The high rate of elevated blood pressure in developed countries is probably due to diet. By reducing sodium consumption and eating a healthy diet, such as DASH, patients with high blood pressure can take control of their health and lessen their dependence on medications. Although reducing salt consumption to 1.2 g a day is severe, it is possible to do so with proper education.
Nutritionists can help teach patients about sodium sources and how and where to cut back.
But if you want better results, do both, a new study shows. This recommendation is useful for people with and without hypertension, and for African Americans, who have a high rate of hypertension, researchers report. Almost 50 million people in the U.S. have hypertension, which increases the risk of heart disease. The DASH diet is rich in fruits, vegetables, low-fat dairy products, whole grains, poultry, fish, nuts, and includes only small amounts of red meat, sweets, and fats. For 30 days at a time, each group was allowed either 3.5 grams of sodium per day, the daily U.S. average, 2.3 grams per day, the maximum amount now recommended, or 1.2 grams per day.