| hout the majority of the Western World the | | | | Fat, and rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains and |
| incidences of High Blood Pressure, Stroke and | | | | low-fat dairy products. Apparently the results of this |
| Cardiovascular problems are rising. The main culprit it | | | | plan were so impressive that those who were part |
| would appear (according to experts) is the Western | | | | of the initial study group quickly experienced a |
| Diet. After much in depth research the conclusion | | | | significant lowering in the levels of their Blood |
| that most Scientists and experts have agreed upon | | | | Pressure. The initial volunteers on this study group |
| is that our great and glorious diet is actually a sleeping | | | | were chosen from a random population of people |
| disaster waiting to happen. I think the expression is | | | | suffering from Hypertension ad were randomly |
| Living La Dolce Vita, Life at the full and too much of | | | | assigned three various dietary programmes to follow. |
| almost everything that we enjoy. Is this a rather | | | | The first was based on the conventional American |
| depressing fact or not? It is not all bad news and if | | | | diet that was 37% of the calories provided from |
| we examine most studies and read between the lines | | | | fatty products. The second group was allocated a |
| and take the findings and result carefully, we can find | | | | programme largely the same but with the additional |
| that we can do something about all of this. We do | | | | benefits of added fruit and vegetables. The third |
| not have to sit back and just let all of this happen to | | | | group was allocated to the programme that later |
| us without doing something positive about it. The | | | | become known as the DASH Diet. This was 27% of |
| approach to dietary influences upon High Blood | | | | the calories from fat, plenty of fresh fruit and |
| Pressure almost changed overnight with the | | | | vegetables, whole grains, low fat or non fat dairy |
| publication in 1997 in the New England Journal of | | | | products and finally small amounts of meat, fish, |
| Medicine of the Dietary Approaches to stop | | | | poultry and nuts. It is not surprising when you analyse |
| Hypertension (DASH). Here at last was empirical | | | | the study which particular group emerged with the |
| evidence that through the adoption of a careful diet | | | | best results with the DASH group experiencing bigger |
| we could positively influence how we are affected | | | | drops on Blood Pressure levels that the others. What |
| by High Blood Pressure The DASH Diet The JNC | | | | was really remarkable about the findings of this study |
| (Joint National Committee on Health) adopted the | | | | is the results published were actually on a par or |
| results and findings of this study in such a positive | | | | better than results published as a result of |
| and glowing manner that all citizens were | | | | Pharmaceutical Trials for new drugs. Not bad eh? So |
| recommended to follow what has since become | | | | it would appear that now the evidence is actually in |
| known as the DASH Diet. The key recommendation | | | | front of us, we can do something about our health |
| here is that all people not just those suffering from | | | | (not just more exercise, though this is undoubtedly |
| High Blood Pressure should follow these dietary | | | | good too!) through what we actually consume. |
| principles. The diet proposes a regime that is low in | | | | |