Paleo Diet and Paleolithic Diet Questions & Answers

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I've read all of the other Postural Hypotension posts and it's mostly just playing around with macros (eat MOAR fat, eat MOAR carbs, etc.) and eat more sodium, potassium, and iodine and water. I have truly tried all of the above and if anything it's getting a little worse. My holistically minded doctor has me taking some adrenal support herbs and also trying the above and we've had no luck. I tend on the low side for blood pressure most of my life though it has risen slightly in the past 2 years so lately I've hovered around 110/65- 115/70 if I'm stressed. My temps hover on the higher side 99 or so and my blood-work looks good. 70 for D, TSH was 1.4, B-12 was a little on the high side (can't remember the exact number,) cholesterol was a good ratio, etc

Any other ideas for this issue? Is there a way to raise blood pressure? What else could be causing this? Should I try the classics? Lots of sugar and cigarettes next? hahaha

It's actually more than a little annoying because I often feel woozy when I try to exercise (hiit, cardio, or weights) unless it's a very mellow walk (I can walk for hours, though, even with my 35 pound toddler on my back.)

edited Sep 5 at 2:51

asked Sep 5 at 2:25

Aughra
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Kidneys help regulate bp. I'm thinking maybe a problem with aldosterone? – MiMintzer Sep 5 at 3:15

That is low blood pressure, but not scary low. I'm wondering if it might be something else then? Like an inner ear issue, the rocks in our ears can get stuck sometimes and make it hard to adapt quickly to a change in posture? Especially if you can carry the kiddo, but things that require a change in posture like hiit or weights cause wooziness. – Happy Now Sep 5 at 3:34

yeah like I said, they've improved a bit since I started ancestral eating about 2 years ago. Still have the dizziness and postural hypotension though. Is there a website or book you'd recommend on fixing the aldosterone (adrenal/ kidney) problem? Google searches show all sorts of junk and stances. – Aughra Sep 5 at 3:53

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AshleyRoz, you'd have to make sure that is the actual problem first. I'm guessing you don't want a pharmaceutical but fludrocortisone is an aldosterone agonist. Also, when I practiced pharmacy we did have a patient on midodrine that seemed to help her. But again, you would need to have this evaluated further and decide what you want to do. I did a google search and found this article which may be helpful (or not): ccjm.org/content/77/5/298.full – MiMintzer Sep 5 at 4:12

OK. We're in the process of moving to Europe but I'll take that to my new doctor when we're settled. Thanks! – Aughra Sep 5 at 14:16

daz · Answer 1 · 2012-10-02 00:08:31Z UTC

you've probably seen all this before, but here's what (i think) helped me raise my blood pressure a bit (still low/normal) & got rid of my postural hypotension.

reduced my Magnesium supplement intake from 600mg to 400mg (elemental magnesium). I read that Magnesium lowers blood pressure.
supplemented with salt tablets (600mg sodium chloride per tablet); i supplemented for about 5 days, starting with 1 tablet & built up to 3 or 4 per day.
reduced my water intake until there was colour in my urine. i was over-hydrating & most likely throwing all my electrolytes out of balance. i was peeing a lot (too much, too often) and it was usually clear.

That seemed to work for me.
Since then, i replaced the salt tablets with fine sea salt (white, not coloured, 100% sea salt, no flow agent etc) & may be take 1 salt tablet after a sweaty workout.
I also added potassium chloride powder to the mix, because i think my diet may have been deficient when compared with sodium. probably dose about 1/4 tsp KCl for every 1/3 tsp sea salt one to three times per day depending on 'gut feel' (am i craving salty foods) & sweat loss.
& also still making sure i have colour in my urine, which is harder than it sounds for me, i find i can easily over-hydrate & have clear pee.

For me, it seemed to be all about electrolyte balance, & i focussed on sodium, potassium and magnesium.

It may be worth checking your daily electrolyte intake using something like cronometer.com (if you haven't already).

Side Note, my body temps are on the low side, unlike yours.

good luck

Edit to add a bit more info (follow up to comment);
I should add that other things that i discounted that may have similar symptoms to postural hypotension were anemia (via a blood test) & hypoglycemia (low blood sugar), i have my own blood glucose meter. I also bought myself a blood pressure monitor to monitor that.

Magnesium did seem to help me a lot with various complaints, in my particular case i believe i was deficient at one time. I was probably supplementing with up to 900mg per day at one point. But then i stopped feeling any 'improvements' & started reducing the Mg.
I now take 200mg elem Magnesium (in the form of 1.3 grams Magnesium Malate) twice a day (one in am, one early evening).
I think getting the balance right is the key; magnesium/sodium/potassium.
Magnesium lowers blood pressure (google for refs), so i may have gone overboard (esp in ratio to sodium & potassium).

& drinking excessive water (more than the body needs) can dilute your body salts (electrolytes).
The 'drink 8 glasses of water a day' thing is a myth. water requirement (& electrolytes) will vary, that's why i generally go by 'feel' & urination frequency & colour.
remember you will also be getting water from food (esp fruit & veg) & liquids (tea, coffee, milk, juices..etc).

Dragonfly · Answer 2 · 2012-09-05 13:37:15Z UTC

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I have had blood pressure on the low side, too. I was very woozy when I went Primal!

All I needed to do was get my Magnesium up. I started taking 400 mg Mag Citrate caps before bed & the problem disappeared.

answered Sep 5 at 13:37

Dragonfly
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Taking magnesium and also take epsom salt baths. Been doing that for about 6 months. How long did it take you to notice a difference? – Aughra Sep 5 at 14:12

Probably only a couple of months. I do notice right away if I forget to take it! Luckily dark chocolate is high in Magnesium. Maybe an absorption issue for you? – Dragonfly Sep 5 at 14:29

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Yeah but I'm taking it orally as well. I can't stand the "oil" it makes me itch like a lice infected 5 year old. – Aughra Sep 5 at 14:37

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tmi? hahahahaha – Aughra Sep 5 at 14:37

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I've experimented with where it itches (that seems to be universal response, and I think why they say you can rinse it off after 20 min.), and where it doesn't. Armpits and feet, no problem (I use mag. oil as deodorant) but if it drips down my side super itchy for 20-30 minutes and then it stops. – Happy Now Sep 5 at 18:30

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Postural Hypotension before and after paleo/extra salt/low + moderate carb any other ideas?

2 Answers