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Reversing Hypertension »

Book cover image of Reversing Hypertension by Julian Whitaker

Authors: Julian Whitaker, Whitaker
ISBN-13: 9780446522861, ISBN-10: 0446522864
Format: Hardcover
Publisher: Hachette Book Group
Date Published: February 2000
Edition: (Non-applicable)

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Author Biography: Julian Whitaker

Book Synopsis

Using diet, nutritional supplements, exercise and other lifestyle changes, Dr Whitaker shows how to prevent or manage high blood pressure without recourse to drugs and their unwanted side effects.

Publishers Weekly

Offering a practical and engaging guide for anyone fighting high blood pressure, Whitaker (Reversing Diabetes, etc.), founder of the Whitaker Wellness Institute in Newport Beach, Calif., clearly explains what causes hypertension, how it's diagnosed and how to treat it. He focuses not just on the obvious causes, including poor diet and stress, but on lesser known factors such as thyroid problems and insulin resistance. Whitaker devotes the second half of the book to his program, which includes a regimen of diet and exercise along with consumption of vitamins and supplements, including garlic and Vitamin E. For those with dangerously high blood pressure, he advocates a two-week diet of vegetables, fruit and rice--a radical approach recommended only for severely ill patients. Most people with hypertension are able to eat a well-rounded, varied diet that is low in salt and includes very little dairy. Whitaker provides a list of fruits and vegetables permitted on his diet as well as a brief appendix of selected recipes. This is an informative and useful book for anyone who wants to control blood pressure primarily through diet and supplements rather than prescription medicine. (Feb.) Copyright 2000 Cahners Business Information.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgmentsxi
Introductionxiii
Part IHypertension and Its Related Risks1
Chapter 1Hypertension: Action Alert5
Measuring Blood Pressure7
Making the Diagnosis8
Check and Recheck Your Blood Pressure10
What Do You Do if You Have Hypertension?13
Chapter 2Understanding Blood Pressure15
The Pump and Pipes of the Cardiovascular System15
Pump, Pipes, and Blood Pressure19
Blood Pressure: The Rest of the Story21
Two Types of Hypertension25
Chapter 3Heart Attacks, Strokes, and Other Hazards of Hypertension28
Hypertension Wears Out the Heart29
Top Risk Factor for Stroke30
Hypertension and Your Brain31
High Blood Pressure Increases Risk of Kidney Disease32
Atherosclerosis and Arteriosclerosis: Causes or Results of Hypertension?33
Chapter 4The Primary Causes of Hypertension35
Obesity and Hypertension Go Hand in Hand36
Dietary Factors Contributing to Hypertension39
Stop Smoking and Live Longer44
Excess Alcohol Consumption Drives Up Blood Pressure46
Chronic Stress and Blood Pressure47
Chapter 5Less Obvious Causes of Hypertension49
Drugs That Raise Blood Pressure50
High Blood Pressure as a Symptom of a Poisoned Planet53
Risk Factors Beyond Your Control55
Chapter 6Insulin Resistance: An Underlying Cause of Hypertension61
Understanding Insulin Resistance64
How Insulin Resistance Raises Blood Pressure65
Dietary Aspects of Insulin Resistance65
Obesity and Insulin Resistance67
Other Causes of Insulin Resistance68
Insulin Resistance, Cardiovascular Disease, and Diabetes69
What to Do About Insulin Resistance70
Chapter 7The Dangers of Antihypertensive Drugs71
All Drugs Have Side Effects73
Antihypertensive Drugs and Their Side Effects74
Diuretics Cause Nutrient Losses75
Beta-Blockers Weaken the Heart78
ACE Inhibitors Block the Formation of Angiotensin80
Calcium Channel Blockers Relax the Blood Vessels82
Other Drugs for Hypertension84
In Summary86
Part IISafe, Effective Natural Therapies for Hypertension89
Chapter 8Salt and Potassium: Dynamic Duo for Healthy Blood Pressure93
A Tale of Two Minerals94
The Power of Potassium96
How Much Sodium?98
Salt Sensitives, Beware99
How Do You Get the Potassium You Need?100
In Summary103
Chapter 9Magnesium, Calcium, and Other Beneficial Minerals104
Magnificent Magnesium105
Magnesium Protects Against Insulin Resistance107
Calcium, Hypertension, and Insulin Resistance108
Trace Minerals Against Hypertension110
In Summary113
Chapter 10Nutritional Supplements Against Hypertension115
Who Needs Nutritional Supplements?117
How Free Radicals Affect Blood Pressure119
Antioxidants for Your Cardiovascular System120
B-Complex Vitamins: Power Against Hypertension125
Essential Fatty Acids Help Normalize Blood Pressure127
Coenzyme Q10 for Hypertension130
Arginine: An Amino Acid for the Heart131
Herbs That Lower Blood Pressure132
Putting Together a Nutritional Supplement Program135
Chapter 11The Whitaker Wellness Diet for High Blood Pressure138
The DASH Study: Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension140
The Health Benefits of a Plant-Based Diet141
The Whitaker Wellness Diet for High Blood Pressure146
Glycemic Guidelines152
Let Diet Make a Difference in Your Life155
Your Guide to Eating Out164
In Summary165
Chapter 12The Hypertension-Water Connection166
The Hazards of Dehydration167
Another Reason to Avoid Diuretics169
Make Sure You Drink Enough Water170
Make Sure Your Water Is Clean171
In Summary173
Chapter 13Exercise Your Way to Healthier Blood Pressure174
How Exercise Reduces Blood Pressure175
Exercise Improves Insulin Resistance177
Don't Fear Exercise-Induced Hypertension178
Design Your Own Personalized Exercise Program179
How to Begin a Walking Program181
How to Make Exercise a Part of Your Life185
In Summary187
Chapter 14Reduce the Stress in Your Life--and Your Blood Pressure189
How Stress Raises Blood Pressure190
Chronic Stress and Hypertension192
Stress and "Pre-Hypertension"193
Tips on How to Manage Stress194
In Summary204
Chapter 15Additional Therapies for Hypertension205
EECP Dramatically Improves Circulation206
Reverse Atherosclerosis with EDTA Chelation Therapy209
Lower Blood Pressure the Ancient Chinese Way211
In Summary212
Chapter 16Get Started Now!213
Work with Your Physician216
Get Nutrition Insurance with Nutritional Supplements216
Balance Your Minerals217
Reduce Your Body Fat217
Stop These Unhealthy Habits218
Eat (Low-Glycemic), Drink (Water), and Be Healthy218
Exercise Your Body, Mind, and Spirit219
Try EECP, Chelation Therapy, and/or Acupuncture219
Congratulations on Your Commitment to Optimal Health220
Appendix AAntihypertensive Drugs221
Appendix BKeeping Track of Your Blood Pressure224
Appendix CThe Whitaker Wellness Diet for High Blood Pressure: Two-Week Menu Plan and Recipes225
Appendix DHow to Monitor Your Blood Pressure with a Sphygmomanometer252
Appendix EResources254
Alternative Medicine Organizations255
Compounding Pharmacies255
Health Information256
Information on Specific Therapies256
Products257
Recommended Reading257
Glossary259
References267
Index297

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