HEALTH WATCH: Vegetarian diets reduce blood pressure new study

WASHINGTON, February 24, 2014 – Vegetarian diets reduce the risk of hypertension according to a new study published Tuesday in JAMA Internal Medicine.

The study was done by the president of the Physicians Committee, Dr. Neal Barnard and researcher Dr. Yoko Yokoyama.

The meta- analysis compares the blood pressure of more than 21,000 people from various countries and finds that those who follow a vegetarian diet have a systolic blood pressure of about 7 mm Hg lower and lower diastolic blood pressure 5 mmHg that participants eat an omnivorous diet.

"Instead of changing the definition of hypertension, as was recently done, write prescriptions for plant-based foods, " says Dr. Barnard. "Compared with medication, diet change only creates desirable effects, including weight loss and lower blood pressure. "

The meta- analysis also indicates that :

• Obesity , sodium, and alcohol raise blood pressure and the risk of hypertension

• Potassium and exercise correspond to lower blood pressure

• Unsaturated fat  protein , magnesium, and fiber may reduce the risk of hypertension

• Hypertensive Participants who combine antihypertensive drugs with a plant-based diet tend to reduce blood pressure by 5/2 mm Hg in just six weeks

The meta- analysis indicates that fruit , vegetables, whole grains, and legumes helps participants maintain blood pressure at a healthy level of less than 120 /80 mm Hg. For individuals who are between 40 and 70 years of age, an increase of 20 mm Hg in systolic blood pressure (starting at only level 120/80 mm Hg) doubles the risk of heart disease . Smoking has a similar effect. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention U.S. says more than 67 million Americans have high blood pressure, a factor that increases the risk of heart attack , stroke , and kidney disease .

KEY POINTS of the study in the research journal "JAMA Internal Medicine":

• A meta -analysis of 21,604 people from 32 observational studies and 311 persons from 7 clinical studies indicated a strong connection between vegetarian diets and low blood pressure

• In observational studies , vegetarian diets are associated with blood pressure levels that are typically 7 mm Hg to 5 mm Hg lower for systolic and diastolic blood pressure respectively

• Reducing blood pressure is independent of salt, overweight, and exercise

• A reduction of 5 mm Hg in systolic blood pressure results in a 7% lower risk of death, 9% lower risk of heart disease, and 14 % lower risk of stroke

• Participants who follow a vegetarian diet tend to eat more fiber and less fat and potassium. They usually have less viscosity of blood and a lower BMI than participants who did not eat a vegetarian diet.

Dr. Yoko Yokoyamais a researcher at The National Cerebral and Cardiovascular Center and a research fellow with The Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (now at the University of Kyoto). As the author of several published studies and textbooks, Dr. Yokoyama continues to influence advances in medicine.

r. Neal Barnardis the president of the Physicians Committee and a professor at The George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences. Founded in 1985, the Committee in a non-governmental organization with over 10,000 members and doctors that promotes preventive medicine, makes clinical research, and advocates for research ethics rules