Continued from page 1
When diet is high in salt sodium is retained in cells with a large amount of water. An abundant amount of potassium is necessary to displace accumulated sodium in cells. If potassium is not present, tissue cells retain water with sodium. For this reason doctors prescribe diuretics, commonly called "water pills" in order to remove water. When diuretics are taken to lower blood pressure, they work by removing sodium from body. But when sodium is removed, potassium is also removed. For this reason potassium supplements are usually prescribed in conjunction with hypertension drug.
Celery contains a natural diuretic substance and has been used traditionally in treating obesity because it tends to eliminate water weight. But 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, 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 effectiveness of high blood pressure medication, meaning that 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
Marilyn Pokorney Freelance writer of science, nature, animals and the environment. Also loves crafts, gardening, and reading. Website: http://www.apluswriting.net