (or imbalance) affects memory and brain function — in 4,213 adults aged 50 and over.

They based their results both on subjects’ self-reporting of diet and on cognitive testing.

Findings of the study show that eating more than around 5,560mg of sodium per day increased the risk of memory impairment.

On the other hand, adding potassium to the diet (a potassium intake of more than 1653mg a day) was associated with higher cognitive scores.

And replacing sodium with potassium had an even greater effect. The average cognitive test score increased by a full point when 1000mg of sodium each day was replaced by 1000mg of potassium.

Potassium does triple duty in protecting the brain

So why does potassium have such a positive effect on cognitive functioning?

The answer is threefold.

First, potassium helps rid the body of excess sodium. The more potassium you eat, the more sodium you process out of the body.

Second, potassium helps relax blood vessel walls, which supports blood flow to the brain.

And third, potassium is crucial for the transmission of electrical signals in the brain. These signals travel through channels that are “opened” and “closed” by potassium. Memory loss and confusion are common signs of a lack of potassium.

Peak Blood Flow^™

Poor circulation can impact your eyesight, your ability to sleep and cause headaches, discomfort and swelling — among other more serious concerns. The tell-tale signs of a circulation problem are… MORE⟩⟩

⟨www.PeakNatural.com⟩

«SPONSORED»

Finding your potassium/sodium balance

It’s not really difficult to maintain a good sodium-to-potassium balance in your diet.

There are a few keys to staying away from sodium:

Avoid processed foods. Ultra-processed foods like packaged soups, chicken nuggets and soft drinks are full of sodium.

Read food labels. Even “good for you” foods like packaged bread and cheese contain a good deal of sodium.

Use fresh cuts of meat instead of processed. Fresh cuts of chicken, beef, or pork contain natural sodium, but things like bacon or sausage contain added sodium as well. If it can keep in the fridge for days, that’s a tip-off that the sodium content is too high.

Choose fresh fruit and vegetables. When buying frozen, choose “fresh frozen.” Read the ingredients, and avoid those with added seasoning or sauces, which are full of salt.

Use other seasonings. Cooking without salt is easy when you use fresh and natural herbs and spices to season your dishes.

And as far as getting more potassium into your diet, there are lots of good options:

• Dried fruits (raisins, apricots)
• Beans, lentils
• Potatoes
• Winter squash (acorn, butternut)
• Spinach, broccoli
• Beet greens
• Avocado
• Bananas
• Cantaloupe
• Oranges, orange juice
• Coconut water
• Tomatoes
• Dairy and plant milks (soy, almond)
• Yogurt
• Cashews, almonds
• Chicken
• Salmon

Sources:

Consuming a high sodium, low potassium diet can increase the risk of cognitive decline Eureka Alert

Association of dietary sodium, potassium, sodium/potassium, and salt with objective and subjective cognitive function among the elderly in China: A prospective cohort study Science Direct

Surprising findings on how salt affects blood flow in the brain Science Daily

A Primer on Potassium American Heart Association

Potassium and memory SF Gate

Potassium Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health

The post Less salt, more bananas could save your memory appeared first on Easy Health Options®.

That’s why whenever your pressure is on the high side, one of your doctor’s first recommendations will be to limit your salt intake.

But while we’ve known for years that salt and blood pressure risk go hand-in-hand, most of us have associated the risk with the increased fluid sodium pulls into your bloodstream and its effects on the kidneys.

However, according to a new study, something else may be at play, altering the cells of your immune system and even damaging your cells’ ability to make energy throughout your body.

Peak D3^™

When you step out into the sunlight, your body begins the process of making vitamin D. But getting the ideal amount can be difficult because some of us can’t effectively absorb it. That’s just one of many reasons the vitamin D deficiency is an epidemic… MORE⟩⟩

⟨www.PeakNatural.com⟩

«SPONSORED»

The powerhouses of your body

You see, back in 2015 research from a team at the Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine in the Helmholtz Association (MDC) and the Experimental and Clinical Research Center (ECRC) discovered that when sodium levels go up, immune cells called monocytes begin to function differently. To top it off, they also aren’t activated as they should be.

However, the study wasn’t able to find the cause.

So this year, the researchers went back to the table. And this time, they found the answer.

They discovered that within three hours of exposure to high salt concentrations, the energy mechanisms in your immune cells become disrupted. In fact, your mitochondria — the powerhouses of every cell in your body, including the ones that control your immunity — produce less ATP for energy and consume less oxygen.

In essence, salt blocks energy production.

Now, here’s where things get a little odd…

The lack of energy causes the monocytes to mature differently. “The phagocytes, whose task is to identify and eliminate pathogens in the body, were able to fight off infections more effectively. But this could also promote inflammation, which might increase cardiovascular risk,” explains lead researcher Professor Dominik Müller of the Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine in the Helmholtz Association and the Experimental and Clinical Research Center.

How salt affects your immune system

To find out how long the effects of eating salt last, the researchers turned to one of our favorite foods — pizza.

They had participants eat a takeout pizza (hard job, right?) and then analyzed the immune cells in their blood and the function of their mitochondria.

Here’s what they found…

It doesn’t take long for the energy produced to go down after salt intake. It can happen after a single pizza.

But the good news is that the effects don’t last long.

In fact, after just three to eight hours, the effects were barely measurable — as long as no more high salt foods were consumed in the meantime, of course.

This means that the issues caused by a high salt diet are reversible. However, it also means there is a continuous risk of mitochondrial function problems if you eat a very salty diet regularly.

Peak Longevity Platinum^™

Promotes Cellular Energy, Supports Heart & Brain Functions!

Buy Now!

⟨www.PeakNatural.com⟩

«SPONSORED»

More worries than just your heart

The researchers say that there could be more to worry about when it comes to the effect salt has on energy production than the danger it poses to your heart.

Since mitochondria exist in every cell in your body, the reduced energy output experienced due to salt intake could have far-reaching effects, especially in areas where a lot of energy is needed, such as your muscles and nerves.

And as Professor Markus Kleinewietfeld of Hasselt University explains, “If such an important cellular mechanism is disrupted for a long period, it could have a negative impact — and could potentially drive inflammatory diseases of the blood vessels or joints, or autoimmune diseases.”

So save your immune cells, save your heart and save your health by skipping the salt whenever possible. Instead, to add flavor to your food try a squeeze of lemon, or go with herbs such as parsley, thyme, dill or basil. For meats, herb-infused oils can make a great, salt-free marinade that packs a big flavor punch.

Sources:

Too much salt suppresses phagocytes – EurekAlert!

The post How salt hijacks your immune system to work against your heart appeared first on Easy Health Options®.

If you get no other dietary advice, you’ll get that one, no doubt about it.

That’s because for the past hundred years or more the standard of care for people with weak hearts or high blood pressure has been sodium reduction.

Yet, the history of salt and its effects on the cardiovascular system has been anything but clear-cut.

While one widely touted study found that one in 10 Americans dies from too much salt, there’s not been any scientific evidence to clarify just how much salt is too much for people struggling with heart problems.

So, researchers at the University of Alberta set out to find the answer, along with exactly what benefits passing on the salt could offer if you have heart failure.

Peak Cardio Platinum^™

Clinically-Tested Nutrients Help Arteries and Cardiovascular Health!

Buy Now!

⟨www.PeakNatural.com⟩

«SPONSORED»

Improving quality of life by giving up a quarter teaspoon

The largest randomized clinical trial of its kind, the study followed 806 patients at 26 medical centers across six countries. Every patient suffered from heart failure, a condition in which their hearts are too weak to pump their blood effectively.

Prior to the study, all participants consumed an average of 2,217 mg per day (or slightly less than one teaspoon). They were then assigned either to the “usual care group,” taking in an average of 2,072 mg of sodium daily, or a “nutritional guidance group,” consuming just 1,658 mg per day.

This was a reduction of just under a quarter teaspoon.

Not much, right?

So, how did the results stack up?

Let’s take a look…

While this slight reduction in sodium intake did not result in a statistically significant difference in rates of death from any cause, cardiovascular hospitalization or heart-related emergency department visits — the researchers did note big benefits in other areas…

They found consistent improvements for the low-sodium group using three different quality of life assessment tools, as well as the New York Heart Association heart failure classification — a measure of heart failure severity.

In fact, reducing salt intake resulted in improvements in symptoms such as swelling, fatigue and coughing, as well as better overall quality of life.

In other words, less salt meant less strain on the heart and a better life, if not a longer one.

“We can no longer put a blanket recommendation across all patients and say that limiting sodium intake is going to reduce your chances of either dying or being in hospital, but I can say comfortably that it could improve people’s quality of life overall,” said lead author Justin Ezekowitz, professor in the University of Alberta’s Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry and co-director of the Canadian VIGOUR Centre.

Peak Cardio Platinum^™

Research shows that by age 70, Nitric Oxide production declines by up to 75 percent! But supporting healthy N-O levels isn’t as easy as taking a nitric oxide pill. The body needs nutrients to produce N-O on its own — and that’s why… MORE⟩⟩

⟨www.PeakNatural.com⟩

«SPONSORED»

The easiest way to reduce your salt intake

So, if you’re living with heart failure, limiting your salt intake to ¾ teaspoon per day could be an important step in controlling your symptoms.

And the easiest way to do that is to avoid hidden sources of sodium including processed foods and restaurant meals.

“The broad rule that I’ve learned from dietitians is that anything in a bag, a box or a can generally has more salt in it than you would think,” said Ezekowitz.

Instead, cook at home whenever possible, using spices and herbs for added flavor.

And when you do need a bit of salt, stick with sea salt or Himalayan pink salt rather than traditional table salt, which lacks healthy trace minerals such as phosphorus and silicon.

Now if you don’t have heart failure and want to do whatever you can to avoid it, be sure to read about coffee’s secret but powerful impact on heart failure risk.

Sources:

Hold the salt: Study reveals how reducing sodium intake can help patients with heart failure – ScienceDaily

The post Heart failure: A little less salt, a lot more relief appeared first on Easy Health Options®.

I’m not sure how effective that kind of information is because it’s easy for us to assume those statistics are about someone else. Me? No way.

And when you see them too often it’s easy to become immune to them.

But unfortunately, from time to time, we’ll come across a statistic so startling, we’re compelled to just put it right out there — like this one…

In the general population, about three in every one hundred people aged 40 through 69 die prematurely.

What’s more, a recent study suggests that the number jumps up from three premature deaths per one hundred to four — simply by indulging in ONE particular habit.

That means four in 100 will lose their lives early — during a time when so much research is proving we have the potential to live so much longer by just taking up healthier habits…

Like, giving up the saltshaker.

Peak BP Platinum^™

Clinically-Tested Nutritients that Support Arterial Health and Blood Pressure!

Buy Now!

⟨www.PeakNatural.com⟩

«SPONSORED»

People who don’t add salt live longer

Based on a study published in July in the European Heart Journal, scientists assert that people who always add salt to their food have an increased risk of dying prematurely, compared to those who never or rarely added salt.

Professor Lu Qi of Tulane University School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine in New Orleans led the study.

The researchers analyzed data from 501,379 participants in the UK Biobank Study, a large-scale biomedical database containing in-depth health information from half a million participants.

When they entered the study, people were asked whether they added salt to their foods by choosing one of the following answers that best fit: never/rarely, sometimes, usually or always.

According to Professor Qi, “Adding salt to foods at the table is a common eating behavior that is directly related to an individual’s long-term preference for salty-tasting foods and habitual salt intake,” says Professor Qi. “In the Western diet, adding salt at the table accounts for 6-20 percent of total salt intake and provides a unique way to evaluate the association between habitual sodium intake and the risk of death.”

After adjusting for factors like age, smoking, physical activity and medical conditions, the researchers followed these people for an average of nine years, and the findings were significant…

People who always added salt to their food had a 28 percent increased risk of dying prematurely.

“To my knowledge, our study is the first to assess the relation between adding salt to foods and premature death,” says Professor Qi.  “It provides novel evidence to support recommendations to modify eating behaviors for improving health. Even a modest reduction in sodium intake, by adding less or no salt to food at the table, is likely to result in substantial health benefits, especially when it is achieved in the general population.”

Less salt, more years. I can get behind that.

Peak BP Platinum^™

We eat right and exercise to help maintain our blood pressure levels within a normal range. Sometimes it still just isn’t enough. But there are clinically-tested nutritional ingredients that support arterial health to help keep blood pressure levels… MORE⟩⟩

⟨www.PeakNatural.com⟩

«SPONSORED»

The many ways salt harms our health

How exactly does salt sabotage your health?

Most people know it’s associated with unhealthy blood pressure levels. But that’s just the start…

It can hurt your kidneys. That’s where it first begins to raise your blood pressure by causing fluid to build up in the kidneys. The National Kidney Foundation says that uncontrolled blood pressure is the number one cause of kidney failure, and it can occur in a relatively short period.

But you may not know that the condiment that raises your blood pressure also lowers your immune system response. Not good news in the age of COVID variants.

Salt also has surprising effects on the brain…

If you chronically ingest a lot of salt, you’ll have hyperactivation of vasopressin neurons in the brain. This mechanism can then induce excessive hypoxia, a scenario that could lead to tissue damage in the brain. In other words, a salty diet starves your brain of oxygen.

Additionally, salt decreases the body’s production of nitric oxide and that process appears to allow tau proteins to build up.

So no matter how you look at it, putting down that salt shaker can save your body and your brain as you age, and help you live a longer, healthier life.

You can limit salt by using flavorful and aromatic herbs, foods, and spices such as garlic, pepper, onion, celery, curcumin, turmeric, lemon juice, rosemary, cinnamon and many others.

These tasty alternatives also provide an abundance of health benefits, including increased antioxidant activity and inflammation control — essential if you’ve been consuming a high-salt diet.

If you’re a woman, you may have an added advantage that keeps salt from doing as much harm…

Research has found — that for women at least — a heart-healthy nutrient can lower blood pressure, even in salty diets, and are urging women everywhere to get more through their diet.

Sources:

Adding This Seasoning to Your Food Is Linked to 28% Increased Risk of Dying Prematurely — SciTechDaily

Adding salt to foods and hazard of premature mortality — European Heart Journal

The post Cut your risk of premature death 28% at the dinner table appeared first on Easy Health Options®.

For decades, it was believed to have something to do with your kidneys, but both doctors and researchers weren’t sure exactly what the connection was, leaving patients to begrudgingly ditch the salt (and likely take multiple medications) to combat high blood pressure.

Now, however, thanks to a ground-breaking study from scientists at Shinshu University, we finally know exactly why a salty diet and high blood pressure go hand in hand, as well as what can be done to help.

The anti-aging factor produced by your kidneys

The scientists at the center of the research were aware of one important factor that started them on the trail to the truth…

And that was this: In general, young people are less sensitive to salt and are unlikely to develop hypertension, whereas older people react worse to high sodium intake and are likely to develop hypertension.

So, the team used aging mice with that same higher salt sensitivity to get to the root of the problem.

And, it all came down to this.

The reason salt becomes a vehicle of hypertension as we age is that over time, our kidneys slow production of an anti-aging factor known as Klotho protein.

It’s a protein that plays a role in longevity, helps your muscles regenerate and helps to keep insulin in check.

Peak Organic Fermented Beets^™

It may not be a household word, but nitric oxide has been recognized in over 130,000 published scientific papers as a vital signaling molecule that keeps blood vessels healthy so they can perform as the body needs. But as you age, your cells produce less and… MORE⟩⟩

⟨www.PeakNatural.com⟩

«SPONSORED»

Low levels have already been linked to cognitive deficits and heart disease.

Now, the Shinshu scientists have found that those same low levels are also the answer to why eating a high-salt diet leads to high blood pressure since their results showed that Klotho deficiency combined with salt leads to vasoconstriction.

In other words, if you don’t have enough Klotho protein floating around and you eat too much salt, your blood vessels constrict, becoming tighter and tighter and causing your heart to pump harder and harder.

Boosting Klotho levels

The study also had some good news…

In addition to discovering the why behind the salt/hypertension connection, the researchers also found that Klotho supplementation could prevent the development of hypertension. Of course, their next step is to test this in humans.

But in the meantime, raising your Klotho levels could be helpful if you’re battling high blood pressure.

And although there’s not a Klotho supplement floating around out there, there are some ways to boost the protein naturally, including:

• Exercise — Studies show that Klotho levels increase following exercise.
• Cordyceps — This fungus has been found to increase the expression of the Klotho protein that is downregulated by Angiotensin II in hypertension.
• Gentian root — A supplement that could help stabilize the protein after its production to increase its expression.
• Probiotics — In aging mice, Acidophilus + L Lactis boosted klotho.

Just as important, be sure to avoid things that can lower klotho, like stress, inflammation and oxidative stress.

Sources:

High blood pressure and salt, anti-aging factor Klotho key — EurekAlert!

High-intensity physical exercise increases serum α-klotho levels in healthy volunteers — NCBI

Treating Systemic Klotho Deficiency — American Journal of Nephrology

Vitamin D receptor agonists increase klotho and osteopontin while decreasing aortic calcification in mice with chronic kidney disease fed a high phosphate diet — National Library of Medicine

[Effect of cordyceps sinensis extract on Klotho expression and apoptosis in renal tubular epithelial cells induced by angiotensin II] — National Library of Medicine

Identification of novel small molecules that elevate Klotho expression — NCBI

Life extension factor klotho enhances cognition — NCBI

Skeletal muscle as a regulator of the longevity protein, Klotho —– Frontiers in Physiology

Association between a functional variant of the KLOTHO gene and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, blood pressure, stroke, and longevity — National Library of Medicine

The post Klotho deficiency: The missing link between salt and hypertension appeared first on Easy Health Options®.

Research abounds that backs this up…

For example: a 2015 study looked at 4500 adults in Japan who had normal blood pressure at the beginning of the study. After following these people for three years and measuring their salt intake, about 23% (more than 1,000) developed high blood pressure.

The researchers concluded that yearly increases in sodium intake showed significant correlations with the yearly increase in systolic blood pressure.

Peak BP Platinum^™

We eat right and exercise to help maintain our blood pressure levels within a normal range. Sometimes it still just isn’t enough. But there are clinically-tested nutritional ingredients that support arterial health to help keep blood pressure levels… MORE⟩⟩

⟨www.PeakNatural.com⟩

«SPONSORED»

“Why do I love salt so much?”

If you’re one of those folks who loves salty food but knows it’s bad for you, here’s some news. It’s probably not that you’re willfully courting a stroke each time you sit down with that bowl of chips. It may be that you’ve inherited a taste for sodium.

According to 2016 research presented to the American Heart Association, people who carry a gene known as TAS2R38 have a heightened ability to taste bitterness in foods.

Researchers conducting the study suggest there is also evidence that individuals who taste bitterness more intensely may also taste salt more intensely, and enjoy it more, leading to higher consumption.

The study analyzed the diet habits of subjects with the TAS2R38 gene, as compared to those without it. Their findings showed that people with the gene were nearly twice as likely to eat more than the recommended daily limit of sodium.

So, how do you outsmart genetics and your taste buds, and control your sodium intake?

Spicy foods to the rescue

Not all of us love spicy foods. But growing evidence may encourage you to try adding some spice to your diet to curb those salt cravings, and boost your overall health.

A recently published study in the journal Hypertension demonstrates how spicy foods can shift our taste buds away from their craving for salt.

Brain scans of participants revealed that two areas of the brain – the insula and the orbitofrontal cortex — are stimulated by both salt and spiciness. Eating spicy food may ‘trick’ the brain into thinking it has tasted salty food, and so reduce the craving for salt over time.

One study in China that followed 500,000 people aged 30 to 79 for seven years found that those who ate spicy foods once a week were ten percent less likely to die during the study!

But won’t all that spicy food burn your mouth? Destroy your taste buds?

Peak BP Platinum^™

We eat right and exercise to help maintain our blood pressure levels within a normal range. Sometimes it still just isn’t enough. But there are clinically-tested nutritional ingredients that support arterial health to help keep blood pressure levels… MORE⟩⟩

⟨www.PeakNatural.com⟩

«SPONSORED»

Your tongue will be fine!

There are some misconceptions about eating spicy foods. Many people believe that very spicy foods destroy the taste buds. This belief probably stems from the action of the chemical capsaicin, the active ingredient in spicy peppers.

The pain receptors in our tongue react to this chemical the same way they’d react to heat, which is to numb the tongue temporarily and avoid pain. This leads many people to believe that the peppers have destroyed their taste buds. Not so!

Before you dive right in and throw the chili peppers into your stew, here are some tips for building more spice into your diet, healthfully and enjoyably.

1. Start small. Instead of jumping right in and cooking the spiciest recipe you can find, start by using ketchup with a few drops of Tabasco added, or some red pepper flakes to some of your favorite foods.
2. Turn up the heat…. slowly! Once you’ve grown accustomed to a bit of spice, try adding a bit more. Maybe throw in some chopped chiles (start with milder ones like poblanos or cubanelles). An occasional meal that leaves your mouth burning is OK. It’s like stretching a muscle … it’s got to hurt a little! But don’t make your meals uncomfortable. Find the heat sweet spot that you can tolerate.
3. Keep the right coolants at hand. Milk, sour cream, or other dairy products are the best coolants after eating something very spicy. That’s because capsaicin is fat-soluble, not water-soluble. This is why drinking water does nothing to relieve a mouth burning with spicy food.
4. Don’t force it. The more capsaicin you ingest, the stronger the reaction. So, take it slow, and see how well you tolerate small amounts. If you repeatedly have bad or painful digestive reactions after adding spice to your diet, then stop. It’s not right for your body.

Peak BP Platinum^™

Clinically-Tested Nutritients that Support Arterial Health and Blood Pressure!

Buy Now!

⟨www.PeakNatural.com⟩

«SPONSORED»

Beware sneaky sources of salt

Now you may think just a few passes of the salt shaker across your plate is not that bad, but are you considering all the salt that has already snuck into your meals? More than 40 percent of the salt we consume comes from just these ten foods, so be on the lookout:

1. Bread and rolls
2. Cold cuts and cured meats
3. Pizza
4. Fresh and processed poultry
5. Soups
6. Sandwiches
7. Cheese
8. Pasta Dishes
9. Meat mixed dishes, such as meatloaf with tomato sauce
10. Snacks, such as chips, pretzels and popcorn

The post The ‘mind trick’ that reduces salt cravings and stroke risk appeared first on Easy Health Options®.