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Copyright: 2005 Marilyn Pokorney

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Eating celery regularly can control high blood pressure
without the use of drugs according to China's Hunan
Hemotological Research Center.

Celery contains a naturally occurring chemical called
"apigenin" which has been shown to dilate the blood vessels
and contribute to preventing high blood pressure. Celery
also contains very small amounts of a chemical in called 3-
n-butylphtalide (3nb) which lowers blood pressure by
relaxing the smooth muscles that line the blood vessels.
3nb also lowers the level of stress hormones called
catacholamines.

In the Middle East patients have routinely been given half a
pound of celery a day to control hypertension. According to
researchers at the University of Chicago, animals fed celery
extracts had blood pressure readings 14 percent lower than
those animals who did not receive the extracts. The animals
were given the equivalent of 2 stalks daily. Systolic blood
pressure readings went down an average of 15 points.

Compared to other vegetables celery has a nigh natural
sodium content so it can satisfy the craving for salt on
low-salt diets. It also has a high potassium value. This
makes it excellent for people who are taking hypertensive
medications. Celery contains 341 milligrams potassium and
125 milligrams sodium per 100 gram serving. Any food with a
ratio of at least three parts potassium to one part sodium
is good for people with high blood pressure. In the body,
the ratio between potassium and sodium is more than two to
one. Most prepared foods, including cooked vegetables,
reduce the ratio more than tenfold.

When the diet is high in salt sodium is retained in the
cells with a large amount of water. An abundant amount of
potassium is necessary to displace the accumulated sodium in
the cells. If potassium is not present, the tissue cells
retain water with the sodium. For this reason doctors
prescribe diuretics, commonly called "water pills" in order
to remove the water. When diuretics are taken to lower the
blood pressure, they work by removing sodium from the body.
But when sodium is removed, potassium is also removed. For
this reason potassium supplements are usually prescribed in
conjunction with the hypertension drug.

Celery contains a natural diuretic substance and has been
used traditionally in treating obesity because it tends to
eliminate water weight. But the balance between sodium and
potassium is not unbalanced as it is when synthetic drugs
are taken.

For people who have blood pressure which is only mildly or
moderately high, the eating of celery may be all that is
needed to lower it to normal levels. But even for those who
have extremely high blood pressure readings, celery can be
helpful. Celery is an excellent diuretic that can improve
the effectiveness of high blood pressure medication, meaning
that the dosage of medication may be reduced.

For more information on celery and it's effect on blood
pressure and more:

http://www.apluswriting.net/health/celerybp.htm

About the Author
Marilyn Pokorney
Freelance writer of science, nature, animals and the
environment.
Also loves crafts, gardening, and reading.
Website: http://www.apluswriting.net