Blood Pressure, Water Hardness and Hair Mineral Analysis

water hardness and bloodpressure

The levels of essential minerals like sodium, potassium, calcium, and magnesium play a crucial role in blood pressure regulation. This article explores the connection between hard and soft water, their influence on blood pressure, and the potential benefits of hair mineral analysis in detecting mineral imbalances so proper decisions can be made with diet and supplementation.

Understanding Hard and Soft Water

Hard water contains higher concentrations of minerals, including calcium and magnesium, while soft water has fewer minerals due to its natural state or treatment processes that remove them. The hardness or softness of water depends on the geological characteristics of the region and the water source.

Surprisingly water can be classified as being stimulatory or sedative and can therefore have a positive or negative effect on our total health.

Hard water, for example, is classified as being sedative, as it has a high amount of calcium and magnesium relative to sodium and potassium.  Think about the old wives’ tale where you drink a glass of warm milk to fall asleep.  It’s the sedative characteristic of calcium primarily that does this.

Low blood pressure hard water mineral profile

(from Trace Elements and Other Essential Nutrients by David Watts)

Soft water, on the other hand, is stimulatory.  In soft water, the mineral pattern is opposite to the mineral pattern of hard water. Calcium and magnesium levels are very low relative to sodium and potassium. Several studies have confirmed that death rates from cardiovascular disease are higher in areas with soft water.

High Blood Pressure soft water mineral profile

Sodium and Blood Pressure Regulation

Sodium is an essential electrolyte that is involved in maintaining fluid balance and regulating blood pressure. Excessive sodium intake is known to lead to water retention, causing increased blood volume and elevated blood pressure.  It is a stimulatory mineral and high levels are associated with stress and fast metabolism. Monitoring sodium levels is therefore important for individuals with hypertension or those at risk of developing high blood pressure.

Calcium and Magnesium in Blood Pressure Regulation

Adequate calcium intake supports the dilation and constriction of blood vessels, contributing to optimal blood flow and maintaining healthy blood pressure levels. Magnesium is a vital mineral that helps relax blood vessels, promoting vasodilation and improving blood flow. It also plays a role in regulating the balance of other minerals, such as calcium and potassium, which impact blood pressure regulation. Magnesium deficiency has been associated with increased blood pressure and hypertension.

So, we need to get the BALANCE of these minerals correct.  Too much can be an issue, and too little can be an issue.  With respect to blood pressure, it’s generally accepted that high sodium is a problem as well as low magnesium, so it makes sense to know two things.

What type of water are we drinking?
What are our individual levels of minerals?

When we know this, we can make decisions such as do we add or remove salt from our diet.  Should we be supplementing with magnesium?

Hair Mineral Analysis

Hair mineral analysis is a non-invasive method that can provide insights into mineral imbalances within the body.

First, we need to address the elephant in the room.  The inevitable question that always comes up is why not run blood tests to assess minerals?  The short answer is that blood is held in a very tight homeostatic range and won’t fluctuate much.  It’s maintained at the expense of the tissues.  It’s a classic case of a good test but the wrong test.  For example, if you broke your leg, you wouldn’t want a blood test, you would want an x-ray.

Here’s how it works

A small sample of hair is collected, typically from the back of the head, and sent to a laboratory for analysis. The hair sample reflects the mineral content accumulated over time, offering information about long-term nutrient status.

Hair mineral analysis can help detect calcium, magnesium, sodium and potassium imbalances by measuring their relative concentrations in the hair sample. Deviations from optimal ranges may indicate potential issues with blood pressure regulation.

When you have this information you can then make decisions on the consumption of salt, magnesium supplementation, or other diet and supplement aspects.  In general, the hair mineral analysis pattern you need to look out for is what’s called fast oxidation where sodium and potassium are elevated. This usually occurs in very stressed individuals, and they are best advised to limit sodium consumption and to increase magnesium amongst other suggestions.

To learn more details about hair mineral analysis here is our in depth blog. Hair Tissue Mineral Analysis Explained 

To learn more about hair mineral analysis and how it can help with metabolic disease you can download our free eBook. The SPEED Trap: How To Reverse Metabolic Dysfunction

Conclusion

Water hardness, as well as the levels of essential minerals like sodium and potassium, can influence blood pressure regulation. More research needs to be done on the accurate connection between water hardness and blood pressure but monitoring sodium and potassium levels would most likely be helpful for maintaining healthy blood pressure.

Hair mineral analysis serves as a valuable tool in detecting imbalances. By providing insights into long-term mineral status, this non-invasive test can assist in early detection and personalized recommendations to restore balance and support healthy blood pressure levels.

Yours in Health,
Dr Todd Lizon B.P.H.E., D.C.

We care deeply about your metabolic health here at Lifestyle Integration.

Subscribe to our newsletter to get our free eBook on how to manage metabolic dysfunction
The SPEED Trap: How To Reverse Metabolic Dysfunction

10 Ways To Reduce Blood Pressure Naturally

reduce blood pressure

High blood pressure, also known as hypertension, is a common condition that affects millions of people worldwide. It is one of the 5 symptoms that contribute to metabolic syndrome. If left untreated, it can increase the risk of serious health complications such as heart disease and stroke. While medications are often used to treat it, several lifestyle changes can help reduce blood pressure naturally. Here are ten ways to lower it naturally. (and one really cool bonus tip)

  1. Exercise regularly: Regular exercise can help to lower blood pressure by improving blood vessel function and reducing inflammation. Aim for at least 30 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise most days of the week.  If you can’t exercise due to injury or other factors there are exercise mimics  that can help you to jump-start the process.
  2. Maintain a healthy weight: Being overweight or obese can increase the risk of hypertension. Losing even a small amount of weight can help to lower it.  A simple scale will suffice but a smart scale will really help to motivate you and track the finer details such as body fat percentage
  3. Eat a healthy diet: A diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean protein, and healthy fats (LI fish oil) can help to lower blood pressure. Avoid processed and high-sodium foods, which can contribute to hypertension.
  4. Limit alcohol intake: Drinking excessive amounts of alcohol can increase blood pressure. Limit your alcohol intake to no more than one drink per day for women and two drinks per day for men.
  5. Reduce sodium intake: Consuming too much sodium can increase blood pressure. Limit your sodium intake to less than 2,300 mg per day, or less than 1,500 mg per day if you have hypertension or are at high risk.
  6. Quit smoking: Smoking can increase blood pressure and the risk of heart disease. Quitting smoking can help to lower blood pressure and improve overall cardiovascular health.
  7. Manage stress: Chronic stress can contribute to hypertension. Practice relaxation techniques such as meditation, deep breathing, yoga, or use a sauna to help manage stress.
  8. Get enough sleep: Chronic sleep deprivation can increase the risk of hypertension. Aim for at least seven hours of sleep per night.  With this suggestion it is highly suggested that you TRACK your sleep so you know if you are making progress.  Use a smart watch or wearable device such as a WHOOP band or FitBit. Here is how to get a free month of WHOOP.
  9. Monitor regularly: Regular monitoring of blood pressure can help to identify hypertension early and allow for prompt intervention.  A home device is best for this as “whitecoat syndrome” is quite prevalent and results in high readings due to stress when you are at your doctors office.  You can purchase arm or wrist blood pressure devices that will help you to get a better picture of what your blood pressure is doing during the day.
  10. Consider supplements: Some supplements, such as fish oil, magnesium, and potassium, may have blood pressure-lowering effects. However, it is important to consult with a healthcare provider before starting any new supplement regimen.

BONUS TIP

It has been found that resistance-breathing training can lower blood pressure as much as some medicines and/or exercises.  Here is some more to learn about this new and upcoming therapy.

In conclusion, there are several ways to lower hypertension naturally, including exercise, maintaining a healthy weight, eating a healthy diet, limiting alcohol intake, reducing sodium intake, quitting smoking, managing stress, getting enough sleep, monitoring blood pressure regularly, and considering supplements. By making these lifestyle changes, you can help to reduce your risk of hypertension and improve your overall health.

We care deeply about your metabolic health here at Lifestyle Integration.

Subscribe to our newsletter to get our free eBook on how to manage metabolic dysfunction
The SPEED Trap: How To Reverse Metabolic Dysfunction