Blood pressure responses of mild hypertensive Caucasian males to a metabolic diet with moderate sodium and two levels of dietary calcium

This study compared blood pressure (BP) responses of hypertensive males to two moderate (3300mg/d) sodium (Na) metabolic diets differing in calcium (Ca). Ten mild hypertensive Caucasian males were fed a 6-week high Ca diet (1400mg/d Ca) and 5 hypertensive males were fed a low Ca diet (400mg/d Ca). BP was measured twice/week and serum and urine were analysed for Ca, Na, magnesium (Mg), potassium (K), parathyroid hormone (PTH), 1,25(OH)(2) vitamin D, red cell Mg, and plasma renin activity(PRA). Systolic and diastolic BP decreased (9% and 8%, respectively) in the high Ca group (p<0.04). In the high Ca group, 8 of 10 had systolic BP <140 mmHg and 4 of 10 had diastolic BP <90 mmHg by the study's end. The high Ca group showed a nonsignificant (NS) 13-22% increase in urinary Na and a NS 11-16% increase in urinary Ca. This high Ca, moderate Na diet significantly decreased BP in mild hypertensive males vs. a low Ca, moderate Na diet. Copyright (C) 1997 Elsevier Science Inc.