Common Bedroom Mistake Is a Blood Pressure BOMB
By
Dr. Scott Olson, ND
Posted September 30, 2022
Dear Living Well Daily Reader,
You already know the “usual suspects” behind high blood pressure.
I bet you could rattle them off as well as I can.
Too much junk salt, aging, being overweight, sitting around all day, smoking, overdoing alcohol, and trans fats are all on the list.
But something else that’s not usually on the radar could still send your blood pressure climbing. And many of us (perhaps even YOU) are guilty of this common bedroom mistake.
I’ll share that hidden hypertension trigger with you in just a moment. But first, let’s talk about blood pressure in general.
Many patients who come to my office don’t believe high blood pressure is a big problem. And honestly, who could blame them?
After all, they’re constantly bombarded with ads promising the only “solution” they’ll ever need… blood-pressure drugs.
Drug companies make billions off of these meds. And drug-company lobbying has helped move “healthy” blood pressure ranges lower than ever in recent years, giving them a constant supply of new recruits waiting in the wings.
But as shady as those Big Pharma moves are, you shouldn’t ignore your hypertension. High blood pressure increases your risk for stroke, aneurysm, heart attack, kidney problems, and more. So keeping yours under control should be a priority.
Now a new study published in the journal Sleep found that “high sleep irregularity” could increase your risk of hypertension by up to 15 percent.
In other words, if you don’t go to bed at around the same time every night and sleep nearly the same number of hours, your risk for high blood pressure will start climbing.
The new study crunched the numbers on more than two million nights of sleep and explored how that sleep affected blood pressure.
The researchers found that people who didn’t consistently go to bed at the same time or who didn’t stay asleep for a regular number of hours were most likely to have high blood pressure.
The good news is that many of the same drug-free fixes that work for your sleep troubles will do double duty by helping dial down blood pressure too.
Dr. Scott’s Blood Pressure Control Program:
- Exercise: Consistent exercise is one of your best tools for getting a good night’s sleep AND keeping your blood pressure low. You don’t need fancy equipment or even a gym membership. A good swift walk does the trick.
- CoQ10: This antioxidant/enzyme is found throughout the body and is used for energy production. Since the heart is one of the most energy-hungry organs, it needs CoQ10 to function properly. CoQ10 can lower inflammation, reduce blood clots, help prevent arrhythmias /atrial fibrillation, and lower blood pressure. Take it in the morning to avoid insomnia.
- Magnesium: This hardworking mineral is involved in over 300 enzymatic reactions in the body, including protein synthesis, muscle and nerve function, and blood sugar and blood pressure control. Magnesium helps regulate your heartbeat and supports healthy GABA levels, which are linked to good quality sleep.
- Fish oil: The EPA/DHA omega-3 fatty acids in fish oil support heart health and help manage blood pressure. Taking between one to three grams daily helps reduce inflammation and softens up arteries, so they stay flexible. And research has found that omega-3s improve sleep quality and quantity in adults.
- Saunas: Studies show that using saunas regularly can help lower blood pressure and improve sleep.
P.S. Need even MORE health dialing down your blood pressure? This mineral secret could be just the ticket. Click here for all the delicious details.
Source:
“0204 Sleep Irregularity Is Associated with Increased Risk of Hypertension: Data From Over Two Million Nights,” Sleep, Volume 45, Issue Supplement 1, June 2022, Pages A93–A94, doi.org/10.1093/sleep/zsac079.202
Written By Dr. Scott Olson, ND
Nearly 25 years ago, failed mainstream medical treatments left Dr. Olson in constant pain – and his health in ruins. And that’s when he did something REVOLUTIONARY. He began his career in medicine – and dedicated his life to uncovering the true, underlying causes of disease.
Through his innovative medical practices in Tennessee and Colorado, Dr. Olson has helped cure countless seniors from across America of arthritis… heart disease… diabetes… and even cancer. All without risky prescription drugs or painful surgeries.
View More Free Articles
Stop Obsessing Over Diet Trends
Can we stop with the endless diet debates already? Every other week there’s a new headline shouting about which diet is best for weight loss, heart health, or diabetes. Paleo, keto, low-carb, high-protein… it’s exhausting. And now, a new meta-analysis is out comparing the Mediterranean diet, the DASH diet, and something called AHEI (that’s “Alternative...
A New Reason to Ditch Processed Junk
If you’ve ever walked the inside aisles of your local grocery store and thought, “This is all just junk,” your instincts were spot on. A new study published in the journal Thorax just added another red flag to the list of dangers linked to ultra-processed food—a 41 percent higher risk of lung cancer. That’s right....
When Being Winded on Stairs Is Serious (And When It Isn’t)
I had an athlete visit me recently because he experienced shortness of breath while climbing stairs. He is in great shape, so he was worried about what it might mean. “Doc,” he said, “I run five miles three times a week. Why am I huffing and puffing after two flights of stairs?” His concern is...
Study EXPOSES Hidden Danger Lurking in Your Car
We think of our homes and cars as safe havens. But according to a startling new study, they may be flooding your lungs with microscopic plastic particles—every single day. Researchers in France recently found that adults inhale an average of 68,000 microplastic particles daily from indoor air alone. To put that in perspective, that’s about...
Mailbag: Is Modern Food Making You Snore?
“What can cause snoring, and is there a way to correct this issue?” —Seeking Silence Hi Seeking, Snoring happens when the soft tissues in your throat relax and vibrate as air passes through during sleep. While several factors can cause snoring—from sleep position to nasal congestion—I want to share one trigger that might surprise you....
Simple Food Swap SLASHES Dementia Risk 28%
Let’s be honest… who would jump at the chance to cut their dementia risk by 28 percent. And no, you don’t need to run marathons, survive on broccoli, or learn to play the zither (whatever that is) to make it happen. All it takes is one easy swap—something that’s probably already in your refrigerator. Researchers...
This SMART Floss Exposes Hidden Health Danger
Scientists have created dental floss that doesn’t just clean between your teeth—it also tracks your stress while you’re flossing. Now, I know what you’re thinking… “Great—now even flossing is going to stress me out by telling me how stressed I am.” But this fascinating new tool from Tufts University could be a game-changer for understanding...
Is This "Safe" Sweetener Damaging Your Brain?
The headlines are alarming… “Popular Sugar Substitute Linked to Brain Cell Damage” and “Erythritol Could Damage Critical Brain Barrier” are just two of the dozens I’ve spotted recently. But before you toss every sugar-free product in your pantry, let’s take a closer look at what this study actually shows—and what it doesn’t. The latest research...
This Summer Threat Could SPIKE Your Blood Sugar
Picture this… It’s another scorching hot summer day. You crank up the air conditioning while watching the weather forecast, which predicts yet another “record-breaking” heat wave. It’s starting to feel like just another miserably uncomfortable summer. But what you might not realize is that—if you have diabetes—those rising temps could do far more damage to...
Move Over Yogurt—5 Foods That Pack MORE Probiotics
Let’s talk about your gut. The microbiome is the collection of trillions of bacteria and other tiny organisms that live in and on your body—especially in your gut—and help keep you healthy. I’ve written often about how vital it is to maintain a healthy microbiome. And you might have dutifully added yogurt to your shopping...