Food for Low Blood Pressure

Low blood pressure can cause dizziness and fainting. It can also be an indirect sign or symptom of a serious heart condition or neurological disorder. Extremely low blood pressure may also deplete oxygen in the blood stream, starving the brain along with several other vital organs of oxygen and nutrients. If the body continues in this way, it can lead to a deadly condition called "shock."

Many breakfast cereals have folic acid and B12.

Anemia

There are many possible causes of low blood pressure. One of the most common causes is anemia. This condition occurs when the body is unable to produce enough red blood cells, which are essential to carrying oxygen and nutrients to organs and muscles. Anemia occurs when there is a deficiency of the vitamins B12 and folic acid in the body. Eating foods that are high in these vitamins will help to raise the red blood cell count needed for a healthy body.

Shellfish

Shellfish is one of the best sources of vitamin B12 outside of direct vitamin supplements. Shellfish can contain over 84 micrograms of the vitamin B12 in just a 3-ounce serving. That's over 1400% of the recommended daily value in one serving.

It is important to note that shellfish need to be cooked, baked or boiled in order to contain this amount. When breaded and fried, they only contain 1.1 micrograms of B12, in about 3/4 of a cup.

Fortified Cereals

Fortified breakfast cereals can contain up to 100% of the recommended daily value of B12. This is a good source of this vitamin for children who often do not like more common sources such as meat or eggs. Many breakfast cereals also contain up to 100% of the recommended daily value of folic acid.

Fortified cereals come with many different nutritional values depending on the manufacturer and brand. Always check the nutrition information panel on the side of the box to ensure that you are getting the proper recommended daily values.

Beef

Beef is another source of folic acid, containing roughly 185 micrograms, or 45% of the recommended daily value. It can be difficult to find folic acid in your everyday foods, so beef is often the easiest choice when seeking more folic acid in your diet. Under the Folate Fortification Program in the United States, most foods are artificially fortified with this vitamin in order to make it easier for the general public to acquire it.

Beef is also high in vitamin B12, containing around 780% of the daily value. Beef is one of the foods used to prevent or eliminate anemia, which is one of the leading causes of low blood pressure. It is important for vegetarians with low blood pressure to note their B12 intake and make sure that they are getting enough of it.

Rainbow Trout

Rainbow trout is the third best natural source of vitamin B12, containing an estimated 5.4 micrograms, or about 90% of the daily value.

Because of the relatively remote habitat of this species of trout, a native of southeast Alaska, it is not common for people to consume rainbow trout on a regular basis. Due to the cold climate and low population density in Alaska, rainbow trout is rarely fished for more than sport.

Canned Tuna

One of the more common ways of acquiring B12 is via ordinary white canned tuna. A single 3-ounce can contains 15% of the recommended daily value, or 1 microgram.

While this amount is not as large as some of the other foods mentioned, it is one of the least expensive and easily found foods that contain vitamin B12, essential to keeping a healthy blood pressure.

References

• Sources of Vitamin B12
• Causes of low blood pressure
• Rainbow Trout