The substances we eat have a powerful effect on the health of our body, including on our blood pressure. One component of the blood, known as electrolytes, can be changed by differing electrolyte levels in the diet. People who consume unhealthy quantities of electrolytes can develop high blood pressure or hypertension, which can increase their risk of developing heart disease and atherosclerosis.
Electrolyte Function
Two of the most prominent electrolytes in the blood are sodium and potassium. These two electrolytes are needed in the right amounts for cells to function properly. Since sodium and potassium molecules are electrically charged, they can be used by cells in the body to store or release energy in the form of changes in the electrical charge of the cell. The amount of sodium, potassium and other electrolytes in the body is controlled in part by the kidneys.
Sodium and Hypertension
Sodium intake can have a role in high blood pressure, the Dietitian website explains. When you eat too much sodium, the amount of sodium in your blood rises. To compensate for this increased sodium concentration, your kidneys will retain more water to help dilute out the sodium. This can increase the volume of the blood, which can result in high blood pressure.
Sodium Recommendations
For some people, lowering the amount of sodium in the diet can help lower blood pressure. In general, you should aim to consume less than 2,300 mg of sodium each day, FamilyDoctor notes. Some people, such as older people, African-Americans and people who have high blood pressure should limit their sodium intake further to less than 1,500 mg of sodium per day.
Potassium and Hypertension
Potassium, another major electrolyte in the blood, may also play a role in regulating blood pressure. Some studies have suggested that having low potassium levels can cause an increase in blood pressure, the University of Maryland Medical Center reports. It is not clear why potassium levels could affect blood pressure in this way, or if people can lower their blood pressure by increasing their potassium intake. On the other hand, consuming enough potassium each day can improve your health in a variety of other ways, even if it doesn't lower your blood pressure.
Considerations
Although electrolyte levels can play a role in treating blood pressure, if you have hypertension you need to work with your doctor to find a treatment approach that works for you rather than focusing solely on electrolytes. Having high blood pressure can damage your blood vessels, heart and kidneys, particularly if it goes untreated. Often you may need to test your blood pressure multiple times after you begin a new treatment approach to see if it is working.
