Nutrition Intervention
HTN: Dietary Calcium
➤ The RDN should encourage adults with HTN to consume adequate amounts
of dietary calcium to meet the DRI to aid in BP control. Research indicates
that dietary calcium intake of 800mg or more per day reduced SBP up to
4mm Hg and DBP up to 2mm Hg in adults with HTN. (Fair, Imperative)
HTN: Calcium Supplements
➤ If an adult with HTN is unable to meet the DRI for calcium with diet
and food alone, the RDN may consider recommending calcium
supplementation of 1,000mg to 1,500mg per day to aid in BP control.
A strong body of research indicates that calcium supplementation of
1,000mg to 1,500mg per day reduced SBP up to 3.0mm Hg and DBP up to
2.5mm Hg in adults with HTN. (Strong, Conditional)
HTN: Dietary Magnesium
➤ The RDN should encourage adults with HTN to consume adequate amounts
of dietary magnesium to meet the DRI. While important for health,
adequate dietary magnesium may or may not aid in BP control. Results
from two studies suggest that the relationship between magnesium intake
from food sources and BP in adults with HTN is unclear. (Weak, Imperative)
HTN: Magnesium Supplements
➤ If an adult with HTN is unable to meet the DRI for magnesium through
food and diet alone, the RDN may consider recommending magnesium
supplementation of up to 350mg per day to aid in BP control. Research
indicates that magnesium supplementation of 240mg up to 1,000mg
per day reduced SBP by 1.0mm Hg to 5.6mm Hg and DBP by 1.0mm Hg to
2.8mm Hg in adults with HTN. (Fair, Conditional)
HTN: Sodium
➤ The RDN should counsel on reducing sodium intake for BP reduction in
adults with HTN. Research indicates that lowering dietary sodium intake
to 1,500mg to 2,000mg per day reduced SBP and DBP up to 12mm Hg and
6mm Hg, respectively. (Strong, Imperative)
HTN: DASH Diet
➤ The RDN should counsel on a Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension
(DASH) dietary pattern plus reduced sodium intake for BP reduction in
adults with HTN. Research indicates that in adults with pre- hypertension
and HTN, the DASH dietary pattern, compared with the typical American
diet lowered SBP by 5mm Hg to 6mm Hg and DBP by 3mm Hg. Reducing
sodium intake in those consuming the typical American diet or DASH diet
also lowered BP. DASH in combination with a reduced sodium diet lowered
BP more than reduced sodium intake alone. The effect was greater in those
with HTN. (Strong, Imperative)
