Common Chemicals Cause High Blood Pressure?
By
Dr. Scott Olson, ND
Posted August 12, 2022
Dear Living Well Daily Reader,
When I told my wife about a recent study I was reading, her response was, “A girl just can catch a break!”
And she’s right.
Women seem particularly vulnerable to the chemicals in our environment.
We see this with chemicals that damage the thyroid (women are more susceptible), and we see it with breast cancer (many chemicals in our environment increase breast cancer risk).
As if those aren’t bad enough, the new study found that certain chemicals could increase high blood pressure too.
The study, published in the journal Hypertension, found that middle-aged women with higher blood concentrations of common chemicals were at greater risk of developing high blood pressure than women with low amounts.
The chemicals in question are called perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS).
You might have seen these described as “forever chemicals” because once they’re made, they stay in our environment for a long (LONG) time.
PFAS are found in water, soil, food, and air… basically everywhere.
According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), thousands of different kinds of PFAS are used in everyday household items, such as shampoos, dental floss, cosmetics, non-stick cookware, food packaging, and stain-resistant coatings for carpeting, upholstery, and clothing.
Unfortunately, these forever chemicals also find their way into us.
They slip inside when we eat certain foods, such as fish caught in contaminated water or dairy products from cows exposed to farm fertilizers. They hitch a ride inside on foods stored in certain kinds of PFAS-coated packaging. Or we can simply breathe them in.
The study followed more than 1,000 women (45-56 years old) who had normal blood pressure when they enrolled.
The researchers measured their blood concentrations of PFAS at the start of the study. All participants were followed from 1999 to 2017.
Women with higher concentrations of specific PFAS were more likely to develop high blood pressure. In fact, ladies with the highest overall PFAS levels had a 42 percent higher risk of developing high blood pressure than women with the lowest concentrations of these dangerous chemicals.
But it gets worse. Women in the group with the highest one-third concentrations of ALL SEVEN PFAS had a 71 percent increased risk of developing high blood pressure.
So, how do you protect yourself?
Clearly, you want to stay away from these chemicals. That’s why your first action step is to reduce the number of chemicals in your home. There are good natural alternatives to almost every household cleaner and body care product you can buy.
If you need some help picking out safer products, I suggest you check out the Environmental Working Group’s consumer guides.
Avoid foods packaged in plastics.
Finally, provide your liver with the raw materials it needs to detox the chemicals you run into. That means ensuring you have enough B vitamins, glutathione, N-acetylcysteine, and Coenzyme Q10.
PS: Ladies, your makeup could be making you sick. In fact, over half of certain personal care products contain the toxic forever chemical fluorine. Find out the number one makeup product you should avoid like the plague, RIGHT HERE.
Source:
Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances and Incident Hypertension in Multi-Racial/Ethnic Women: The Study of Women’s Health Across the Nation. Hypertension, 2022 DOI: 10.1161/HYPERTENSIONAHA.121.18809
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
Sweet Cancer Breakthrough Creates a Buzz
That jar of honey in your pantry might be more than just a sweet treat. In fact, if it’s the right variety, it could be a secret weapon against one of the most common forms of cancer affecting women. (Can you even imagine a world in which fighting this killer could be as simple as...
EASY Morning Routine Fights Frailty
Think you don’t have a muscle loss problem? Think again! The fact is we ALL lose muscle mass as we age. It starts sometime in your 30s or 40s and ramps up in your senior years, between 65 and 80. In fact, you can lose up to eight percent of muscle mass every decade! This...
“Dirty Brain” Breakthrough Slashes Brain Disease Risk
Have you ever wondered why seniors are more prone to diseases like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s? (And no, it’s not because we’re running out of room from storing decades-worth of information!) In truth, scientists have long suspected it’s related to the brain’s ability to clean itself. Now, groundbreaking research has revealed why this happens and a...
Tiny Troublemaker Ramps Up Arthritis Pain [5 Ways to Fight Back]
If you’re one of the millions living with rheumatoid arthritis, you might be surprised to learn that the key to managing your condition could be right under your nose—or, more precisely, in your mouth. Recent research from Tokyo Medical and Dental University uncovered a fascinating link between oral health and the severity of arthritis symptoms....
Evaluate Your Health with Five “Living Room” Tests
You don’t need a medical degree or expensive equipment to get a snapshot of your health. In fact, there are five simple tests you can do right now from the comfort of your own living room (or neighborhood) that will give you valuable insights into your overall fitness and well-being. Let’s take a look at...
How the War on Fat Is Harming Your Health
For decades, we’ve been taught to fear fat. Low-fat and fat-free products have been practically shoved down our throats. It’s been drilled into our heads that fat is enemy no. 1. But what if I told you that this fat phobia is likely doing far more harm than good? In fact, a “forgotten fat” could...
Mailbag: Diabetes Busting Solutions that WORK
“How do you eliminate diabetes and can supplements help?” – Seeking Solutions ***** Dear Seeking, Let’s first be sure we’re talking about the same thing: type 2 diabetes. Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease in which the body can no longer produce insulin. It can be a challenging condition to manage. But if you...
Health Risks of Plant-Based Eating EXPOSED (Study)
You’ve seen the headlines. “Go vegan for your health!” “Plant-based is the way forward!” But before you ditch that steak for a veggie burger, there’s something you need to know… A shocking new study has uncovered a dirty little secret in the world of plant-based eating. And it might just make you think twice about...
Potent Extract Boosts Immune Function
Remember when CBD products were suddenly popping up everywhere, from trendy cafes to your local gas station? Well, while the initial craze has settled, this powerful compound is still making waves in the health world. And its latest trick could be a godsend for folks who need to beef up their immune system… A new...
Don’t Ignore This Weight Loss Drug WARNING
By now, you’ve heard the buzz about GLP-1 weight loss drugs such as Ozempic. They’re being hailed as game-changers in the fight against obesity, with everyone from celebrities to everyday folks singing their praises. But what if I told you these miracle medications might be hiding a dark secret? Or that ignoring this potential side...