Potassium Over Sodium Can Provide Better Health
By Tom Herrin
For most people, diet should be all about choice. When people go to a restaurant, they make selections from a menu. Some people choose according to what they feel like eating, others choose according to content. Some look for a balance between the two. One thing for certain is that many people have chosen their way into health problems that might have been avoidable otherwise. Being a more informed consumer can help to preserve health. Just like with children, making good choices early can help to cultivate a taste for the right foods. One of the biggest problems in diets today is sodium. It is found in so many preserved and fast foods that many people have grown accustomed to the flavor. It is a cheap way of hiding things or making foods that are less expensive.
Sodium Has A Reputation For Contributing to High Blood Pressure
Many people are well aware of a link between sodium, usually in salt, and an increase in blood pressure. They may not understand why, except they think it makes them thirsty and they drink more water. That is a good, simple explanation. The reality is that when the body has additional sodium, it will try to balance it out by retaining more water. This creates more work on the kidneys, adding extra wear. It also makes the heart work harder. This tends to be hard on the blood vessels, causing them to thicken.
It Is Believed to Lead to Some Diseases
There is some thought that people who take in too much salt may be more likely to develop stomach cancer. Something even more common with sodium as a possible contributor is osteoporosis. When there is too much sodium in the blood, it may cause a loss of calcium. The body, in turn, tries to replace this calcium in the blood by drawing it from the bones, reducing bone density.
Taking In More Potassium Can Provide Better Health
For the most part, many people choose too much sodium and too little potassium. The reverse of this is a much better choice. Potassium can help remove sodium and relax blood vessels. This can lower blood pressure. Learning to eat foods containing more potassium can make a real difference. Higher levels of potassium are found in many fresh fruits and vegetables. Practice eating from the good choices available, and you are likely to experience better health.
To learn more about your health and wellness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Berkeley, Calif.