11.29.12
Adding flaxseed to the diets of patients with peripheral arterial disease (PAD) resulted in large drops in blood pressure (BP) of 10 mm Hg systolic (SBP) and 7 mm Hg diastolic (DBP) after six months, according to the results of a double-blind, placebo-controlled study. The significant findings were presented at the November American Heart Association 2012 Scientific Sessions held in Los Angeles, CA.
“This is the largest decrease in blood pressure ever shown by any dietary intervention – including the Mediterranean Diet and low-sodium diets,” says Dr. Grant Pierce, leader of the study and executive director of Research at St. Boniface Hospital. “We expect that this kind of improvement in people with hypertension could reduce their incidence of heart attack and stroke by 50%.”
Subgroup analyses of only the PAD patients with hypertension showed a greater reduction in SBP, of about 15 mm Hg, in these patients than in the study population as a whole and a similar reduction in DBP, he noted.For further information: www.flaxcouncil.ca
“This is the largest decrease in blood pressure ever shown by any dietary intervention – including the Mediterranean Diet and low-sodium diets,” says Dr. Grant Pierce, leader of the study and executive director of Research at St. Boniface Hospital. “We expect that this kind of improvement in people with hypertension could reduce their incidence of heart attack and stroke by 50%.”
Subgroup analyses of only the PAD patients with hypertension showed a greater reduction in SBP, of about 15 mm Hg, in these patients than in the study population as a whole and a similar reduction in DBP, he noted.For further information: www.flaxcouncil.ca