7. Hypertension

Blood pressure is the force exerted by blood against the walls of the vessels that carry it. When the heart contracts, the pressure is increased. When the heart relaxes, the pressure is decreased. The blood pressure is determined not only by the power of the heart expelling the blood, but also by the resistance to the blood flow encountered in the arterioles acting under the influence of the nervous system and of the hormones.

When our regulatory devices become impaired in any way, the arteries may constrict and stay that way. The blood pressure rockets. Physicians label this condition "essential hypertension." To correct this condition, we must simply eliminate the cause of all disease by living according to the needs of the body and eliminating poisons and enervating influences.

High blood pressure is a symptom that is present in many diseases. It is one of many endings of a series of crises in toxicosis. Dr. Shelton says, "Perhaps the greatest single cause of high blood pressure is toxemia resulting from checked elimination. Secondary toxemia, such as that seen in nephritis, and intestinal autointoxication arising out of gastrointestinal fermentation and putrefaction, all produce enough nerve irritation to cause nigh blood pressure. A high-protein diet gives rise to a particularly virulent irritation when it putrefies in the digestive tract."

Dr. Shelton further explains that any form of excess taxes the nervous system and brings on enervation, checking secretion and excretion. Checked secretion produces indigestion with its consequent intestinal autointoxication; checked excretion produces toxemia.

Fasting, especially a long fast, tends to lower the blood pressure. The blood is less viscous when fasting, and arterial obstructions are cleared out. The body is generally less congested and the blood flows more easily. The pulse goes down, the blood pressure drops, and energies are conserved. During the fast, the body removes its excess toxins and irritations. However, it is important that the person learn to live healthfully after the fast or the blood pressure will rise again. Dr. Shelton says, "To go to bed and fast and reduce blood pressure, and then return to the former mode of living—the former excesses and indulgences, to the poisonous vices and emotional habits, to the prior sexual excesses and to dishonesty, gambling, etc.—is to rapidly rebuild the pathological state that produced the high blood pressure."