The Mineral Sodium

Since many people with diabetes have high blood pressure, it is important to know more than the mineral sodium. A recent study clearly shows that specific food choices can lower blood pressure. The diet that produced the greatest reduction in blood pressure is called the DASH diet. DASH stands for the name of the study - Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension.

Hypertension is often defined as a blood pressure greater than or equal to 140/90 mmHg. The blood pressure goal for adults who have diabetes, however, is lower - less than 130/80 mmHg.

The DASH diet was compared to a typical American diet and was found to decrease blood pressure both in people who already had high blood pressure and in those who did not currently have it. Therefore, the DASH diet can help prevent high blood pressure and is worth adopting even if you have normal blood pressure now.

The DASH diet is rich in fruits, vegetables, and low-fat dairy foods and reduces total and saturated fat. It also is low in red meat, sweets, and sugar-containing drinks. The food choices are high in potassium, calcium, magnesium, fiber, and protein. This food plan matches the nutritional recommendations of a diabetes food plan.

The sodium intake for the first study of the DASH diet was 3 grams a day (or 3000 milligrams). According to the American Dietetic Association, this compares to the average sodium intake of 4-6 grams per day (or 4000 - 6000 milligrams).

The research did a follow-up study to determine if lowering the sodium intake could reduce blood pressure better. It did. Reducing the sodium intake made the DASH diet even more effective at reducing blood pressure.

Sodium is found in salt, so cutting back on sodium means cutting back on salty foods. Foods will taste different, but most people who follow a low-sodium food plan adapt quite well to less salty foods in about two weeks.



AMERICAN DIETETIC ASSOCIATION GUIDE TO EATING RIGHT WHEN YOU HAVE DIABETES, MAGGIE POWERS