2014年6月16日星期一

Top 7 Foods That Can Help Lower High Blood Pressure

High blood pressure is a "slient killer", which can cause many diseases. As we know, kidney disease is a common kidney disease for people, and high blood pressure is one of the leading cause of kidney disease. High blood pressure can also be a common symptom for kidney disease patients. so people need to control their high blood pressure well. 

here are the top 7 foods which can help lower the high blood pressure. 

1. leaf greens 

Foods high in potassium give you a better ratio of potassium to sodium. Improvements in this ratio can help with lowering blood pressure. Leafy greens like romaine lettuce, arugula, kale, turnip greens, collard greens, and spinach are high in potassium.
Try to opt for fresh or frozen greens, as canned vegetables often have added sodium. Frozen vegetables, on the other hand, contain just as many nutrients as they do when fresh and are easy to store. 
2. berries 
Berries, especially blueberries, are rich in natural compounds called flavonoids. One study published in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that consuming these compounds may prevent hypertension, and possibly help to reduce high blood pressure as well.
Blueberries, raspberries, and strawberries are easy to add to your diet. Put them on your cereal every morning. Keep frozen berries on hand for a quick and healthful dessert. 
3. potatoes
Potatoes are high in both potassium and magnesium, two minerals that can help to lower your blood pressure. They are also high in fiber, which is necessary for an overall healthy diet. Enjoy a baked potato as the centerpiece of your dinner. Instead of fattening and salty butter and sour cream, try adding plain yogurt or salsa for flavor.
4. beets 
Researchers at the Queen Mary University of London found that patients with high blood pressure saw significant improvements in blood pressure from drinking beetroot juice. The study authors concluded that it was the nitrates in the juice that brought down the participants’ blood pressure within just 24 hours.
You can juice your own beets or simply cook and eat the whole root. Beetroot is delicious when roasted or when added to stir-fries and stews. Remember to use caution when handling beets—their deep red color will stain your hands and clothes.
5. skim milk 
The DASH diet recommends increasing the amount of calcium-rich foods that you eat. Skim milk is an excellent source of calcium and is low in fat, another important element of a diet for lowering blood pressure.
Swap out your higher-fat milk for skim milk, or if you don’t care for milk, eat more low-fat or non-fat yogurt. Just watch out for those that are high in sugar. 
6. oatmeal 
High-fiber, low-fat, and low-sodium foods are just what you want for lowering your blood pressure, and oatmeal fits the bill. Oatmeal for your breakfast is a great way to charge up for the day.
On its own, oatmeal can be bland, but refrain from adding too much sugar. Instead, add fresh or frozen berries to sweeten it up, and maybe just a touch of honey.
7. bananas
Bananas are a great way to add potassium to your diet. Adding foods that are rich in this mineral to your diet is better than taking supplements, and it’s easy. Slice a banana into your breakfast cereal or oatmeal, or take one to work every day for a quick, easy, and inexpensive snack.




2014年6月12日星期四

Healthy Diet to Lower the High Creatinine Level

Kidney disease is a common disease nowadays, and the severe kidney damage will cause the high creatinine level easily.

Creatinine is the waste product of muscle metabolism, and it is mainly excreted by kidneys. When the kidneys are damaged severely, or the kidney function is less than 50%, the creatinie level wil be elevated, which will be harmful for kidney disease patients. so patients need to have effective treatment to lower the high creatinine level, and they also need to keep a healthy diet to lower the creatinine level.

1. Pay attention to protein intake

Meat contains high creatine which can increase the level of creatinine. Patients with high creatinine had better not eat too much meat. Protein-rich food such as fish, eggs, poultry, red meat should be avoided. Because creatine is found mainly in such high protein foods. Creatine can be broken into creatinine. However, protein is an essential substance for our body, so we should take in proper high quality protein, which contains eight kinds of amino acid that can not be compounded by ourselves, like fish, lean meat, milk, egg white, etc. How much protein should take depends on our state of illness. Generally speaking, 0.6g/kg per day is suggested. If you are vegetarian, I suggest you take two egg whites per day.

2. Foods with low sodium

Reduce the intake of sodium. Kidney’s damage results in excessive fluid and sodium building up in the body, and much sodium can cause patient to have high blood pressure and edema, so patient should choose foods that contain less sodium in his diet. Patients need to avoid salty foods, like pickles, bacon, potato soup, cheese sauce, etc.

3. Foods with high potassium and phosphorous

For patients whose creatinine level is high, their kidneys can not filter potassium and phosphorous out of body. If there is much potassium in patients’ body, patients should stay away from high potassium foods, for example: spinach, carrot, banana and orange. If patients with kidney failure suffer from hyperphosphatemia, they can not eat nut, red chili powder, chocolate, cheese, yellow bean, gingili. They need to eat foods contained high calcium, like meaty bone, tofu and dried small shrimps.

4. Foods containing much vitamins--vegetables and fruits

Vitamin is important for body function, for example, vitamin A is very important for our immunity, so it is very important for patient with high creatinine to take foods that contain abundant vitamins, like vegetables and fruits.

5. Foods that contains abundant calcium

Patients with kidney disease often have the shortage of calcium, which can cause severe renal osteopathy, so it is important for patient to take foods that can supply abundant calcium, like broccoli, blackberry, date fruit, etc.

6. Caffeine, alcoholic and carbonated beverages

Many people enjoy caffeine, alcoholic and carbonated beverages. Once your creatinine level elevates, you should avoid them, because they have a diuretic effect and may cause dehydration which in turn leads to elevated high creatinine. Fresh fruit juice and herbal tea are recommended.

7. Water

It is worth mentioning that patient with high creatinine and BUN should take much water if only patient do not have obvious edema, because water is good for patient’s kidney health.

8. Avoid doing strenuous physical activity.

Strenuous exercise can produce more creatinine and increase the level of creatinine.


Hope the information can help you live a healthy life.