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.
Test 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.
