Increase Potassium Intake
Low blood pressure may be achieved by increasing potassium consumption. In addition to mitigating the harmful effects of sodium on the body, potassium also reduces stress in blood vessels. Because potassium reduces the effects of sodium, eating foods high in potassium is crucial for controlling blood pressure, and ingesting more potassium results in more sodium being flushed out of the body. Moreover, potassium’s stress-reducing effects on blood vessel walls contribute to its effectiveness in reducing blood pressure.
Adults with blood pressure over 120/80 who are otherwise healthy should try to increase their dietary potassium intake. Patients with renal illness or any condition that affects how the body manages potassium and those on specific drugs are at risk for potassium toxicity. The inability of the kidneys to filter excess potassium from the blood increases the risk of a dangerously high level of the mineral in the body’s fluids. The choice to take extra potassium should be made in consultation with a physician.
While increasing potassium intake may help mitigate the effects of sodium on blood pressure, it is best used in tandem with other attempts to cut down on salt and adopt healthier eating and living habits for optimal results.
