Weight reduction with a high protein, low carbohydrate, calorie-restricted diet: effects on blood pressure, glucose and insulin levels.

Abstract

A clear relationship exists between obesity and hypertension. In this study, blood pressure was examined in 215 obese patients. Significant positive correlations were demonstrated between the mean arterial pressure (MAP) and age, body weight, body mass index (BMI), fasting and 2 h postprandial glucose and postprandial insulin concentrations. Using a stepwise multiple regression analysis, it was clear that body weight, age and glycaemic parameters were the most important determinants of arterial blood pressure. During a period of 6 months, 113 patients were treated with a high protein, low carbohydrate, calorie-restricted diet. This resulted in a mean weight loss of 17 +/- 7.9 kg and a considerable drop in MAP, and in fasting and postprandial glucose and insulin concentrations. None of the patients who were hypertensive before treatment (n = 17) remained so afterwards. We can conclude that: (1) changes in blood pressure are always accompanied by changes in the same direction of one or more of the parameters of glucose homeostasis, which suggests a common link; (2) The dietary approach to obesity therapy successfully lowers blood pressure and helps to rectify the abnormalities in glucose metabolism.