A vegetarian diet relies on vegetables and other foods that are plant-based. A vegetarian diet can be a healthy way to gain nutrition and can reduce your risk for developing several types of disease and health problems. If you have a condition such as hyperaldosteronism, a condition in which your adrenal glands release too much aldosterone, a vegetarian diet may help improve symptoms over time.
Hyperaldosteronism
If your doctor has recently diagnosed you with a condition called hyperaldosteronism, taking the best care of your health is a priority. There are often two classifications of hyperaldosteronism – primary and secondary. Primary is often caused by a tumor on your adrenal gland – this causes the adrenal gland to distribute too much aldosterone, explains MedlinePlus. This condition can cause high blood pressure. Secondary hyperaldosteronism may be caused by heart failure or cirrhosis of the liver. Symptoms such as muscle weakness, numbness, paralysis, headache and extreme fatigue may be present. Your doctor may run tests including an ECG and CT scan of the abdomen and test your potassium and plasma aldosterone levels. Surgical treatment may be recommended, especially if there is a tumor present. Your doctor may also recommend a diet to help lower your blood pressure, which may include a diet rich in vegetables.
Vegetarian Diet
A vegetarian diet eliminates foods such as meat, poultry and fish. This means you only consume foods from the fruit, vegetable and whole-grain group, explains The Vegetarian Resource Group. An example of foods may include leafy green salads, sunflower seeds, broccoli, oatmeal and beans. If you have hyperaldosteronism, you may also have low potassium levels. Vegetables and fruits such as bananas and potatoes are good sources of natural potassium. With a vegetarian diet, you can also substitute nondairy drinks and foods such as tofu and almond milk in place of cow’s milk and yogurt.
Benefits
If you have hyperaldosteronism, you may also have hypertension. With a vegetarian diet, you can lower your blood pressure by eating naturally. "The New York Times" notes that a vegetarian diet can provide vital nutrients and vitamins that help keep blood pressure normal. Eliminating red meat from your diet could also be the reason why blood pressure numbers plummet. Be sure to avoid high-fat and salt-laden condiments when eating a vegetarian diet or you could raise your blood pressure and put more stress on your kidneys.
Precautions
If hyperaldosteronism goes untreated, it can lead to serious complications. Hypertension can cause heart disease and increase your risk for stroke and kidney disease. Low potassium levels, or hypokalemia, can lead to heart damage and death if levels do not reach the normal range of 3.7 milliequivalents per liter. The National Adrenal Diseases Foundation explains that you may be advised to take anti-hypertensive medication to bring blood pressure down. Speak with your doctor about side effects related to taking medication.
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