Effect of diet and weight reduction in hypertension.
Weight reduction by a low-energy diet and a high-polyunsaturates-, fiber- and potassium-rich diet may be independently useful to hypertensives. To study the effect of such diets, 416 hypertensives were randomized to either a low-energy cardiovasoprotective (CVP) diet (Group A; n = 106), a low-energy usual diet (Group B; n = 104), an optimal-energy CVP diet (Group C; n = 104), or an optimal-energy, usual pre-experimental diet (Group D; n = 102) plus drug therapy in a single-blind and controlled fashion. Groups A and B received significant (p less than 0.02) fewer calories per day than Groups C and D. Groups A and C also received significantly (p less than 0.02) more calories per amount of complex carbohydrates, polyunsaturates, potassium, and magnesium than did Groups B and D. Dietary compliance and drug intake was checked weekly. After 3 months, there was a significant fall in mean serum cholesterol (p less than 0.01) and mean serum triglycerides (p less than 0.05) in Group A compared with Group D. Group A and B patients had a loss of around 10kg of mean body weight, with no weight change seen in Group D. Weight loss was associated with a significant fall in systolic and diastolic pressures in both Group A (22/18mmHg) and Group B (16/13mmHg) compared with Group D at the end of the study. Group C patients also showed a significant fall in pressure (13/10mmHg) compared with Group D. Drug therapy, exercise, and salt intake were similar in all the groups.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Singh
R B
RB
Medical Hospital and Research Centre, Moradabad, India.
Rastogi
S S
SS
Mehta
P J
PJ
Mody
R
R
Garg
V
V
D000328:Adult; D000959:Antihypertensive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D004032:Diet; D004038:Diet, Reducing; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000178:diet therapy* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015431:Weight Loss
D000959:Antihypertensive Agents