Picture this: you've got the sodium that is in your foods whether it is packaged foods, fast foods or fruits and veggies. Then you've got the potassium which has the job of pumping the sodium out of the cells in your body. So those minerals basically are performing a dance right within you.
They do have help: it is kind of like the United States government is supposed to have - a system of checks and balances. A lot of it depends on how much water is running through your kidneys and bloodstream, as well as how much sodium and potassium you've eaten.
Another component is the hormone aldosterone, working alongside 2 other hormones renin and angiotensin. They work with the potassium & sodium to keep everything in balance. When you have too much sodium, the aldosterone is released into your system and you get thirsty. Then you drink more water (hopefully). Having more water in your body actually does increase blood pressure. So basically, if you're trying to get your blood pressure lower, that is one reason right there to not have as much sodium.
Should you make the decision to NOT drink more water, your kidneys will hold onto the water that IS in your system. That's when you start having water retention and puffiness! You will then have less water running around your body which makes your blood thicker. Thicker blood equals higher blood pressure.
Where does the potassium enter the picture? Its main job is to pump the sodium out of your body's cells and to also help keep things in balance. You need to have enough potassium to do its' job. It also helps to keep the blood vessels toned which helps keep your numbers under control.
One very interesting fact about potassium is that without enough of it, you can become tired and depressed. Does that sound like anything you've felt lately?
If so, the best way to get this nutrient into your system is by eating foods rich in it. These would include red meats, fish, squash, bananas, raisins, and many more.
Getting it through food is recommended over taking a pill because the side effects from getting too much potassium are just too dangerous. They would include abnormal heart rhythms, poor kidney function, fatigue, and weakness. Note that fatigue is a side effect of both too much and too little potassium.
Because of those dangerous side effects, the highest supplement you can get over the counter is 99 mg. Another reason is that some heart medications are diuretics which can deplete potassium supply. The doctor knows this, so may already be including a back up for you.
The amount you are shooting for when planning your diet is 4700 mg per day. It used to be in the 2000 - 3000 mg per day range, but in 2004 the Institute of Medicine changed it because so many people were deficient in the mineral. Going over 5000 mg is where it starts to be too much.
If you are hypertensive, you should be aiming for about 1500 mg of sodium.
For even more information on potassium and tips on lowering your blood pressure, check my blog Plus if you'd like more help knowing what foods contain the most potassium as well as a comparison of sodium levels in various brands of foods, the ebook on the same page will help you out there.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/7632848
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