Researchers have demonstrated that a programme aimed at helping people modify lifestyle factors such as diet and exercise is as effective as medication at reducing blood pressure.
Lead researcher M Alfredo Mejia, Associate Professor at Andrews University, said:
By adapting selected healthy lifestyle changes, half of the people in our study achieved normal blood pressure within two weeks while avoiding the side effects and costs associated with blood pressure medications.
The researchers found that the reduction in blood pressure accomplished by the programme was equivalent to what can be achieved using three half-dose standard medications for blood pressure.
The study suggested that the participants saw their blood pressure drop 19 points, on average, after taking part in the lifestyle programme for just 14 days.
The participants made the following changes:
- Followed a vegan diet
- Walked outside daily
- Drank substantial quantities of water
- Got adequate daily sleep
- Participated in optional spiritual activities
The programme’s vegan diet consisted of foods, such as legumes, whole grains, vegetables, fruits, nuts, seeds, olives, avocados, soy milk, almond milk and whole-grain breads.
In addition, 93 percent of the participants were able to either reduce the dose (24 percent) or eliminate their blood pressure medications (69 percent).
For the study, the researchers evaluated data from 117 people with high blood pressure who had participated in the lifestyle programme.
At the end of the programme, half of the participants achieved a systolic blood pressure below the recommended 120 mmHg, the researcher said.
The programme was effective at lowering blood pressure in varying types of individuals, including otherwise healthy men and women and people with diabetes or who were obese and those with high cholesterol levels, they noted.
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