HealthDay - WEDNESDAY, Sept. 3 (HealthDay News) — Children who gain weight rapidly
in the first five months of life and from ages 2 to 5 have higher blood
pressure as adults, a new study finds.

But rapid weight gain that early in life shouldn’t be a major cause of worry for parents, said Dr. Yoav Ben-Shlomo, a professor of clinical epidemiology at the University of Bristol in England, and lead author of a report in the October issue of Hypertension.

“In absolute terms, the relationship is moderate,” Ben-Shlomo said. The difference in the study was about 2.5 points in systolic blood pressure, the higher number in a 120/80 blood pressure reading.

Nevertheless, he said, the finding “adds to the scientific literature evidence that conditions not only in the womb but also in early childhood can predispose to various disease, such as diabetes.”

The information comes from a study done in Wales more than two decades ago to see whether giving pregnant women and children extra milk would help the children grow better. (It didn’t have much effect.) As part of the study, children were weighed 10 days after birth, then at six weeks, three months, six months and nine months, and periodically in the following years.

Looking at their blood pressure at age 25 or so, the researchers found not only the relationship between early weight gain but also weight at birth — lower-weight newborns tended to have higher adult systolic blood pressure.

The finding is of interest “in public health terms, showing that there might be a change in future patterns of disease,” Ben-Shlomo said. “In terms of predicting disease on an individual parental level, I wouldn’t be too concerned.”

“My two children grew rapidly, and it doesn’t bother me,” he said.

The results confirm the findings of animal trials, which have shown that rapid early growth of laboratory rats is associated with higher blood pressure later in life, said Barbara T. Alexander, an associate professor of physiology at the University of Mississippi who has done such trials and wrote an accompanying editorial. The meaning of the results in medical terms is uncertain, she said.

“Clinicians need to look at these studies and at some point make suggestions about what to do,” Alexander said.

Both animal and human results indicate that “not only the time during gestation but also the first few months of life are very critical in programming health,” she said, adding that, “a lot of this research has not yet been translated into actual applications.”

“At what point they are going to be translated, I don’t know,” Alexander said. “But it is something that should be of consideration in future health care.”

More information

Learn more about normal and high blood pressure from the American Heart Association.

Wouldn’t it be great if you could get all of the benefits of a high blood pressure medication without the damaging side effects? Well you can if you just know what foods to eat and how to supplement them with a few good choices. When it comes to managing blood pressure it often is the combination of the food and lifestyle choices you make each day that can be the difference between life long dependency on medication or a life of good nutrition and health.

The intent of blood pressure medication prescribed by your doctor is to quickly and continuously lower blood pressure readings for
both the systolic and diastolic readings - the top and bottom numbers. Sometimes the problem lies with just one of those
readings - either as the heart beats or the pressure between beats as the heart rests.

Blood pressure medication causes one of three main reactions. They either increase the size of the blood vessel (vasodilator); flush out the blood vessel of salt and water and create freer blood flow with less volume (diuretic); or slow down the heart beat (beta blockers).

Top 3 High Blood Pressure Medications

1. Doxazosin (brand name Wytensin) is a vasodilator that relaxes blood vessel walls. Its negative side effects include rapid
heartbeat and fluid retention, so often other medications must be prescribed to counter act these side effects, which can raise blood pressure. Also, this medication is associated with some gastrointestinal problems and impotence.

2. Hydrochlorothiazide (under brand names Carozine, HydroDiuril or Diaqua) is a potassium reserving diuretic. It is intended to hang on to the potassium, an important mineral in lowering blood pressure that can get dangerously low with diuretic usage. The
resulting side effects however are dizziness, muscle weakness and especially cramping.

3. Acebutolo (brand name Sectral) is a beta blocker intended to decrease the heart rate and blood flow. The side effects are a
lowering of the good cholesterol (HDL) and a rapid heart rate can occur if the medication is suddenly stopped.

Get the Same Results without Drugs

To get the same benefits of the most commonly prescribed medications without the negative side effects there are natural
alternatives. Diet is the number one way to increase the desirable reactions, but exercise contributes greatly too.

For example, the same reaction caused by vasodilators can take place when you get enough L-Arginine. This amino acid lets the
walls of the blood vessels relax. You can take a supplement or get it through animal proteins, peanuts or soy.

By drinking plenty of water, at least 8 glasses each day, you can accomplish the same diuretic effects of the prescription. You will flush out excess salt and other toxins that can increase blood pressure. You can keep your potassium levels in a good range by eating fresh bananas and potatoes.

Finally, to get the same benefits of a slower heart rate and freer flowing blood without lowering your good cholesterol you can keep your heart strong with Hawthorne and through routine cardiovascular exercise that will allow the heart to work more efficiently.

If You Want To Uncover The Truth About Hypertension And Discover An Alternative Solution To Drugs, I Suggest You Take Just A Few Minutes of Your Time Right Now And Read My Shocking Special Report:

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This article is based on the book, “The Silent Killer Exposed” by Frank Mangano. Frank is an active member of his community
who works diligently providing assistance to senior citizens and probing as a health advocate to discover new and innovative
ways to promote well being. Find out how you can maintain healthy blood pressure at: http://www.thesilentkillerexposed.com

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