Long-term effects of a plant-based dietary portfolio of cholesterol-lowering foods on blood pressure.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the effect on blood pressure of dietary advice to consume a combination of plant-based cholesterol-lowering foods (dietary portfolio).


METHODS
For 1 year, 66 hyperlipidemic subjects were prescribed diets high in plant sterols (1.0 g/1000 kcal), soy protein (22.5 g/1000 kcal), viscous fibers (10 g/1000 kcal) and almonds (22.5 g/1000 kcal). There was no control group. Seven-day diet record, blood pressure and body weight were monitored initially monthly and later at 2-monthly intervals throughout the study.


RESULTS
Fifty subjects completed the 1-year study. When the last observation was carried forward for non-completers (n=9) or those who changed their blood pressure medications (n=7), a small mean reduction was seen in body weight 0.7+/-0.3 kg (P=0.036). The corresponding reductions from baseline in systolic and diastolic blood pressure at 1 year (n=66 subjects) were -4.2+/-1.3 mm Hg (P=0.002) and -2.3+/-0.7 mm Hg (P=0.001), respectively. Blood pressure reductions occurred within the first 2 weeks, with stable blood pressures 6 weeks before and 4 weeks after starting the diet. Diastolic blood pressure reduction was significantly related to weight change (r=0.30, n=50, P=0.036). Only compliance with almond intake advice related to blood pressure reduction (systolic: r=-0.34, n=50, P=0.017; diastolic: r=-0.29, n=50, P=0.041).


CONCLUSIONS
A dietary portfolio of plant-based cholesterol-lowering foods reduced blood pressure significantly, related to almond intake. The dietary portfolio approach of combining a range of cholesterol-lowering plant foods may benefit cardiovascular disease risk both by reducing serum lipids and also blood pressure.
Jenkins
D J A
DJ
Clinical Nutrition & Risk Factor Modification Center, St Michael's Hospital, Toronto, ON, Canada.
Kendall
C W C
CW
Faulkner
D A
DA
Kemp
T
T
Marchie
A
A
Nguyen
T H
TH
Wong
J M W
JM
de Souza
R
R
Emam
A
A
Vidgen
E
E
Trautwein
E A
EA
Lapsley
K G
KG
Josse
R G
RG
Leiter
L A
LA
Singer
W
W
D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000502:physiology*; D001835:Body Weight / Q000502:physiology*; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000097:blood*; D002791:Cholesterol, Dietary / Q000008:administration & dosage; D015930:Diet Records; D004043:Dietary Fiber / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006949:Hyperlipidemias / Q000097:blood / Q000178:diet therapy*; D006973:Hypertension / Q000178:diet therapy* / Q000209:etiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009765:Obesity / Q000178:diet therapy / Q000503:physiopathology; D010840:Phytosterols / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology; D027861:Prunus; D030262:Soybean Proteins / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology; D015431:Weight Loss
D002791:Cholesterol, Dietary; D004043:Dietary Fiber; D010840:Phytosterols; D030262:Soybean Proteins; D002784:Cholesterol