The Dash Diet is high in fruits, vegetables, low-fat dairy products, and reduced saturated and total fat to lower blood pressure. This emphasizes foods high in nutrients such as potassium, magnesium, calcium, and fiber that have been linked to antihypertensive effects.
Increased sodium chloride (table salt) intake is a major factor elevating blood pressure and is a risk factor for cardiovascular and renal disease. Blood pressure rises with increased sodium chloride intake and has a greater response to changes in sodium below 2,300 mg. Besides reducing sodium chloride intake, other factors that can decrease blood pressure include weight loss, moderation of alcohol intake, and consuming a diet based on the The Dash Diet.
The Dash Diet provides for two levels of daily sodium consumption: 2,300 mg and 1,500 mg. According to a 2006 scientific statement from the American Heart Association Nutrition Committee, a 1,500-mg sodium diet is not readily achievable until there is an increased availability of low sodium, good tasting commercial foods. (4) Processed foods currently provide 75–80% of salt intake. For this reason, only the 2,300-mg sodium is provided.
The 2,300-mg sodium should be used with caution in the following circumstances:
1. This diet is high in potassium and increases risk of hyperkalemia for elderly with one or more of these diagnoses: diabetes, chronic renal insufficiency, end-stage renal disease, severe heart failure, and adrenal insufficiency.
2. It may increase risk of hyperkalemia if one or more medications are taken that impair potassium excretion. These drugs include oral potassium supplements, β-adrenergic blockers, nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs, angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors, and potassium-sparing diuretics.
3. Older adults may limit their caloric intake and increase their risk of nutritional deficiencies.
4. This diet is not recommended for people with stage 3 or 4 chronic kidney disease due to the high potassium and phosphorus content of the diet.
The Dash Diet reduces blood pressure with an eating plan low in saturated fat, cholesterol, and total fat and high in fruits, vegetables, fat-free or low-fat (1% milk) and low-fat milk products. This diet can be adapted for weight loss if needed, which will also decrease blood pressure.
This The Dash Diet Principles article taken from :
Simplified Diet Manual, Eleventh Edition.
Edited by Andrea K. Maher.
