Calgary physician says good diet is a lifesaver

Healthy eating benefits blood pressure

Cutting out processed and packaged foods and reducing the sodium in his diet has taken Dan Muruve’s blood pressure to normal levels.

And all without the need for medication.

About five years ago, when Dr. Muruve saw his blood pressure begin to creep up, he knew that he was “heading down the wrong path.”

A kidney specialist and researcher at the University of Calgary, Dr. Muruve treats hypertension in his own patients. “I know what I’m dealing with and it’s a real motivator. I know what the consequences will be.”

He decided to take action.

Dr. Muruve removed all salty processed foods from his diet, cut calories, focused on “natural foods” like fruits, vegetables, whole grains and lean meats.

The results? “A big health benefit.”

“My blood pressure is good, my cholesterol is amazing. All the cardiovascular risk factors have improved by changing my dietary habits.”

Dr. Muruve says that he has cut “salt intake by at least half of what it used to be. Now, when I eat processed foods I feel kind of sick.”

Within a month of making the lifestyle change, he felt more energetic and his blood pressure began to fall. His wife and children followed the new eating plan, too.

Today, Dr. Muruve, who is in his early 40s, continues with his healthy food plan. “When I’m at the grocery store I don’t buy processed food products. I make everything myself to cut out a huge amount of salt.” That means avoiding things like bottled salad dressings and canned beans and making his tomato sauce.

Dr. Muruve exercises five times a week and his lunch bag contains fruits and vegetables for snacking.

“It takes some adjustment. It’s hard at the beginning because it takes about a month to overcome a lot of cravings. But, once you get over that, it’s actually quite easy to maintain a steady diet.”

It’s clear that the payoffs are huge.

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