Gillian McKeith's Food Bible (240 page)

Supplement with vitamin C and bioflavanoids. Vitamin C also has antiviral and immune-supportive properties. You can take it with the L-lysine, as it can enhance the effectiveness of the lysine.

The herb echinacea can be taken to
increase the body’s general resistance and help to fight infection.

Supplement with zinc, which is an important nutrient for the immune system and is often depleted.

EXTRA TIPS

Topically, you can apply black walnut extract. This has antiviral effects. L-lysine or zinc creams can also be applied topically for their antiviral effects.

Aloe vera gel is soothing and can be applied locally to relieve symptoms.

HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE

When we talk about blood pressure, we are referring to the pressure of the blood against the artery and blood-vessel walls. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), high blood pressure, also referred to as hypertension, is when the pressure of the blood pumping round the body is higher than 160/90. Normal blood pressure would be considered to be between 100/70 to 140/90. Anything above this should lead to further investigation and dietary and lifestyle changes.

The higher number is the systolic reading, which indicates the pressure of the blood when the heart contracts (pumps) and pressure is at its highest. The lower figure is the diastolic pressure, and this refers to the pressure when the heart relaxes between pumps. This is when pressure is at its lowest.

The pressure of the blood depends on a number of factors: the power of the heart, the amount of blood in the body, and the health of the blood-vessel walls. For example, if the blood vessels are clogged up with plaque and cholesterol, they will be narrower and the pressure of the blood will be greater. In turn, high blood pressure can cause damage to the artery walls. This can lead to the deposition of cholesterol and plaque in order to patch up the damage.

Those with high blood pressure may have no particular symptoms. However, some people present with headaches, nosebleeds, palpitations, visual disturbances, dizziness, chest pains, fatigue, and breathlessness. Having high blood pressure puts you at increased risk of heart disease and suffering a heart attack or stroke. Other associated conditions include obesity, diabetes, arteriosclerosis, atherosclerosis, kidney problems, and hyperthyroidism.

Essential or primary hypertension refers to high blood pressure with no apparent physical cause. Secondary hypertension refers to high blood pressure that has been caused by another disease. For example, the narrowing of the blood vessels, as in atherosclerosis (see page
193
) and arteriosclerosis, will increase the pressure of the blood. Poor kidney function can increase the amount of fluid in the blood and this can also lead to high blood pressure.

CAUSES

There are many possible contributory factors to high blood pressure. These include:

Genetic predisposition.

Stress.

Being overweight.

Nutrient deficiencies, particularly the essential fats, magnesium, B vitamins, and vitamin C.

Diet high in salt, saturated fat, and sugar.

High cholesterol.