[Beneficial effects of a DASH [Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension] eating plan on features of the metabolic syndrome]

ABSTRACT

This study aims at determining the effects of the Dietary Approach to Stop Hypertension [DASH] eating plan on metabolic risks, in patients with metabolic syndrome. This was a randomized controlled outpatient trial conducted on 116 patients with metabolic syndrome. Three diets were prescribed for 6 months a control diet, a weight reducing diet emphasizing on healthy food choice, and the DASH diet with reduced in calories and increased in fruit, vegetables, low fat dairies, whole grain and reduced in saturated fat, total fat, cholesterol and restricted to 2400 mg Na. The main outcome measures were the components of the metabolic syndrome. Relative to the control diet, the DASH diet resulted in higher HDL [7 and 10 mg/dL], lower TG [-18 and -14 mg/dL], SBP [-12 and -11 mmHg], DBP [-6 and -7 mmHg], weight [-16,-14 Kg], FBS [-15 and -8 mg/dL], and weight [-16 and -15 kg], among men and women respectively. [all P<0.001]. The net reduction among men and women in TG [-17 and -18 mg/dL], SBP [-11 and -11 mmHg], DBP [-5 and -6 mmHg] and FBS [-4 and -6 mg/dL], weight [-16,-15 Kg] and increase in HDL [5 and 10 mg/dL] was higher in the DASH group [all p<0.05]. The weight reducing diet resulted in significant change in TG [-13 and -10 mg/dL], SBP [-6 and -6 mmHg], weight [-13 and -12 kg] among men and women, respectively [all p<0.05]. Conclusions: The DASH diet can likely reduce most of the metabolic risks both in men and women the related mechanisms need further study