Regaining our balance
On February 18, 2008 we reported that less than 20% of US adults with high blood pressure eat foods in line with the government guidelines for controlling hypertension (the DASH diet). Now, the of major dietary trends in US food consumption from 1972 - 2005 carried out by the Economic Research Service of the US Department of Agriculture indicates that this poor dietary pattern is reflected throughout the whole of the population.
The Dash diet, which was specifically designed as a dietary approach to reduce hypertension is, in essence, a well balanced diet. It is high in fruits and vegetables as well as low-fat dairy products and whole grains. The amounts of high fat foods (particularly those with saturated fats) and refined carbohydrates are limited.
This type of diet has long been consumed in the Mediterranean and to a lesser extent the Asian regions, with clearly positive health outcomes. Unfortunately, the latest USDA study indicates that the majority of Americans consume too few fruits, vegetables, low-fat dairy and whole grain products.
A large part of our dietary pattern is influenced by the messages we receive from those institutions we perceive to be authoritative. However, organizations such as the American Heart Association (AHA), the American Medical Association (AMA) and the National Heart Lung and Blood Institute (NHLBI) in their approach to the reduction or prevention of hypertension have all chosen to focus their attention on salt reduction far more than the promotion of a good, balanced diet. Even the most well-known food advocacy groups prefer to lay blame on one nutrient or food group rather than to promote the benefits of a balanced diet.
Until we come to a general understanding that it is far more beneficial to promote the benefits of a whole, well-balanced diet, rather than to isolate and malign single nutrients or foods out of context, results such as those from the USDA/ERS report should not come as a great surprise.
