Although potassium is often thought of as a mineral that benefits the bones, it’s also important for heart health. In fact, potassium could help to reduce the adverse effects of salt in the diet, whereas a lack of potassium can lead to an increased risk of heart disease and other health problems.
A new study published in the European Heart Journal, a journal of the European Society of Cardiology (ESC), found that potassium-rich diets were associated with lower blood pressure, particularly in women with high salt intake.
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Study author Professor Liffert Vogt of Amsterdam University Medical Centers, the Netherlands said, ”It is well known that high salt consumption is associated with elevated blood pressure and a raised risk of heart attacks and strokes. Health advice has focused on limiting salt intake, but this is difficult to achieve when our diets include processed foods. Potassium helps the body excrete more sodium in the urine. In our study, dietary potassium was linked with the greatest health gains in women.”
The study included 24,963 participants (11,267 men and 13,696 women) of the EPIC-Norfolk study. All participants were 40- to 79-year-olds from general practices in Norfolk, U.K., between 1993 and 1997. Each was required to collect urine samples, measure blood pressure, and complete a questionnaire on lifestyle habits. Urinary sodium and potassium were used to estimate dietary intake.
When researchers analyzed the association between potassium intake and blood pressure, it was found that potassium consumption was associated with lower blood pressure in women. Researchers noted that the relationship between potassium and blood pressure was only observed in women with high sodium intake. In men, there was no association between potassium and blood pressure.
During a median follow-up, researchers analyzed the association between potassium intake and cardiovascular events and found that people with the highest potassium intake had a 13% lower risk of cardiovascular events compared to those with the lowest. When men and women were analyzed separately, the corresponding risk reductions were 7% and 11%.
Keeping the Heart Healthy
These results show that potassium can help to preserve heart health, especially in women. But potassium isn’t the only way to help keep the heart healthy.
Heart Rescue was designed to help support and promote cardiovascular health using a variety of ingredients, including omega-3 fatty acids, CoQ10. The omega-3 fatty acids play an essential role in cardiovascular function, while CoQ10 is involved in energy production at the cellular level. These two heart superstars are supported by 5 other ingredients can help to promote and support cardiovascular function as you age. This formula’s health benefits can help strengthen the heart muscle, support circulation, and help reduce the risk of heart disease.
Sarah began her interest in nutritional healing at an early age. After going through health problems and becoming frustrated with the conventional ways doctors wanted to treat her illness (which were not working), she took it upon herself to find alternative treatments. This led her to revolutionize her own diet to help her get healthier and tackle her health problems. She began treating her illness by living a more balanced lifestyle through healthy food choices, exercise and other alternative medicine such as meditation. This total positive lifestyle change led her to earn a diploma in Nutritional Therapy from Health Sciences Academy in London, England. Today, Sarah enjoys helping others by teaching healthy lifestyle changes through her personal consultations and with her regular contributions to the Doctors Health Press. Also, passionate about following her dreams in life, Sarah moved to France and lived in Paris for over 5 years where she earned a certification in beadwork and embroidery from Lesage (an atelier owned by Chanel). She then went on to be a familiar face sitting front row and reporting from Paris Fashion Week. Sarah continues to practice some of the cultural ways of life she learned while in Europe. They enjoy their food, and take the time to relax and enjoy many of life’s little moments. These are life lessons she is glad to have brought back home with her.
