High blood pressure, potassium deficiency and upper cervical subluxation

by Dr. Howard Loomis

Previous columns have featured ways to increase your practice by specializing in preventing chronic degenerative disorders. Recently, I finished the subject of preventing Type II or adult onset diabetes. The goal was to identify those at risk and guide them through lifestyle changes before prescription drugs were started. In other words, effectively specializing in the non-disease condition of "pre-diabetes." This plan is clearly ethical, rewarding and professionally satisfying.

This month's column continues the theme of early recognition and is devoted to identifying and preventing hypertension.

Late in 2002, the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute issued updated guidelines for identifying hypertension and strongly recommended changes in diet and exercise to prevent the condition. It reported that calcium and fatty acid supplements offered only very modest improvement. In addition, it said that physicians are reluctant to prescribe drugs for people with high-normal pressure readings. In other words, these patients can be categorized as "pre-hypertensive" and treatment with pharmaceutical drugs cannot be started until hypertension can be diagnosed.

The report stated that lifestyle changes are often enough to prevent the onset of hypertension (see chart for the updated blood pressure readings for categorizing your patients).

Readings are for adults (18 years and older). When the systolic and diastolic readings fall into different categories, the higher category should be selected.

When the systolic and diastolic readings fall into different categories, the higher category should be selected.

Obviously, the goal is to identify your patients who are in the high-normal category. The Institute reported that 23 million Americans fall within that category while over 50 million can be classified as having hypertension. Both groups are at risk for cardiovascular disease.

The new guidelines underscored the importance of a diet high in fresh fruits and vegetables and low in low-fat dairy products. They also stress the importance of a dietary intake of 3,500 milligrams of potassium every day. Catfish, bananas, and green beans are examples of potassium-rich foods. The report recommends sodium intake should be kept to no more than 2.4 grams per day and alcohol consumption be limited to two drinks per day for men and one for women.

It is these dietary guidelines for potassium that should immediately get your attention. Nutrition plays a key role by enabling cells, tissues, and organs to respond appropriately to autonomic stimulation. In order to respond to parasympathetic stimulation, it is necessary for potassium to accumulate inside the cells of those tissues being stimulated. Potassium deficiency results in symptoms of sympathetic dominance because the cells lack adequate potassium to respond to parasympathetic stimulation. One of the symptoms of sympathetic dominance is increased vasoconstriction and decreased capability of vasodilation.

This deficiency will not become obvious until the cells, tissues, or organs are required to respond and cannot because of the deficiency. At that time, symptoms of visceral dysfunction become evident since normal body functions are either occurring too fast or too slow or incompletely, and signs or symptoms become obvious.

The symptoms of sympathetic dominance are many, and I refer you to the many good textbooks in your library for details. What is more germane to this column are the many symptoms of potassium deficiency that may also be found in patients at risk for developing hypertension. Primary among them are constipation, stiff or sore joints, bradycardia (or the feeling of skipped heartbeats) and even a "clouded sensorium." This symptom is being seen more and more in our present society. It is usually referred to as the inability to think clearly or concentrate (attention deficit).

When asked what is the major cause of potassium deficiencies in North America, many respond by blaming diuretics and blood pressure medications. But, that is seldom the case. The primary cause of potassium depletion is excessive refined white sugar and flour use, a very common problem.

In several previous columns, I have delineated the reason why there is always contraction in those muscles that share a common innervation with the distressed visceral organ. These common neurological connections originate as the central nervous system develops and establishes its connections in the 16- to 21-day-old embryo.

Muscle contractions associated with sympathetic dominance and potassium deficiency will occur anywhere an organ/tissue cannot respond to parasympathetic stimulation. That fact enables chiropractors to pinpoint potential health problems and prevent them. It also allows correction of chronic problems before medicine recognizes the pathology.

In the case of hypertension due to potassium deficiency and lack of adequate parasympathetic response, muscle contraction will occur in the upper cervical section of the spine. This is related to the Vagus nerve and the role it plays in stimulating the parasympathetic nervous system.

I suggest checking each patient's blood pressure and pulse on every visit and recording the results. Palpate for muscle contraction in the upper cervical spine when appropriate. You may be surprised at the effect it has on your practice.

(Dr. Loomis welcomes input on the subjects covered in his column. To make a comment or ask a question, write to him at 6421 Enterprise Lane, Madison, WI 53719. Call 800/662-2630 for a free copy of his booklet "Introduction to the Viscero-Somatic System" and/or dates of upcoming Loomis Institute seminars. Visit www.loomisenzymes.com online for more information about the Institute and its offerings.)