Do you suffer from high blood pressure? Do you want to decrease your blood sugar levels and get back to living your life? There are many natural ways to accomplish this without the need for heavy medications or expensive treatments. Making adjustments to your lifestyle can make a huge difference in your health. With proper guidance and individual effort, you can naturally reduce the symptoms as well as the likelihood of suffering certain cardiovascular conditions, like high blood pressure. 

Take care of yourself:

One of the first steps you can take to lowering your blood pressure is to take better care of yourself mentally and physically. This may include making lifestyle adjustments such as: 

  • Lose weight and exercise: Increased weight means that your body is working harder to pump all of the blood through your body, and if you are gaining weight, it’s likely that you are engaging in any of the unhealthy behaviors as well. At ICCLI we offer a physician-supervised FIT in Your GENES® Weight Loss Program to help you with this journey.
  • Limit stress: We all know that stress causes high blood pressure. However, decreasing the amount of stress in your life takes a conscious effort. To battle daily stressors, consider taking up calming behaviors like yoga or meditation, but preferably try to remove or lessen the source of the stressors at its core. 
  • Get some sleep: This goes along with limiting stress. Relaxation is key to preventing exhaustion and negative attitudes.

Cut out those bad habits:

Negative habits that can be harmful to your health is counterproductive to your goals. By engaging in these risky behaviors you heighten your risk for a myriad of illnesses and diseases, high blood pressure included. Lower your intake or stop these actions as soon as possible if you want to take the first step to improve your health.

  • Stop smoking
  • Drink less caffeine
  • Limit alcohol intake significantly

Eat right:

You can’t live a life on the go if you don’t give your body the right fuel. Your choices of food during the day determines how your body gets its energy, and stocking it with the wrong kind of junk can only worsen your problem.

  • More potassium
  • More protein
  • Less sugar 
  • Less refined carbs
  • Less sodium
  • Less processed food
  • Less salt

Here is a list of food items that fit the above requirements and will be great additions to your blood-sugar-lowering diet:

  • Dark chocolate
  • Garlic
  • Spinach, broccoli, kale, and collards
  • Pumpkin, flax, and sunflower (unsalted)
  • Strawberries, blueberries, and blackberries
  • Salmon, sardines, mackerel
  • Oatmeal
  • Beets
  • Yogurt
  • Pistachios
  • Pomegranates
  • Olive oil
  • Legumes and beans

While making these changes may seem intimidating, know that do not have to do this alone. At Integrative Cardiology Center of Long Island (ICCLI), we believe in a treatment plan that is centered around you. Whether you are suffering from high blood pressure or any other cardiovascular conditions. Our number one goal is to set you up for success! To learn more about how we can help, contact us today to schedule your first appointment.