Diabetes, characterized by abnormally high blood sugar levels, is six times more common now than it was in the 1950s and is climbing rapidly.
Most diabetics are on limited-sugar diets.
Last week the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute unveiled new guidelines for preventing and treating hypertension, defined as a reading of 140 over 90 or higher. The diet can be found at on the Web. Officials say only 1 in 5 Americans consumes the recommended amount of fat, and fewer than 1 in 3 meets the goal of five or more servings of fruits and vegetables a day. Many people quit taking blood-pressure medication because of high costs or side effects, so officials urge patients to start by taking low doses. They also recommend weight loss, healthy eating, brisk walks, and limited drinking.