A controlled trial of a high fibre, low fat and low sodium diet for mild hypertension in type 2 (non-insulin-dependent) diabetic patients

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Abstract
Fifty hypertensive Type 2 (non-insulin-dependent) diabetic patients were allocated, in a controlled trial, to a treatment diet of high fibre, low fat and low sodium composition, or to a control diet by the hospital dietitian. After 3 months treatment, the modified diet-treated group showed a highly significant reduction in mean systolic (180.5±19.0 to 165.0±20.7 mmHg) and diastolic blood pressure (96.6±9.3 to 88.0±10.5 mmHg), accompanied by significant reductions in urinary sodium excretion (183.0±62.1 to 121.7+ 65.8 mmol/day) glycosylated haemoglobin (12.4±3.1 to 10.5±2.9%), weight (74.6s±13.5 to 71.7±12.1 kg) and serum triglyceride levels (ppp< 0.001), urinary potassium (p<0.01) was significantly reduced at 3 months compared to control. No changes in serum HDL-cholesterol levels were observed. The number of patients with normal blood pressure at 3 months was greater in the modified diet-treated group (ten versus five). Treatment of mild hypertension in diabetic subjects with this form of dietary regimen has a hypotensive response, with improvement in glycaemic control and no side effects. This modified diet may be an attractive alternative to anti-hypertensive drug therapy as a first line treatment.