Vegetarian diet can ward off high blood pressure, researchers say

• A new scientific review shows that high blood pressure can be reduced with diet changes, especially a vegetarian diet.
• The new report analyzes the results of published studies and concludes that vegetarian populations have lower rates of hypertension, "the silent killer."
• This report, authored by nutritionist Susan E. Berkow, Ph.D., C.N.S., and Neal D. Barnard, M.D., is the lead article in the January issue of the peer-reviewed journal Nutrition Reviews.
• Included in the analysis are studies published in top journals such as The Lancet and The Journal of the American Medical Association.
• Vegetarians tend to be slimmer, on average, and that is one reason their blood pressure is often in the healthy range.
• "Many people fear the side effects of blood pressure-lowering drugs, along with the expense.
• Our analysis of 80 scientific studies suggests that a vegetarian diet may be a simple, drug-free treatment for the 'silent killer,'" says Dr. Berkow, lead author of the study.
• "My advice to people at risk for hypertension is to substitute a veggie burger for a hamburger tonight and have pasta marinara without the meatballs tomorrow.
• Because high blood pressure is dangerous, the researchers caution that individuals should see their doctors and assess whether diet alone is sufficient, or whether drugs are also needed.
• Randomized clinical trials have shown that BP [blood pressure] is lowered when animal products are replaced with vegetable products in both normotensives and hypertensives (5,7,26).
• The beneficial expected consequences of a reduction in BP include a reduction in major coronary events (29).
• For a copy of the new paper published in Nutrition Reviews or an interview with one of the authors, please contact Jeanne S. McVey at 202-686-2210, ext. 316, or 415-509-1833.
• Founded in 1985, the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine is a nonprofit health organization that promotes preventive medicine, especially good nutrition.