A diet low in both fat and saturated fat, helps lower blood cholesterol and triglycerides, which may decrease the risk of developing atherosclerosis. Reducing fat intake can also help with weight loss, which may lower blood pressure. Recommendations are to keep dietary fat intake below 30 percent of your total calories. Too little of some other nutrients including potassium, calcium, and magnesium, may have an important link to high blood pressure. Adequate intakes of these minerals may actually have a protective effect against high blood pressure.
Potassium is found in a wide variety of foods, but especially fruits and vegetables.
Milk is a good source of all three nutrients. The best recommendation at this time is to follow the number of servings from the Food Guide Pyramid including two to three milk servings and five or more fruit and vegetable servings daily. For some individuals potassium may be beneficial, but for individuals with kidney problems potassium may be restricted. As a result, potassium chloride salt substitutes are not recommended for everyone. Check with your doctor before using a potassium chloride salt substitute.