The effects of macronutrients on blood pressure and lipids: an overview of the DASH and OmniHeart trials.
Macronutrients are those nutrients (protein, fat, and carbohydrate) that provide energy. The purpose of this review is to highlight findings of three large-scale, isocaloric feeding studies: the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) trial, the DASH-Sodium trial, and the Optimal Macro-Nutrient Intake to Prevent Heart Disease (OmniHeart) trial. Each of these trials tested the effects of diets with different macronutrient profiles on traditional cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors (ie, blood pressure and blood lipids) in the setting of stable weight. The DASH and DASH-sodium trials demonstrated that a carbohydrate-rich diet that emphasizes fruits, vegetables, and low-fat dairy products and that is reduced in saturated fat, total fat, and cholesterol substantially lowered blood pressure and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol. OmniHeart demonstrated that partial replacement of carbohydrate with either protein (about half from plant sources) or with unsaturated fat (mostly monounsaturated fat) can further reduce blood pressure, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and coronary heart disease risk. Results from these trials highlight the importance of macronutrients as a determinant of CVD risk. Furthermore, these results also document substantial flexibility that should enhance the ability of individuals to consume a heart-healthy diet.
Miller
Edgar R
ER
National Institute on Aging, National Institutes of Health, 3001 South Hanover Street, 5th Floor, Room NM-530, Baltimore, MD 21225, USA. milleredg@mail.nih.gov
Erlinger
Thomas P
TP
Appel
Lawrence J
LJ
D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000502:physiology*; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D003327:Coronary Disease / Q000097:blood / Q000178:diet therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D004040:Dietary Carbohydrates / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004041:Dietary Fats / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004044:Dietary Proteins / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000097:blood / Q000178:diet therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D008055:Lipids / Q000097:blood*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D004040:Dietary Carbohydrates; D004041:Dietary Fats; D004044:Dietary Proteins; D008055:Lipids