Dash Works
WHY DOES A NUTRITION-BASED-REGIMEN WORK? Eating fruits, vegetables, whole grains and low-fat dairy products lower blood pressure in much the same way that a class of prescribed anti-hypertensive drugs do, but without the side effects, a new study has found.
Dietary approaches to stop hypertension (DASH) works. The decreases in systolic pressure (the upper number) and the diastolic pressure (the lower number) rivals those of the anti-hypertensive diuretic drugs, such as chlorathalidone (Hygroton) and chlorothiazide (Diuril). Restricting sodium intake can reduce blood pressure even further.
In the new study, researchers from the U.S. and Japan sought to explain how those foods lower the pressure. They found that people on the diet excrete more sodium and, in turn, more water that other people do, thus reducing the blood volume so the heart doesn’t have to pump as hard. Not surprisingly, the Nutrition-Based-Regimen works best in those whose blood pressure tends to react most to sodium intake: Older people, African Americans, and those with hypertension. Those groups may find that this regimen works with less or no salt restriction or medication. For those without hypertension, the NBR may help counter the tendency of blood pressure to rise with age. Eating several servings of fruits and vegetables a day is worth lowering the blood pressure while also lowering cholesterol and triglyceride levels, taking inches off the waist and pound off the scale. A possible reduction in cancer risk is another health benefit.
Dietary approaches to stop hypertension (DASH) works. The decreases in systolic pressure (the upper number) and the diastolic pressure (the lower number) rivals those of the anti-hypertensive diuretic drugs, such as chlorathalidone (Hygroton) and chlorothiazide (Diuril). Restricting sodium intake can reduce blood pressure even further.
In the new study, researchers from the U.S. and Japan sought to explain how those foods lower the pressure. They found that people on the diet excrete more sodium and, in turn, more water that other people do, thus reducing the blood volume so the heart doesn’t have to pump as hard. Not surprisingly, the Nutrition-Based-Regimen works best in those whose blood pressure tends to react most to sodium intake: Older people, African Americans, and those with hypertension. Those groups may find that this regimen works with less or no salt restriction or medication. For those without hypertension, the NBR may help counter the tendency of blood pressure to rise with age. Eating several servings of fruits and vegetables a day is worth lowering the blood pressure while also lowering cholesterol and triglyceride levels, taking inches off the waist and pound off the scale. A possible reduction in cancer risk is another health benefit.
The National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/public/heart/hbp/dash
A damage heart can’t pump properly and thus can’t circulate enough blood. As a result cells get too little oxygen, causing fatigue; fluid backs up into the lungs, causing congestion and shortness of breath (which is why the disease is sometimes called "congestive heart failure); and fluid also backs up into the veins, causing swollen ankles. The condition tends to worsen over time, until the failing heart cannot supply enough blood to sustain life.
Blood pressure monitors are available for under $30 and have a memory with dates and include blood pressure and pulse rate. Those who get their blood-pressure under control can cut their heart-failure risk in half. People with diabetes can lower their risk by eating the right foods.
Most common types of heart failure develop when the heart cannot contract forcefully enough to eject all the blood in its main pumping chamber, the form called systolic heart failure.
THE FIRST STEP TOWARDS AVOIDING HEART FAILURE is to make the lifestyle changes that help prevent most of the causative factors: stop smoking, limit alcohol intake, lose excess weight, exercise regularly and consume heart-healthy foods.
A damage heart can’t pump properly and thus can’t circulate enough blood. As a result cells get too little oxygen, causing fatigue; fluid backs up into the lungs, causing congestion and shortness of breath (which is why the disease is sometimes called "congestive heart failure); and fluid also backs up into the veins, causing swollen ankles. The condition tends to worsen over time, until the failing heart cannot supply enough blood to sustain life.
Blood pressure monitors are available for under $30 and have a memory with dates and include blood pressure and pulse rate. Those who get their blood-pressure under control can cut their heart-failure risk in half. People with diabetes can lower their risk by eating the right foods.
Most common types of heart failure develop when the heart cannot contract forcefully enough to eject all the blood in its main pumping chamber, the form called systolic heart failure.
THE FIRST STEP TOWARDS AVOIDING HEART FAILURE is to make the lifestyle changes that help prevent most of the causative factors: stop smoking, limit alcohol intake, lose excess weight, exercise regularly and consume heart-healthy foods.
posted by Stan Kent at
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