What is the DASH diet and what does DASH stand for?
The DASH diet is recommended to many people with hypertension (high blood pressure) or prehypertension by their physicians. The DASH diet eating plan has been proven to lower blood pressure in studies sponsored by the National Institutes of Health (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension). The DASH diet provides more than the traditional low salt or low sodium diet to reduce blood pressure. It is based on an eating plan rich in fruits and vegetables, and low-fat or non-fat dairy. The full DASH diet plan is shown below. New research continues to show additional health benefits of the plan. In addition to being recommended by your physician, DASH is also recommended by: * The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (one of the National Institutes of Health, of the US Department of Health and Human Services) * The American Heart Association * The 2005 Dietary Guidelines for Americans * US guidelines for treatment of high blood pressure * and, the DASH diet formed the basis for the new U
She and her coauthors, therefore, hypothesized that the DASH diet (short for Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension) would also reduce a woman’s risk of heart failure through its blood pressure lowering effects as well as its secondary effects on cholesterol and other heart-disease risk factors. The DASH diet, which has been shown to lower blood pressure in randomized clinical studies, is plentiful in fruits, vegetables, low-fat dairy products and whole grains. “These foods are high in potassium, magnesium, calcium and fiber, moderately high in protein, and low in saturated fat and total fat,” explains Levitan. Sources: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/05/090511164559.
