OMNI stands for Optimal Macronutrient Intake Trial. This approach, which uses a high-protein, balanced diet to manage high blood pressure, is a modification of the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) program. DASH has long been an optimal way to reduce high blood pressure outside of drug treatments. According to an article for Brigham and Women's Hospital Clinical & Research News, OMNI takes the best of the DASH diet and incorporates more protein.
History
In the mid 1990s, Brigham and Women's Hospital co-opted with Johns Hopkins to create a food-based approach to manage high blood pressure. The program, Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH), focuses on reducing sodium to lower blood pressure. DASH organizers studied the findings of two clinical trials to determine the best foods for the plan. The studies indicate that a diet that reduces saturated fat and cholesterol significantly lowers blood pressure.
Advancements
OMNI, or OMNIHeart, is the newest version of the DASH diet plan. The old DASH diet focuses more on carbohydrates. According to Clinical & Research News, the OMNI diet reduces the carbs and increases plant-based proteins. The National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute (NHLBI) supports OMNI as a better approach to preventing and managing high blood pressure.
Significance
The OMNI diet recommends foods rich in nutrients that lower blood pressure. The plan focuses on sources with high amounts of potassium, calcium and magnesium. This includes many fresh fruits and vegetables, protein and fiber. The NHLBI reports that studies of this plan show dramatic results. Participants in the initial trials were able to reduce their blood pressure without medication. Many saw improvement after just two weeks on the diet.
Diet
The OMNI diet provides for a number of serving of nutrient-rich foods each day. NHLBI states this plan includes six to eight servings of grains, four to five servings of vegetables, four to five servings of fruits, two to three servings of fats and oils plus two to three servings of fat-free dairy. The OMNI plan differs from the original DASH program by incorporating more protein in the form of nuts, seeds and legumes. OMNI recommends six or fewer servings of meats and adds four to five servings each week of plant-based proteins, such as nuts. Weekly, you are allowed an allotment of five servings of sweets or fewer.
Considerations
The purpose of both DASH and OMNI is to steer patients away from drug treatments for hypertension. Janis Swain, R.D., M.S., one of the developers of the diet, states that their hope was not to provide a temporary stop-gap or diet, but to create a food pattern that will encourage patients to change their entire lifestyle. If you are currently being treated for high blood pressure, talk to your doctor about diet and exercise. Ask about the OMNI approach to possibly reduce the amount of medication you take to manage your hypertension.
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