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Experts say the DASH diet can help lower
your blood pressure. Do you know what
the DASH diet is?
To start, DASH stands for Dietary
Approaches to Stop Hypertension. Simply
stated, hypertension is the medical
term for high blood pressure. This
diet differs from most other traditional
diets as it does not restrict the
quantity of food you may eat, but
rather encourages people to actually
increase their intake of fruits and
vegetables, and milk products. The
upper end of the recommended range
of daily servings from Canada's Food
Guide to Healthy Eating gives you
an idea of the quantities this diet
promotes. In addition, the diet also
requires that daily fat intake remain
moderate - not high.
In nutritional studies, participants
are permitted to eat only foods provided
by the study organizers. Different
groups of people are given different
types of diets to follow. In one such
study, the group that enjoyed a diet
that was rich in fruits, vegetables,
and low-fat dairy products, while
at the same time having a reduced
saturated and total fat intake (compared
to the average American diet), showed
the greatest decrease in blood pressure
compared to the other diet regimens.
This was the DASH diet.
What is the significance of this?
It offers a way for people to help
lower their blood pressure - simply
through the foods they choose to eat.
Keep in mind that changing your dietary
habits requires a strong commitment.
Talk to your doctor about the DASH
diet, and whether or not it is the
right choice for you. Never adjust
existing treatment for your high blood
pressure without the advice of your
doctor. And if you suspect you may
have high blood pressure, see your
doctor.
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