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Low-Sodium DASH reduces oxidative stress and improves vascular function in salt-sensitive humans
Y Al-Solaiman1, A Jesri, Y Zhao
1Department of Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC 29425, USA.
Journal of Human Hypertension
|May 1, 2009
Summary
Low-sodium DASH (LS-DASH) diet reduces oxidative stress and improves vascular function in salt-sensitive individuals. This dietary approach lowers blood pressure more effectively than the standard DASH diet in salt-sensitive subjects.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Health
- Nutritional Science
- Oxidative Stress Research
Background:
- Salt intake is a known inducer of oxidative stress in salt-sensitive (SS) individuals.
- The comparative effects of the standard DASH (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension) diet and a low-sodium DASH (LS-DASH) diet on oxidative stress in SS subjects are not well understood.
- DASH diets are recognized for their antioxidant content.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the impact of DASH and LS-DASH diets on oxidative stress markers and vascular function in salt-sensitive (SS) and salt-resistant (SR) volunteers.
- To determine if LS-DASH offers greater benefits than DASH in reducing oxidative stress in SS individuals.
Main Methods:
- A study involving 19 volunteers who followed three diets sequentially: usual low fruits and vegetables (ULFV), DASH (approx. 120 mmol Na+), and LS-DASH (60 mmol Na+).
- Each diet was followed for 3 weeks.
- Measurements included systolic blood pressure, urine F2-isoprostanes (oxidative stress marker), and aortic augmentation index (vascular stiffness).
- SS subjects were defined by a systolic blood pressure drop of ≥5 mm Hg on LS-DASH compared to DASH.
Main Results:
- In SS subjects (N=9), LS-DASH significantly lowered systolic blood pressure compared to DASH and ULFV.
- Urine F2-isoprostanes were lower in SS subjects on LS-DASH compared to ULFV and marginally lower than DASH.
- Aortic augmentation index was lower in SS subjects on LS-DASH compared to both DASH and ULFV.
- No significant differences in oxidative stress markers were observed among diets in salt-resistant (SR) volunteers (N=10).
Conclusions:
- The LS-DASH diet is associated with reduced oxidative stress and improved vascular function in salt-sensitive individuals.
- LS-DASH effectively lowers blood pressure in SS subjects, outperforming the standard DASH diet.
- These findings suggest that dietary sodium restriction, as implemented in LS-DASH, is beneficial for cardiovascular health in salt-sensitive populations.
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