Reduction in blood pressure with a low sodium, high potassium, high magnesium salt in older subjects with mild to moderate hypertension.
OBJECTIVE
To examine the effect of a reduced sodium and increased potassium and magnesium intake on blood pressure.


METHODS
Randomised double blind placebo controlled trial.


METHODS
General population of a suburb of Rotterdam.


METHODS
100 men and women between 55 and 75 years of age with untreated mild to moderate hypertension.


METHODS
During 24 weeks the intervention group received a mineral salt (sodium: potassium: magnesium 8:6:1) and foods prepared with the mineral salt. Controls received common salt and foods.


METHODS
Change in blood pressure.


RESULTS
Complete follow up was achieved for 97 of the 100 randomised subjects. Systolic blood pressure (mean of measurements at weeks 8, 16, and 24) fell by 7.6 mm Hg (95% confidence interval 4.0 to 11.2) and diastolic blood pressure by 3.3 mm Hg (0.8 to 5.8) in the mineral salt group compared with the controls, with a 28% decrease in urinary sodium excretion and a 22% increase in urinary potassium excretion. Twenty five weeks after the study the difference in blood pressure between the groups was no longer detectable.


CONCLUSIONS
Replacing common sodium salt by a low sodium, high potassium, high magnesium mineral salt could offer a valuable non-pharmacological approach to lowering blood pressure in older people with mild to moderate hypertension.
Geleijnse
J M
JM
Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Erasmus University Medical School, Rotterdam, Netherlands.
Witteman
J C
JC
Bak
A A
AA
den Breeijen
J H
JH
Grobbee
D E
DE
D000368:Aged; D001794:Blood Pressure; D001835:Body Weight; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000178:diet therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000652:urine; D008019:Life Style; D008274:Magnesium / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011188:Potassium / Q000652:urine; D017419:Potassium, Dietary / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D012964:Sodium / Q000652:urine; D012982:Sodium, Dietary / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D013649:Taste
D017419:Potassium, Dietary; D012982:Sodium, Dietary; D012964:Sodium; D008274:Magnesium; D011188:Potassium