High Blood Pressure

High blood pressure is at epidemic proportions in countries where fast food is consumed. Fried foods found in fast food restaurants are one of the single greatest causes of high blood pressure, and the subsequent strokes that occur. The reasons for this will be explained in this page.

High blood pressure results mostly from the intake over time of trans fats/and oils, also called hydrogenated oils, used in fast food restaurants. These fats/oils are used to fry the French fries, fried chicken, fried apple pies, and other fried items, and are as well used in making the various types of bread. Trans fats are man-made oils and fats, because they do not occur naturally. The history of hydrogenation is this: About 50 years ago scientists discovered that by forcing hydrogen into cooking oils under pressure, they could increase the shelf life of these oils in the supermarket. Thus they did not become rancid as quickly, and so it was easier to store them. The problem is that when products made with these oils are consumed, they cause the blood to become sticky, thus trapping natural food substances traveling in the veins and arteries, such as minerals and cholesterol.

Cholesterol

Cholesterol, by the way, is NOT the problem that some in the medical profession would have you believe, however. It is a natural substance produced in the liver, and its job is to help in transporting fats that are consumed, and depositing them in storage areas in the body, such as the stomach, buttocks, etc. In addition cholesterol is absolutely essential in order for the body to be able to produce many of the hormones that run the entire body.