Many of us probably aspire to have the low blood pressure of an athlete and let's face it, if we did we wouldn't then have to worry so much about the risks associated with high blood pressure which can be life threatening.

When is Blood Pressure Described as ‘Low’?

Also known as hypotension, low blood pressure occurs when the blood pressure during waking hours reads at about 90/60. This is generally ‘a good thing’ to have so long as there are no symptoms but if the blood pressure is too low there may be insufficient blood flowing to the brain and vital organs. This can cause dizziness or even fainting. In some cases you might feel sick.

What can Cause Low Blood Pressure?

Taking certain medications can result in low blood pressure such as anti depressants or indeed medication prescribed to treat high blood pressure. Diabetes is another cause as it can damage the nerves, which supply the blood vessels. Severe injuries such as burns or injuries resulting in severe blood loss also reduce blood volume. More serious illnesses such as a heart attack can cause low blood pressure. Ironically just as you can suffer from high blood pressure in old age, so too can old age give you stiffer arteries, which can lead to low blood pressure. It is also common to experience low blood pressure during early to mid pregnancy.

What Lifestyle Changes can you Make to Address Low Blood Pressure?

Any heart related disease would benefit from increasing exercise in order to promote blood flow. So, half an hour of regular exercise a day in the fresh air ideally is recommended to help with low blood pressure.

It helps again with heart related conditions not to put too great a strain on the heart by having a large meal. Instead eat smaller more regular meals.

Elderly people with low blood pressure are generally advised not to stand up from a sitting position too quickly and to support their head on an extra pillow at night.

The Raw Foods that you Should Eat for Low Blood Pressure

It is advised that you should limit high carbohydrate foods like potatoes, rice, pasta and bread. Also limit fried food and fast foods which are extremely bad for the heart. However, the good news for Raw Foodist is that the above products are not related to us.

Instead you should be adding these to your diet for low blood pressure:

• Pink Himalayan Salt – Just as salt has to be reduced for those who have high blood pressure it should be increased for those with low blood pressure.
  • Take it in water though to increase blood volume and help prevent dehydration.
  • If you don't want to take it like that try using nama shoyu
• Fruits rich in vitamin C
• Fibre
  • Beans (lentils)
  • Peas
• Nuts
• Vegetables to energise the body to become active
  • Take ocean greens, sea vegetables, vegetable juices

In many ways it would be true to say that guidelines for low blood pressure are the opposite as those for high blood pressure in that salt and protein should be increased. There are also many similarities because the essential maintenance of the heart requires a healthy diet of plenty of fruit and vegetables and plenty of exercise.

By TTS Cofounder Botanical Chef Omid Jaffari