Causes and Solutions for Hypertension

Types of Hypertension

• Primary (Essential) Hypertension:
  • Accounts for 95% of cases.
  • Cause is unknown.
  • Linked to lifestyle factors (e.g., salt, smoking, alcohol).
• Secondary Hypertension:
  • Caused by underlying conditions like kidney disease or tumors.

Main Causes of Hypertension

1. Insulin Resistance and Hyperinsulinemia

• Insulin Resistance:
  • Pancreas produces more insulin due to resistance.
  • High insulin levels stimulate the sympathetic nervous system, increasing blood pressure.
  • Insulin causes arterial stiffness.
• Testing:
  • HOMA-IR test recommended for insulin resistance and fasting insulin levels.
  • High insulin linked to prediabetes and type 2 diabetes.

2. Low Potassium Levels

• Role of Potassium:
  • Essential for blood pressure regulation.
  • Normal insulin function necessary for potassium absorption.
• Dietary Needs:
  • Need 4,700 mg of potassium daily.
  • High sodium, low potassium intake common.
• Solution:
  • Increasing potassium intake can help reduce blood pressure.

3. Low Vitamin D Levels

• Vitamin D's Effect:
  • Influences blood pressure regulation.
  • Widespread deficiency correlates with hypertension.
• Supplementation:
  • Recommended to take at least 20,000 IUs of vitamin D.
  • Results may take a few days.

4. Low Magnesium Levels

• Magnesium's Role:
  • Electrolyte that relaxes blood vessels.
  • Works with potassium and vitamin D.
• Food Sources:
  • Found in foods rich in potassium.
• Deficiency Effects:
  • Lack of magnesium causes vessel stiffness, raising blood pressure.

5. Low Vitamin K2 Levels

• Vitamin K2 and Calcium:
  • Keeps calcium out of arteries.
  • Deficiency can lead to arterial stiffness.
• Sources:
  • Found in fatty foods; deficiency common in low-fat diets.
• Impact of Statins:
  • Statin drugs can inhibit vitamin K2 effects.

Dietary Recommendations

• Healthy Keto and Intermittent Fasting:
  • Support healthy lifestyle and insulin levels.
  • Reduces carbohydrate intake.
  • Intermittent fasting particularly effective for lowering insulin.
  • Combination of keto and intermittent fasting is beneficial.

Important Note

• Medical Advice:
  • Do not replace medical care or stop medications without consulting a doctor.

Resources and Support

• Keto Consultant:
  • Available for questions about keto diet.
  • Currently available to U.S. residents only.