How I Roll With Stress – Jayne Ottman, RN MS

A couple of years ago I would have blown a gasket if I looked out and saw my yard flooding.  This morning I awoke to a lovely 4 inch pond of Snake River water covering my yard-over the well-head, my raspberry patch, the horseshoe pit and flowerbeds.  And it was steadily creeping into the fire pit.  I simply chuckled, called the ranch owner and asked if someone had messed with the head gate up in the north pasture. “Sure nuff”, he replied.  Six hours later, it’s still creeping towards the house and no sign of retreating.   But here’s the real prize, a new family of robins are out there preening themselves in the birdbath, a few geese have landed-(perhaps they think it’s a new river channel), the dogs have a nice watering hole and I have more wildlife to view.  I roll with life’s blips without the drama, the blaming, the heated discussions and the fuming. It’s awesome!  It’s because I’ve changed the way I eat.

There are lots of ways to jack up one’s blood pressure.  As a nurse, checking this vital sign was important but I never gave much thought to how this deadly disease can be related to food, until Genesis came into my life.  Oh, I’d nod and say to the despairing patient, sleep more, exercise, lower your salt and reduce stress. But I rarely discussed nutrition.  My ways certainly have changed.

Most folks understand the connection between sodium and blood pressure.  Too bad the FDA’s Sodium Reduction Initiative in US food products will take about 10 years to go into effect.  But as it turns out, sodium is not the only culprit.  Fructose, a simple sugar and key component also found in table sugar (sucrose) and in high fructose corn syrup ( known as HFCS), is added in massive amounts to yogurts, breads, cookies, salad dressings, juices, sodas and just about any processed food.

Researchers at the University of Colorado-Denver Health Sciences Center found that among 4,528  adults (over 18 yrs) who consumed 74 grams or more of fructose (about 2 ½ sodas) experienced a 26%-77% increase in high blood pressure.  (Anything over 120/80).

While not a soft drink consumer, I’ve had my fair share of fructose in foods in the past.  Not again.  I take my health seriously and value the effects of good nutrition.  I now have additional information for clients who struggle with hypertension and are fructose junkies.

Jayne Ottman RN MS

Certified Genesis Transformation Coach

Jackson Hole, WY