Dietary therapy principles and traditional Chinese medicine for hypertension

10. Dietary therapy for hypertension

Dietary therapy is the foundation of hypertension treatment. For patients with mild hypertension, adjusting their diet can help control blood pressure.

Blood pressure may return to normal, and medication may not be necessary for the time being. For patients with moderate to severe hypertension, medication may be required.

In addition to treatment, dietary therapy must be used to achieve the desired blood pressure lowering effect.

The principles of dietary treatment for hypertension are: low salt, low fat, low cholesterol, low calories, and high vitamins.

It is high in nutrients, fiber, calcium, and potassium.

1. Limit sodium intake: Sodium is a significant factor in raising blood pressure; limiting sodium intake can significantly reduce blood pressure.

This helps lower blood pressure. It is recommended that each person limit their daily salt intake to less than 6 grams. Pay attention to reducing the use of soy sauce and other salty foods.

Intake of hidden salt from vegetables, MSG, fermented bean curd, etc.

2. Control total calorie intake: Obesity is a significant risk factor for hypertension; weight loss can effectively lower blood pressure.

Low blood pressure. Control your intake of staple foods, eat less sweets and sugary drinks, and appropriately increase your exercise to lose weight.

Keep it within the ideal range.

3. Increase your intake of potassium, calcium, and magnesium: Potassium promotes sodium excretion and has a blood pressure-lowering effect. (Potassium-containing foods are recommended.)

Foods rich in calcium include bananas, oranges, potatoes, mushrooms, and seaweed. Calcium can reduce vascular tension.

It helps lower blood pressure. Foods rich in calcium include milk, soy products, and dried shrimp. Magnesium can dilate peripheral blood vessels.

Magnesium has a blood pressure-lowering effect. Foods rich in magnesium include leafy green vegetables, nuts, and whole grains.

4. Reduce fat and cholesterol intake: Eat less animal fat, fatty meat, egg yolks, fish roe, and crab.

Avoid high-cholesterol foods such as offal and animal organs. Choose vegetable oils such as soybean oil and peanut oil.

Corn oil, etc., should not be used more than 25 grams per day.

5. Eat more fruits and vegetables: Fruits and vegetables are rich in vitamins, minerals, and dietary fiber, which are beneficial.

To control blood pressure, it is recommended to eat more than 500 grams of vegetables and 200-300 grams of fruit daily.

XI. Traditional Chinese Medicines with Antihypertensive Effects

Traditional Chinese medicine plays an important role in the treatment of hypertension, as it has a mild antihypertensive effect and few side effects.

Advantages include small dosage and suitability for long-term use. Commonly used traditional Chinese medicines for lowering blood pressure include:

1. Compound Apocynum Venetum Tablets: Composed of Apocynum Venetum, Chrysanthemum indicum, Stephania tetrandra, etc., it has the functions of clearing heat and calming the mind.

It has liver-protective, antihypertensive, and diuretic effects. It is suitable for hypertension of the liver-yang hyperactivity type, with symptoms such as dizziness, headache, and irritability.

For those prone to anger. Take 2 tablets orally, 3 times a day.

2. Niuhuang Jiangya Wan (牛黄降压丸): Composed of bezoar, antelope horn, pearl, borneol, etc., it has the function of clearing heat and calming the mind.

It has the effects of clearing phlegm, calming the liver, and lowering blood pressure. It is suitable for hypertension of the heart and liver fire type, with symptoms such as dizziness, vertigo, and irritability.

For those who suffer from insomnia. Take 1-2 pills orally once daily.

3. Zhenju Antihypertensive Tablets: Composed of pearl powder, wild chrysanthemum extract powder, rutin, hydrochlorothiazide, etc.

It has a blood pressure lowering effect. Suitable for all types of hypertension. Oral administration: 1 tablet each time, 2-3 times daily.

4. Blood Pressure Lowering and Wind-Avoiding Tablets: Composed of Scutellaria baicalensis, Sophora japonica fruit, peanut branches and leaves, etc., it has the functions of clearing heat and calming the liver.

It has a blood pressure lowering effect. Suitable for early-stage hypertension. Oral administration: 3-5 tablets each time, twice daily.

5. Hawthorn Antihypertensive Tablets: Composed of hawthorn, chrysanthemum, kudzu root, etc., it has the functions of promoting blood circulation, removing blood stasis, and clearing heat.

It has a blood pressure lowering effect. Suitable for individuals with hypertension and hyperlipidemia. Oral administration: 4 tablets each time, 3 times daily.

When using traditional Chinese medicine to treat hypertension, it should be selected under the guidance of a doctor based on syndrome differentiation, and should not be taken blindly for a long period of time.

Use. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has a mild effect and a slower onset of action; therefore, it often needs to be combined with Western antihypertensive drugs for those with high blood pressure.

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12. Healthy Diet Plan for Patients with Hypertension

A varied and nutritionally balanced diet is essential for people with hypertension. Below are some recommended dishes suitable for those with high blood pressure.

Dietary recommendations for patients with hypertension:

1. Celery and Dried Tofu Salad: 250g celery, 50g dried tofu. Wash and cut the celery into sections, then...

Blanch the tofu in boiling water, then slice it into strips and mix with sesame oil, salt, and MSG. This dish is believed to have liver-soothing, heat-clearing, and detoxifying properties.

The effect of pressure.

2. Kelp and Winter Melon Soup: 50g kelp, 200g winter melon. Soak the kelp until softened and cut into pieces. Peel the winter melon.

Slice the ingredients and cook them in a soup, seasoning with a little salt and sesame oil. This soup has diuretic, blood pressure-lowering, phlegm-reducing, and hardened texture effects.

3. Stir-fried Shiitake Mushrooms and Bok Choy: 50g shiitake mushrooms, 200g bok choy. Soak the shiitake mushrooms until softened and slice them; wash the bok choy.

Cut into sections, stir-fry in vegetable oil, and season with salt. It has the effects of lowering blood lipids and blood pressure, and enhancing immunity.

4. Peanuts soaked in vinegar: Soak 200 grams of raw peanuts in vinegar for at least 7 days, consuming them morning and evening.

Take 10 pills each. It has the effect of softening blood vessels and lowering blood pressure.