I'm 17 and I have a blood pressure of 161. I eat an extremely bad range of foods, mostly fastfood, and...?

Question

I can't say I get much exercise. What should I do, I need to get more in shape and lower my Blood pressure. What should I eat, how much should I exercise?

Answer 1

Eating a low-fat vegan diet may be better at managing type 2 diabetes than traditional diets, according to a new study.

Researchers found 43 percent of people with type 2 diabetes who followed a low-fat vegan diet for 22 weeks reduced their need to take medications to manage their disease compared with 26 percent of those who followed the diet recommended by the American Diabetes Association (ADA).

In addition, participants who followed the vegan diet experienced greater reductions in cholesterol levels and weight loss than those on the other diet.

A vegan diet is plant-based and consists of vegetables, fruits, grains, and legumes and avoids animal products, such as meat and dairy. People who are on a vegan diet are at risk for vitamin B12 deficiency, and so B12 vitamins were given to the participants on that diet.

"The diet appears remarkably effective, and all the side effects are good ones -- especially weight loss and lower cholesterol," says researcher Neal D. Barnard, MD, adjunct associate professor of medicine at the George Washington University, in a news release. "I hope this study will rekindle interest in using diet changes first, rather than prescription drugs."

Barnard is also president of the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine, a nonprofit health organization that opposes animal research and advocates a vegan diet.


Vegan Vs. ADA Diet For Diabetes

In the study, published in the journal Diabetes Care, researchers compared the effects of following a low-fat vegan diet and the ADA diet on reducing the need for drugs to manage diabetes, kidney function, cholesterol levels, and weight loss in 99 adults with type 2 diabetes. Meals were not provided, but participants met a dietitian to come up with a diet plan and then met regularly each week for nutrition and cooking instruction.

Forty-nine of the participants followed a low-fat vegan diet consisting of about 10 percent of daily calories from fat, 15 percent protein, and 75 percent carbohydrates. They were asked to avoid animal products and added fats and instead favor foods like beans and green vegetables, but portion sizes and total daily calories or food intake were unrestricted.

The other 50 participants followed the dietary guidelines recommended by the ADA, including 15-20 percent protein, 60-70 percent carbohydrates and monosaturated fats (such as olive oil), and less than 7 percent saturated fats (such as animal fats and butter). Total cholesterol was also limited to 200 milligrams or less per day.

Overweight participants in the ADA diet group were also advised to reduce daily calorie intake by 500-1,000 calories per day.

The results showed that both diets improved diabetes management and reduced unhealthy cholesterol levels, but some improvements were greater with the low-fat vegan diet.

For example:


43 percent of those on the vegan diet reduced their need to take drugs to manage their diabetes compared with 26 percent of the ADA diet group.


Weight loss averaged more than 14 pounds in the vegan diet group vs. less than 7 pounds in the other group.


LDL "bad" cholesterol dropped by an average of 21 percent in the vegan group compared with 11 percent in the ADA diet group who did not change their cholesterol drug use.


Measures of blood sugar control also improved more significantly among those who followed the low-fat vegan diet than among those who followed the ADA diet and who did not change their diabetes drug use.

Researchers say the vegan diet represents a major change from current diabetes diets because there are no limits on calories, carbohydrates, and portions, which may make it easier for some people to follow. Talk to your doctor about what diet changes you might consider to help with diabetes or other medical conditions.

SOURCES:Barnard, N. Diabetes Care, August 2006; vol 29: pp 1777-1783. News release, Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine.

Answer 2

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Answer 3

You should consult your doctor before starting any exercise program. You need a complete physical with appropriate lab work (including an EKG) and a good family history. For example, do either of your parents have high blood pressure or heart disease? A systolic pressure of 161 is clearly too high for a 17 year old. However, you cannot rely on a single reading. Has your blood pressure been measured on at least three occasions with each systolic reading elevated? Or is this the only blood pressure reading you have had? There are many reasons why blood pressure can increase, and you need to repeat testing on different days and at different times to ensure that your blood pressure is truly elevated. If it is, your doctor will instruct you on what exercises are safe and appropriate for you. Generally speaking, a diet that has a lot of fruits and vegetables with some fish and baked chicken is much better then too much fried foods, beef, fast foods, and snacks. Maintaining a proper weight is also essential for good blood pressure and cardiac health.

Answer 4

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Answer 5

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Answer 6

As somone who has almost been exactly where you are (I was 25, not 17 but my BP was about 160 over 100), the main thing is to try to make changes you can live with. If it's not sustainable, you're just going to crash. First try to cut down on things that come with salt. I started buying "no salt added" vegetables and things like that. I also did stop eating french fries and potato chips altogether. If I had a salt craving, I ate a klaussen pickle or some pretzels. I started eating more salads but I had to put things on it, like a bit of cheddar cheese just b/c I can't abide by just lettuce. Part of these changes were due to having high cholesterol as well. It was about 295 at the same time my BP was so high. Which I recommend checking if your doctor hasn't had it checked already. If your BP is that high, your cholesterol might be too.
Besides the food changes, I also started doing like avoiding the elevator or escalator. I tried to take a short walk now and then during my lunch break. Also, if I had a slow spot during my work, I walked around the building a bit. It took me quite a few start and stops to get going, but in the end I lost 20 pounds and my BP came down to about 130 over 80 (which is still high but only borderline) and I was able to stay around there even after getting off of my medication. My cholesterol also dropped back down to under 200. So it is possible, but it is also difficult. A big thing is, if you really really want something, let yourself have some. Just try to stick with a smaller amount. Denying yourself will very likely lead to a binge of crap. I hope this helps you and good luck on getting healthier.
Oh one other comment on the fast food. Just to make better choices from what's there. Instead of bacon, egg and cheese biscuit and a hashbrown from McD's, I got an egg mcmuffin and a yogurt parfait or apple dippers. Most fast food places have nutritional values on their websites and I learned that once I found out exactly how many bad things were in certain foods (like sodium, fat, calories), I just couldn't bring myself to eat them because I new how horrible they were going to be for me and I would feel guilty after eating them.

Answer 7

Kevin,


STOP EATING JUNK FOOD.

161 BP is way too high... I only get 150 systolic pressure when i go to the dentist or when my mother drives.

"I can't say I get much exercise."
Get some exercise then. Recommendation: go find a workout buddy and get to it. Support does wonders.

Moderation is one of the key factors in eating healthier. Cut down the amount you eat at one time. If you feel the need to keep tabs on what you eat try out http://www.fitday.com/ for free.

Fenugreek is a nice spice found in most Indian foods. I find that helps out circulation. It tastes like *** so I like the pill form. But this isn't a substitute for exercise and healthy eating both of what your doctor should have told you about.

Answer 8

3 years ago, I was diagnosed - hypertension with a reading of 160/100. I used to feel dizzy a lot, my legs had awful cramps, and levels were very low in my potassium, causing my fingers and toes to always cramp together. One day I started to feel really faint while I was driving with my daughter in the back seat and I passed out, hitting 3 cars and ending up in a ditch. That moment,I knew I had to do something because my meds weren't working. I heard about this diet from a friend and thought I'd give it a shot. The results have been remarkable. In just 21 days, I honestly can't remember feeling this good, my blood pressure went from 175/110 to 125/70.

Answer 9

Yikes. Your blood pressure is way too high for someone your age. I hesitate to advise you as I truly believe you should be under the care of a physician and a dietitian who can map out a healthy eating plan for you. Whatever you do....get this under control by following all your doctor's instructions....it could cause you some serious health problems in the future if you don't. I'm sorry you have to deal with that at your young age :(

Answer 10

Forget anything you have ever been told about Diabetes.

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Answer 11

an healthy diet, i have high blood pressure, i make sure i don't eat lots of fats, salt or sugars, drinking less alcohol, plenty of water, and no stress as that cause blood pressure to go higher