Insulin and High Blood Pressure

Hypertension is called “the silent killer” as this condition can lead to stroke, heart attack, and even death without any symptoms. Medications and a low-salt diet are typically promoted for hypertension; however, if you find yourself without much improvement after following these recommendations then perhaps evaluating your carbohydrate intake could make a difference.

Why? Carbohydrate intake causes our pancreas to produce the hormone insulin. Insulin helps glucose get into our cells, namely our brain, heart, and muscles. However, too many carbohydrates will spur excess insulin to be produced in order to “keep up.” These excess carbohydrates will be stored as fat, particularly around our abdomen, hips, and thighs (also around our liver, fatty liver disease). Salt follows insulin. If you have too much insulin in your blood related to a high carbohydrate diet, salt will also be in excess. Excessive salt can cause blood vessel retention and high blood pressure.

By reducing carbohydrates, insulin also lowers, and so does your sodium level; thus, naturally lowering blood pressure.

Take care of yourself, your heart, and others.

Best–

K