Is High Blood Pressure Giving You Higher Blood Pressure?

The most commonly diagnosed medical condition in the United States is high blood pressure, which is called “hypertension” in medical jargon.  Guess what?  That means multiple blood pressure medications are among the top 10 most commonly prescribed drugs. Of course these medications are needed sometimes, especially in emergency situations.  However, these medications can cause undesirable side effects.  At Oasis Family Medicine, we find it’s better to address the underlying causes of high blood pressure.

First, why should you be concerned about high blood pressure? Because high blood pressure increases the risk of heart attack, heart failure, kidney failure, diabetes and peripheral vascular disease.

Check THIS out… 30% of the population has high blood pressure, and ANOTHER 30% has pre-hypertension. 

Diet and lifestyle changes are the most effective approach according to study after study after study after study after study… you get the drift :)

Instead of treating symptoms with drugs, address the actual causes of high blood pressure for better health that is lasting.  Studies have shown that lifestyle changes alone can reduce risk of heart disease by a dramatic 90%!  How much was that?! 90%!  

Regular exercise is one of the best ways known to control high blood pressure. Other important factors include a whole foods diet rich in plant fiber and low in sugar and sodium, maintaining a healthy weight, not smoking, and managing stress.  Managing stress is very important and is beneficially managed through activities like yoga, meditation, walking, and laughter.

At Oasis Family Medicine, we look for WHY the person has high blood pressure rather than simply at what can be done to lower it; it’s a person-centered approach, versus a disease-centered one. Aside from the lifestyle habits just mentioned, other factors to consider include genetic predispositions, nutritional deficiencies, and environmental triggers, such as:

• Deficiencies in nutrients like potassium, taurine, biotin, vitamin D, vitamin C, vitamin B1, choline, magnesium and CoQ10.

• Too much sodium without balancing it with other minerals, especially potassium.

• Magnesium deficiency. Most people (around 70-95% of the U.S. population) are deficient in magnesium, which can help relax the blood vessels.

• Toxic levels of certain heavy metals, especially mercury.

• Chronic systemic inflammation.

• Elevated blood sugar, including diabetes and pre-diabetes.

• Hormonal imbalances can lead to high blood pressure.

We at Oasis Family Medicine address the ROOT CAUSE of high blood pressure by addressing these factors.  Word of caution: Please don’t just go buy all of the aforementioned nutrients and expect them to work as they must be in the right form and balanced appropriately with other nutrients to obtain optimal benefits.

I hope you found this useful and as always, please feel free to help a friend or family member by passing this video along to someone who might have high blood pressure, or even pre-hypertension.

Again, if you want to make sure you get these helpful health tips on a weekly basis, please subscribe to this blog or this video. Be sure to watch at 2:50 where I mention some key nutrients!

Medical Disclaimer: Information provided in this article is for informational purposes only. The information is a result of years of practice and experience by Yoshi Rahm, DO. However, this information is NOT intended as a substitute for the advice provided by your physician or other healthcare professional, or any information contained on or in any product label or packaging. 

Do not use the information provided in this article for diagnosing or treating a health problem or disease, or prescribing medication or other treatment. Always speak with your physician or other healthcare professional before taking any medication or nutritional, herbal or homeopathic supplement, or using any treatment for a health problem. If you have or suspect that you have a medical problem, contact your health care provider promptly. Do not disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking professional advice because of something you have read in this article.

Information provided in this article and the use of any products or services related to this article by you DOES NOT create a doctor-patient relationship between you and Yoshi Rahm, DO or any other physician featured in this article. Information and statements regarding dietary supplements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

Mass Public Shootings Will Increase

Why?  Because of diet, specifically BCDS…

My theory is that BCDS (B-Complex Deficiency Syndrome) is to blame (at least partially).  B-complex is for multiple B-vitamins.  I can’t believe how often I hear that diet “has nothing to do behavior” or “my kid’s doctor said that what I feed him has nothing to do with why he’s acting out”.  Mind boggling to me.  Truly.  The SAD (Standard American Diet) is filled with mostly what I call “nonfoods” like refined and processed carbohydrates and sugar which are nearly devoid of any healthy naturally derived B vitamins (ie. Cereal and pasteurized homogenized milk for breakfast, then chips for a snack, then sugary peanut butter sandwich for lunch).

In young people, BCDS (B-Complex Deficiency Syndrome) leads to emotional problems.  In the young, one of the first signs of BCDS are in the brain and are emotional.  Physiology textbooks explain that vitamin B deficiency in young people can start out as depression then turn to anxiety, irritability, nervousness, fatigue, then severe depression, paranoia, hostility, rage, and overwhelming fear.  Some might say it’s a stretch to blame mass public shootings by more and more teenagers on BCDS, but I don’t think so.  I do not believe the answer to this is more antidepressants and psychotropic drugs.  The crazy part is that all these fear-based feelings are often not even the kids' fault because they don’t know any better.

If you know or own a troubled young person, please encourage them to eat real food and at least consider a whole food based B-complex (NOT a B complex derived from synthetic sources, as this will only make the problem worse after a short improvement!!!!).  A great example is Cataplex B from Standard Process.  6-9 capsules every day.  If the young person is more on the agitated mental side with ADD or ADHD, make sure to also add the calming portion of the B complex which is vitamin G and is found in Standard Process’ Cataplex G.  Take 4-6 capsules every day.  These will make a difference when it comes to emotional health.

Sadly, I don’t see change immediately on the horizon, since millions of people are employed in the processed and fast-food industries, fast food concoctions taste amazing, much money exists in the business of making these nonfoods, and physicians are still prescribing the absurd low-fat diet.  No gun control, background checks, mental health facilities, drugs, or anything else commonly prescribed is going to lift a young person out of a dark place until nutrition is understood and addressed as being hugely related to emotional problems.

I am still optimistic, though, because simply improving the nutritional status of young people will make a monstrous difference. Let me be clear that mental health is much more than just B vitamins; but I am also clear that B vitamins from a whole food source is pertinent to anyone’s mental health.  So, from a B complex standpoint, buy real foods, encourage consumption of said foods, or at least consider B complex supplementation from a real whole foods source.

If you know anyone who is in a dark emotional state or know anyone who owns anyone in this state, please pass this along.  Maybe YOU can help them by doing so.


Medical Disclaimer: Information provided in this blog is for informational purposes only. The information is a result of years of practice and experience by Yoshi Rahm, DO. However, this information is NOT intended as a substitute for the advice provided by your physician or other healthcare professional, or any information contained on or in any product label or packaging.

Do not use the information provided in this blog for diagnosing or treating a health problem or disease, or prescribing medication or other treatment. Always speak with your physician or other healthcare professional before taking any medication or nutritional, herbal or homeopathic supplement, or using any treatment for a health problem. If you have or suspect that you have a medical problem, contact your health care provider promptly. Do not disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking professional advice because of something you have read in this blog.

Information provided in this blog and the use of any products or services related to this blog by you DOES NOT create a doctor-patient relationship between you and Yoshi Rahm, DO. or any other physician featured in this blog. Information and statements regarding dietary supplements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.