Low Blood Pressure (Hypotension, with dizziness) and staying raw
I was wondering if anyone has any advice about dealing with this condition. I've been 80% raw for about six months now, and often, 15 minutes to an hour after eating, my blood pressure will plummet. I get dizzy and feel disoriented, and have to sit down or lie down quickly. This happened yesterday after a meal of salad with avocado and dulse, a small amount of miso paste dressing, and a cacao smoothie made with bananas and almond milk. I find it happens more frequently if I eat a completely raw meal, and less frequently if I eat something like quinoa or chickpeas (cooked.) It also happened to me the other night after drinking the water from two coconuts.
I am at a healthy weight. I eat a ton of fruit (bananas, apples, blackberries, and gojis are my favorites), avocados, and greens. I take in about 1,500 calories a day. I think I have a pretty ideal diet, and I really want to stick to it, but my body seems to need small quantities of cooked carbs. Is there anything I should be doing? Do frequent dizzy spells merit a trip to a doctor or naturopath?
I am in NYC.
I am at a healthy weight. I eat a ton of fruit (bananas, apples, blackberries, and gojis are my favorites), avocados, and greens. I take in about 1,500 calories a day. I think I have a pretty ideal diet, and I really want to stick to it, but my body seems to need small quantities of cooked carbs. Is there anything I should be doing? Do frequent dizzy spells merit a trip to a doctor or naturopath?
I am in NYC.
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Janna on -
I agree with you! That's why, if I am attempting to be all raw, I have to mainline bananas. My body seems to be saying, "Carbs right now, please!" Is that your experience too?
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Permalink Reply by VOID on -
Yes, you probably are hypoglycaemic...your blood sugar levels are low because you are not eating enough!
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Permalink Reply by Raw Artist, Alice Mason on -
Isn't it the case that they found indigenous people who ate cacao and their blood pressure was very low?
I read this somewhere. Try to leave out the cacao and see if you feel better.
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Permalink Reply by VOID on
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Hey
1500 calories is way too little. Hypotension is usually caused by underconsumption of calories. Increase your caloric intake by another 1000 if youre exercising (which you should be).
Take care
Adam x
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Permalink Reply by Janna on
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Thanks for all of the great advice! I will cut out the cacao, and pare down nuts and oils, which seem to give me trouble. I feel like I do better on steamed vegetables than a raw combo-abombo! Is 1500 calories really that low for a woman with a small frame who gets only modest exercise? I walk about a mile a day, but nothing very strenuous. I am 5' 8" and weigh 125 lbs.
Thanks!
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Permalink Reply by VOID on
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1500 calories is certainly not enough. Your brain alone needs 1200calories. I dont recommend females consume under 2000calories.
Steamed veggies are certainly easier to digest than a high fat combo-abombo but will rpovide far less calories. Steamed veggies (unless youre talking about potatoes) will not really provide you with any calories.
Take care
Adam x
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Permalink Reply by Erin on -
I used to be VERY hypotensive- almost to the point of blacking out when I'd stand up. Adrenal fatigue is a major cause.
The reason for this is that when the adrenals are fatigued, the hormone which regulates our sodium/potassium balance isn't secreted and our balance shifts in favor of potassium, our sodium levels drop way down and so does our blood pressure.
Another symptom indicative of this is heat fatigue/intolerance. Do you just wilt and lose all muscle energy in hot weather?
Many raw diets are so high in potassium and low in relative sodium (even if you're eating some salt, your body loses it quickly) that it can make hypotension much worse for some. I solved my problem by working on my adrenals (which I'm still doing- it can take awhile) and upping my salt.
Yes- I know it's not popular advice, but upping your sodium (I use RealSalt) can make a WORLD of difference! I put it in my smoothies and in my water. This summer I was able to be out in the heat, no problem. Salting your water can also help you to stay way more hydrated.
You can test your adrenal function with a pupil dilation test- scroll down this page to see the instructions (and read the article, too!)
http://www.treatingandbeating.com/adrenalfatigue.html
If you think this is your problem, I HIGHLY recommend this book:
http://www.adrenalfatigue.org/
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Permalink Reply by Janna on
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Thank you, I will check that out. Before I was raw, I used to overuse laxatives, so it's possible my adrenals are in a bad way. If I put sea salt on my salads, would that help? I am very sensitive to any temperature extremes, but cold weather is actually worse for me; by body sometimes has difficulty keeping up its internal temperature.
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Permalink Reply by Janna on
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I went to the second website, and was shocked. This is me to a T. I have trouble getting up every morning, and always feel better after 6pm. That's why I took nearly all evening classes in college! And as for potassium balance, I eat bananas every day... do I need to stop?
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Permalink Reply by Erin on
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I feel better avoiding bananas. You may need more sodium than you realize- juicing celery would be great. Keep in mind that some people need up to a TBS of salt a day for awhile (I know- that's a CRAZY amount. I don't use that much- maybe a 1/2- 1 tsp. a day).
So you might want to add a big pinch to all the water you drink.
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