High blood pressure (hypertension)
From The Nutritional Health Bible by Linda Lazarides (1997). This free database is provided for interest only. Linda's later writings refer to more up-to-date research.
Some causative factors- Deficiencies of essential fatty acids, calcium and magnesium.
The diets of 615 men were investigated and compared with blood pressure readings. A low intake of magnesium was most strongly correlated with increased rates of high blood pressure. The authors conclude that vegetables, fruits, whole grains and low-fat dairy items may be protective against high blood pressure. Am J Clin Nutr 45(2):469-75, 1987.
Data from 22 randomized clinical trials were pooled to investigate the effect of calcium supplementation on blood pressure. There was a statistically significant reduction in systolic blood pressure with calcium supplementation, in individuals with high and normal blood pressure. Allender PS et al: Dietary calcium and blood pressure: a meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials. Ann Intern Med 124(9):825-31, 1996.
Promising nutritional researchTest subjects with high blood pressure who were given fish oil supplements experienced a drop in blood pressure after four weeks. Knapp HR et al: The antihypertensive effects of fish oil. A controlled study of polyunsaturated fatty acid supplements in essential hypertension. N Engl J Med 320(16):1037-43, 1989.
In 100 hypertensive patients treated with a meat-free diet of unrefined grains, fruits, vegetables, nuts, oils and cottage cheese, mean systolic and diastolic blood pressures had dropped by 10 mmHg after 8 weeks compared with initial values and controls. Singh RB et al: Can dietary changes modulate blood pressure and blood lipids in hypertension. J Nutr Med 2:17-24, 1991.
6 grams of taurine per day for 7 days were administered to 19 young patients with borderline high blood pressure. Systolic blood pressure decreased by 9 mm Hg in the taurine-treated group, compared with 2.7 mm Hg in the placebo group. Plasma adrenaline levels also dropped significantly in the taurine-treated group. Fujita T et al: Effects of increased adrenomedullary activity and taurine in young patients with boderline hypertension. Circulation 75(3):525-32, 1987.
Excess body weight is associated with higher blood pressure. Weight reductions of only 4-5 kg (8-9 lb) can lead to normalization of blood pressure. It is estimated that up to 50% of adults in the United States who are on blood pressure controlling medications would need less of these if they lost only a modest amount of weight. McCarron DA et al: Body weight and blood pressure regulation. Am J Clin Nutr 63(3 Suppl):423S-425S, 1996.