Recommendations:

• Eliminate all salts from your diet. Read labels carefully and avoid those food products that have "salt," "soda," "sodium," or the symbol "Na" on the label. Some foods and food additives that should be avoided in this diet include monosodium glutmate (Accent, MSG); baking soda; commercially prepared foods; canned vegetables (unless marked sodium or salt-free); toothpastes containing saccharin or baking soda; over-the-counter medications that contain ibuprofen (such as Advil or Nuprin); diet soft drinks; foods with mold inhibitors, preservatives, and sugar substitutes; meat tenderizers; softened water; and soy sauce.

• Eat a high fiber diet and take supplemental fiber. Oat bran is agood source of fiber.

• Eat plenty of fruits and vegetables, such as apples, asparagus, bananas, broccoli, cabbage, cantaloupe, eggplant, garlic, grapefruit, green leafy vegetables, melons, peas, prunes, raisins, squash, and sweet potatoes.

• Include fresh "live" juices in the diet. The following juices are healthful: beet, carrot and celery; currant, cranberry, citrus fruit, parsley, spinach, and watermelon.

• Eat grains like brown rice, buckwheat, millet, and oats.

• Drink steam-distilled water only.

• Take 2 tablespoons of flaxseed oil daily.

• Avoid ALL animal fats. Bacon, beef bouillons, chicken liver, corned beef, dairy products, gravies, pork, sausage, and smoked or processed meets are prohibited. the only acceptable animal foods are broiled white fish and skinless turkey and chicken, and these should be consumed in moderation only. Get protein from vegetable sources, grains, and legumes instead.

• Avoid foods such as aged cheeses, aged meats, anchovies, avocadoes, chocolate, fava beans, pickled herring, sour cream, sherry, wine, and yogurt.

• Avoid ALL alcohol, caffeine, and tobacco.

• Get regular light to moderate exercise. Take care not to overexert yourself, especially in hot or humid weather. Caution: Consult with your health care provider before beginning a new exercise regimen, particularly if you have been sedentary for some time.

• Have your blood pressure checked at least every four to six months. Because hypertension often shows no signs, regular blood pressure checks by a professional are important, especially if you are in a high-risk category.

• If you are pregnant, have your blood pressure monitored frequently by your health care provider. Untreated hypertension in pregnancy can progress suddenly and pose a serious threat to both mother and child.

• Do not take antihistamines except under a physician's direction.

• Do not take supplements containing amino acids phenylalanine or tyrosine. Also avoid the artifical sweetner aspartame (Equal, NutraSweet), which contains phenylalanine.

• As much as possible, avoid stress.

Sources:
Prescription for Nutritional Healing (2nd Edition) by James F. Balch, M.D. and Phyllis A. Balch, C.N.C.
Get Healthy Now with Gary Null