Did you know?
Low blood pressure can be just as big a problem for people as high blood pressure, but you'll almost never hear a doctor mention it as an issue if your blood pressure is low. This is because having low blood pressure makes you less at risk of heart attacks, but low blood pressure can also be a direct cause of a bunch of symptoms you definitely don't want to have dragging you down.
Low blood pressure is intimately tied to digestion, dietary choices and electrolyte levels. Most people with low blood pressure need to do two very important things. Fix their digestion and take steps to correct their electrolyte deficiency.
Low blood pressure is intimately tied to digestion, dietary choices and electrolyte levels. Most people with low blood pressure need to do two very important things. Fix their digestion and take steps to correct their electrolyte deficiency.
What is an Electrolyte Deficiency?
The electrolyte state is defined by blood pressure. (Though other portions of the test determine the electrolyte state as well, like conductivity/MS) . When blood pressure is low, it's often a reflection of low mineral content in the system. When the minerals level decrease, it is a reflection of a decrease in your salt levels as well (or the system being too dilated, or open). Our mineral content not only comes from actual salt but from our food. If your digestion is not working properly, you can’t assimilate the minerals from the food you’re eating and the mineral content in the system decreases. (Read more about Digestion). A hormonal issue in which an individual doesn't make enough anti-diuretic hormone from the post-pituitary gland can also cause electrolytes to decrease because the person will pee out most of their salts.
Very few doctors will ever complain about your blood pressure being low. Since there is no drug for low blood pressure, the ramifications are not in their training. We all know that high blood pressure can cause heart attacks and strokes (Blow-outs). When they say your blood pressure is great even though it’s too low, they’re saying that you’ll never have a blow out. But is it fun to run around on flat tires all day?
120 over 80 is said to be the optimal blood pressure reading.
So, if 140 over 90 is considered high blood pressure, wouldn't having those numbers off by the same amount in the other direction be considered low blood pressure? Wouldn't a reading of 100 over 65 be considered low?
The minerals, or salts, in the system represent the conductivity, or ability for electricity to flow through the system. When the mineral content is low, there's no spark and energy can be low. Without this energy, the brain can't function at it's full potential because of the lack of minerals required for signals to travel through. Many people with depression and even mental illness are just cases where there is not enough mineral in the system and there's not enough spark to give the brain what it needs to function correctly, or there is not enough mineral to control blood pH sufficiently.
Very few doctors will ever complain about your blood pressure being low. Since there is no drug for low blood pressure, the ramifications are not in their training. We all know that high blood pressure can cause heart attacks and strokes (Blow-outs). When they say your blood pressure is great even though it’s too low, they’re saying that you’ll never have a blow out. But is it fun to run around on flat tires all day?
120 over 80 is said to be the optimal blood pressure reading.
So, if 140 over 90 is considered high blood pressure, wouldn't having those numbers off by the same amount in the other direction be considered low blood pressure? Wouldn't a reading of 100 over 65 be considered low?
The minerals, or salts, in the system represent the conductivity, or ability for electricity to flow through the system. When the mineral content is low, there's no spark and energy can be low. Without this energy, the brain can't function at it's full potential because of the lack of minerals required for signals to travel through. Many people with depression and even mental illness are just cases where there is not enough mineral in the system and there's not enough spark to give the brain what it needs to function correctly, or there is not enough mineral to control blood pH sufficiently.
Symptoms of Low Blood Pressure / Electrolyte Deficiency
- Depression
- Fatigue
- Lack of Energy
- Digestive Problems
- Mental Disorders
- Strong Cravings for sweet, salty or foods with carbs.
- Insomnia
- Headaches
- Loss of Coordination
F.A.Q.'s
1. I’ve always been taught that salt is bad for you so I avoid it. Everybody knows that. What’s the matter with you?
A: Though the average table salt is processed in a fashion that is not totally healthful, a nice, unrefined sea salt can still be beneficial to someone who has a very low mineral content. Yes, if someone has high blood pressure and their mineral content is already too high, then salt could make them worse. But these people usually are not drinking enough water or they have another imbalance that is keeping their system from cleaning minerals out of the system and they’re holding on to it all. Rarely would someone have high blood pressure simply by adding salt to their food. The best bet, if your mineral content is low, is to use a natural Celtic sea salt found at a health food store like Whole Foods.
2. But I eat a lot of vegetables, how can I have a low mineral content?
A: Well, first of all, just because you’re eating it, doesn’t mean that you’re digesting it. If your body can’t assimilate the nutrients, then they don’t go into the system. Read more about Digestion. Beyond that, if you’re buying conventionally grown produce, you’ll receive very little minerals from that food. Because of the chemicals and soil used to grow produce conventionally, it’s literally void of most of the mineral and nutrients that our bodies require. A pretty safe bet, believe it or not, is organic, frozen vegetables. They’re ripened on the vine and frozen immediately. “Fresh” produce is often picked 2 weeks before you buy it and survived by cannibalizing itself of its nutrients; it is also gassed to make it look appetizing. So, organic, frozen or locally-grown produce is your best bet unless you just want it to look pretty. (Not that freezing doesn't represent a compromise, it's just a better compromise than being picked before it's ripe.)
3. Why don’t I have any energy?
A: Well, if a toaster isn’t working, what’s the first thing you check? Is it plugged in? Is it getting electricity. Same goes for people. Our mineral content is what conducts the electricity that gives the spark that makes things happen. Without proper mineral levels, conductivity is low and so is the body’s activities and your energy.
4. Why do I crave sweet or salty things and carbs?
A: If your sugars are real low, you can have seizures. If your salts (electrolytes) are real low, you can have seizures. If your salts and sugars are low, you're pretty much going to have seizures. But if one is low, your body can buffer the deficiency by increasing the other one. With low salts (electrolyte deficiency), your body might send signals to crave sugar or even salts or carbs. It's not an "emotional" craving, your body just knows what it needs to do to keep you from having seizures. Once your electrolyte deficiency is improved, your cravings for sweet, salty or refined carb-type foods should go down. Correcting digestion will help your body to assimilate the nutrients it requires to correct this issue.
A: Though the average table salt is processed in a fashion that is not totally healthful, a nice, unrefined sea salt can still be beneficial to someone who has a very low mineral content. Yes, if someone has high blood pressure and their mineral content is already too high, then salt could make them worse. But these people usually are not drinking enough water or they have another imbalance that is keeping their system from cleaning minerals out of the system and they’re holding on to it all. Rarely would someone have high blood pressure simply by adding salt to their food. The best bet, if your mineral content is low, is to use a natural Celtic sea salt found at a health food store like Whole Foods.
2. But I eat a lot of vegetables, how can I have a low mineral content?
A: Well, first of all, just because you’re eating it, doesn’t mean that you’re digesting it. If your body can’t assimilate the nutrients, then they don’t go into the system. Read more about Digestion. Beyond that, if you’re buying conventionally grown produce, you’ll receive very little minerals from that food. Because of the chemicals and soil used to grow produce conventionally, it’s literally void of most of the mineral and nutrients that our bodies require. A pretty safe bet, believe it or not, is organic, frozen vegetables. They’re ripened on the vine and frozen immediately. “Fresh” produce is often picked 2 weeks before you buy it and survived by cannibalizing itself of its nutrients; it is also gassed to make it look appetizing. So, organic, frozen or locally-grown produce is your best bet unless you just want it to look pretty. (Not that freezing doesn't represent a compromise, it's just a better compromise than being picked before it's ripe.)
3. Why don’t I have any energy?
A: Well, if a toaster isn’t working, what’s the first thing you check? Is it plugged in? Is it getting electricity. Same goes for people. Our mineral content is what conducts the electricity that gives the spark that makes things happen. Without proper mineral levels, conductivity is low and so is the body’s activities and your energy.
4. Why do I crave sweet or salty things and carbs?
A: If your sugars are real low, you can have seizures. If your salts (electrolytes) are real low, you can have seizures. If your salts and sugars are low, you're pretty much going to have seizures. But if one is low, your body can buffer the deficiency by increasing the other one. With low salts (electrolyte deficiency), your body might send signals to crave sugar or even salts or carbs. It's not an "emotional" craving, your body just knows what it needs to do to keep you from having seizures. Once your electrolyte deficiency is improved, your cravings for sweet, salty or refined carb-type foods should go down. Correcting digestion will help your body to assimilate the nutrients it requires to correct this issue.
Steps that could help...
1. Buy a blood pressure cuff. A good one will only run you about $50-$60. My favorite types are the ones from "Reli-on" that have an “easy wrap cuff” so you can use it on yourself. The wrist ones are okay but generally measure a little low and are not as accurate in my experience.
If you want to correct this problem, it will help to know what your progress is so you know what’s working. Try to test your resting blood pressure, 2-3 hours after a meal at least twice a week to watch your progress.
2. Add an appropriate salt product to your diet. Either 1) Celtic Sea Salt (Unrefined Sea Salt) or 2) Pink Himalayan salt.
3. Take steps to correct any digestive issues you may be experiencing. If you are not effectively digesting proteins and fats due to faulty digestion then you will likely remain stuck in the electrolyte deficient state because your body will be forced to burn through carbohydrates too quickly to maintain adequate blood sugar levels, and that will have a direct, negative impact on your blood electrolyte levels. Our free course on correcting digestive issues will help you accomplish this step.
4. Eat small, frequent meals throughout the day that contain protein and fat in them.
5. Avoid high glycemic sugars like fruit juices, vegetable juices, refined sugar, refined flour, starchy vegetables like potatoes and white rice, soda, coconut water and honey.
6. Add Concentrace Trace Mineral Drops to your water - usually about 15-20 drops per liter, 2-3 times a day.
If you want to correct this problem, it will help to know what your progress is so you know what’s working. Try to test your resting blood pressure, 2-3 hours after a meal at least twice a week to watch your progress.
2. Add an appropriate salt product to your diet. Either 1) Celtic Sea Salt (Unrefined Sea Salt) or 2) Pink Himalayan salt.
3. Take steps to correct any digestive issues you may be experiencing. If you are not effectively digesting proteins and fats due to faulty digestion then you will likely remain stuck in the electrolyte deficient state because your body will be forced to burn through carbohydrates too quickly to maintain adequate blood sugar levels, and that will have a direct, negative impact on your blood electrolyte levels. Our free course on correcting digestive issues will help you accomplish this step.
4. Eat small, frequent meals throughout the day that contain protein and fat in them.
5. Avoid high glycemic sugars like fruit juices, vegetable juices, refined sugar, refined flour, starchy vegetables like potatoes and white rice, soda, coconut water and honey.
6. Add Concentrace Trace Mineral Drops to your water - usually about 15-20 drops per liter, 2-3 times a day.
