When I was diagonosed with high blood pressure this past fall I found myself always trying to find the best natural solutions to the problem. Of course I am taking the prescribed medicine to get it under control (doing great by the way), but always seeking better diet ideas as well as helping lower my stress levels, so I guess that is why an article regarding the benefits of celery and blood pressure caught my eye.

I love celery but normally only use it in making soups, stews, stir fries, etc. Unless I am at a party and dipping it into a veggie dip, I usually do not make a habit of eating it on a daily basis. But now that has changed as I have learned about the benefits of this extraordinary vegetable including the following facts:

a. According to a pilot study published in Natural Medical Journal, celery proves to have both antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties that help improve blood pressure, cholesterol levels and prevent heart disease. Just a small amount of this compound lowered blood pressure 12 to 14%.

b. We all know that arterial plaque that builds up on our arterial walls can be a problem. Apparently, celery contains a phytochemical called phthalides and it’s known to relax the tissues of the artery walls to increase blood flow and reduce blood pressure.

c. Celery is low in salt, high in fiber, magnesium and potassium, which also helps regulate blood pressure.

d. The magnesium in celery helps one stay calm; in fact eating celery at night can help you get a better night’s sleep.

e. Just 4 stalks a day (about a cup) is a great way to see progress in lowering your blood pressure.

I will mention that I always make sure that any celery we purchase is always organic just to stay away from potential toxins.

Fish or fish oil capsules are another helpful addition to a natural approach to lower blood pressure to as much as 10 points. It has even been discovered that when the protein in fish, methionine and taurine were added to the diet of hypertensive test animals, the stroke rate dropped from 90% to 20 percent! Just 6 oz. of oily fish several days of the week will suffice. If not interested in eating the fish, try this Omegaa-3 Fatty Acid supplement. I suggest one that is providing a full spectrum of seven ultra-pure, pharmaceutical-grade omega-3 essential fatty acids, naturally found in small, cold-water fish. Small size for easier swallowing.

Beets and beet juice have nitrates which are converted by your body into the gas nitric oxide. This then relaxes the small, smooth muscles in the walls of blood vessels, causing them to dilate. And beets are just as beneficial when roasted and steamed as fresh. Two foods with even higher rates of these helpful nitrates are kale and radishes. Other vegetables that contain them are lettuce, mustard greens, turnip tops, spinach, Chinese cabbage, regular cabbage, eggplant, leeks, scallions, potatoes, string beans, and carrots ~ all makings of a great salad!

I will continue my journey to find new ways to stay healthy. How about you? What are your health issues and how are you improving on them? For your own personal plan to feel better in 30 days go here.

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