A full one-third of American adults have high blood pressure, notes the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, but African-Americans bear an enormous share of the burden of this health problem. Not only are they especially salt-sensitive, but various biological and social factors contribute to them having hypertension at higher rates than their counterparts. In addition, they suffer more from hypertension-related kidney disease and die in greater numbers as a result of hypertension and linked cardiovascular health challenges. For some, medication is at the front line of treating hypertension, but dietary approaches are also an important part of defending against the condition. Magnesium and calcium have gained attention as promising dietary measures African-Americans and others could take to manage their blood pressure.
African-Americans and Hypertension
African-Americans are particularly salt-sensitive. That means their blood pressure fluctuates to a greater degree than normal every time they consume salt-containing food. Recognizing blacks' proneness to hypertension, kidney problems and diabetes, public health authorities, including the Dietary Guidelines for Americans 2010, have recommended lower salt intake. Although most Americans need to reduce their salt intake below the suggested 2,300 mg daily, African-Americans should consume no more than 1,500 mg daily. According to a consensus statement by the International Society on Hypertension in Blacks in the "Archives of Internal Medicine" in March 2003, there are a number of reasons for the extra hypertension burden among African-Americans, including biological factors and social factors -- especially food habits that promote excess salt and sugar consumption. In addition, in general, hypertension in blacks isn't caught early enough to treat it and manage it consistently over time.
Dietary Approaches to Hypertension
The goal of treating hypertension is to bring down and maintain a blood pressure level that will prevent or lower your risk of kidney- and heart-related diseases and death. Hypertension is a major risk factor for heart attack, stroke and kidney failure. The DASH diet, or Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension, is a model dietary approach to treating high blood pressure and is supported by the National Institutes of Health. It's a low-fat eating regimen that emphasizes consuming low-fat dairy and more fruit and vegetables -- which supplies more magnesium and calcium. Research published in "Topics in Clinical Nutrition" in January 2011 reported that intake of these nutrients is below recommendations among African-Americans and that deficiency may be another reason for their higher rates of hypertension.
Following the DASH diet has been twice as effective in lowering blood pressure among African-Americans than in other racial and ethnic groups, the National Dairy Council reports. Although it wants more aggressive treatment of hypertension in African-Americans, the International Society on Hypertension in Blacks also endorses the DASH diet and encourages physicians to promote it to their African-American patients, in part because of the needed extra emphasis on obtaining more calcium and magnesium in the typical African-American diet.
Magnesium and Hypertension
Magnesium plays an important role in regulating blood pressure. You can get more magnesium by increasing the amount of fruits and vegetables in your diet. The Office of Dietary Supplements says greater amounts of magnesium in diet is consistently linked with people with lower blood pressure. Although magnesium independently produces this result, it's also helped by the fact that many magnesium-containing foods also contain good amounts of fiber, which also reduces blood pressure.
Calcium and Hypertension
People with low calcium intake have a higher risk of hypertension than those who get enough, notes Colorado State University. In its treatment guidelines for African-Americans, the International Society on Hypertension in Blacks lists getting "adequate calcium" as a treatment goal. The ODS says calcium supplementation works better for people who are already hypertensive. In addition, the Linus Pauling Institute says calcium is effective in lowering the incidence of pregnancy-induced hypertension or preeclampsia. Current calcium intake recommendations are between 1,000 and 1,300 mg for most adults.
References
- "Archives of Internal Medicine"; Management of High Blood Pressure in African Americans: Consensus Statement of the Hypertension in African Americans Working Group of the International Society on Hypertension in Blacks; March 2003
- Colorado State University Extension; Diet and Hypertension; J. Anderson, et al.; November 1998
- "Topics in Clinical Nutrition"; Differences in Dietary Intake Habits of African American Adults by Hypertension Status; Kathryn S. Bernard et al.; January/March 2011
- "Progress in Cardiovascular Nursing"; Salt Sensitivity and Hypertension in African Americans: Implications for Cardiovascular Nurses; Rosalind M. Peters, et al.; Fall 2000
- University of Maryland Medical Center: African-Americans and Hypertension: A Q&A with UM Cardiologist Elijah Saunders
- National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute; Your Guide to Lowering Your Blood Pressure With DASH; April 2006
