Low Fat Dairy Encouraged to Fight Hypertension

Low-Fat dairy products may be influential on lowering high-blood pressure, according to a new study by the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. The study showed people who consumed more low-fat dairy had a lower risk of hypertension than those who consumed less low-fat dairy.

The problem of hypertension is growing in the U.S., as the number of adults with the health problem has increased by 30 percent over the last decade. In fact, it is estimated by the National Dairy Council that 1/3 of American adults, or over 50 million people, suffer from hypertension, many unknowingly. Hypertension can lead to coronary heart disease, heart failure, stroke, kidney failure and memory loss. The National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute believes that if blood pressure is high to normal, lifestyle changes should be made to modify dietary habits.

The National Dairy Council endorses a diet called the DASH menu as a way for Americans to stay healthy. DASH, or Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension, includes 3 daily servings of low-fat dairy foods and 8-10 servings of fruits and vegetables. The DASH diet focuses on food high in calcium, potassium, magnesium and other nutrients. Examples of dairy that can be incorporated into a healthy diet are skim milk, low-fat cheese or yogurt. Studies on the DASH diet have proven its effectiveness in lowering high blood pressure, more so than by simply eating fruits and vegetables.

A follow-up study, called the DASH-Sodium trial, confirmed the positive effects of DASH. By also lowering sodium the diet showed even stronger results on blood pressure. According to DASH researcher Dr. David Harsha, if the whole American population adopted DASH, it would reduce deaths from cardiovascular disease by 15 percent and stroke by 27 percent. In fact, the diet is consistent with dietary recommendations for other conditions such as heart disease, colon cancer and osteoporosis.

Many professional health groups like the American Heart Association support DASH, and support for this dairy diet continues to grow.

For more information about the DASH diet, see the website for the National Dairy Council or Medical News Today.