Healthy Lifestyle and Exercising and Hypertension - Essay Example

The hypertension assignment has helped me in comprehending the effects of a good lifestyle coupled with the intake of nutrients in the right mix. It has given me a lot of data regarding the ingesting of sodium and potassium in right proportions. This strategy can be applied in the form of DASH (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension). It primarily focuses on decreasing the consumption of salt. The DASH eating plan tends to also regulate the amount of saturated fat, unsaturated fat, cholesterol, carbohydrate, magnesium, fiber and other essential nutrients in food.

It has helped me realize the numerous benefits of less sodium consumption and higher potassium intake. The advantages are varied that range from fast reduction of blood pressure, it helps in reducing cholesterol in a phased manner, the reduction of insulin resistance, the prevention of heart diseases and strokes, the prevention of any types of chronic liver ailments, it delays and even fights against osteoporosis, it reduces the risk of certain types of cancers, it mitigates obesity and also leads to an overall feeling of wellness (Coben 95).

There is also an increased effort on maintaining an overall healthy lifestyle that involves eating food in the right proportions. This assignment about hypertension has inculcated the values of healthy living in me, other than the food intake aspect of this plan. It espouses eating food in the right portions and in moderation. The food should be comprised of higher levels of grains, fiber, potassium, green vegetables, low quantities of red meat and alcohol (Karppanen and Mervaala 126). Healthy lifestyle and exercising is also a part of this plan.