Assignment Task:
Respond to two classmates and offer your thoughts and strategies to overcome the identified barriers.
1st Classmate Post:
Reply from Oxana Calderon
Introduction
Hypertension plays a key role in the development of cardiovascular diseases. The World Health Organization (WHO) reports that 1.13 billion people globally have been diagnosed with hypertension (WHO, 2016). The correlation between increased sodium intake and hypertension has been the subject of many studies. Results of some research indicated that diet that does not limit sodium intake has been correlated with increased blood pressure (Gradual et. al., 2017). However, the amount of salt in diet can be adjusted which makes it modifiable risk factor for developing abnormally high blood pressure. The WHO guidelines specify that 2000 mg of sodium is an adequate amount that should be consumed daily (WHO, 2023).
Conclusion:
In conclusion, evaluation of the two Randomized Controlled Studies showed positive effect in lowering systolic and diastolic blood pressure of individuals with hypertension. Adhering to the low-sodium diet, especially when it is combined with DASH diet can lead to significant decrease in the high blood pressure. However, despite these positive effects, there are still some limitations and challenges that need to be considered when choosing methods of long-term management of the disease.
Barriers:
The main barrier that I encountered was related to the fact that many of the studies, particularly those in randomized controlled trials, have specific populations that are not representative of the population that I use for my assignment (for example, age or pre-existing health conditions).
References:
Graudal, N. A., Hubeck-Graudal, T., & Jurgens, G. (2017). Effects of low sodium diet versus high sodium diet on blood pressure, renin, aldosterone, catecholamines, cholesterol, and triglyceride. The Cochrane database of systematic reviews, 4(4), CD004022.
The World Health Organization (March16, 2023). Hypertension. The World Health Organization (September 14, 2023). Sodium Reduction.
2nd Classmate Post:
Reply from Anne Morales
Introduction
The evolution of the American food system has changed in a way that has profoundly affected the health of Americans. With a diet high in saturated fats, risk factors for cardiovascular disease, including hypercholesterolemia, are prevalent. The Mediterranean diet (MD), with its profound and beneficial association with cardiovascular health, has piqued the interest of the healthcare community. As the number of Americans developing risk factors for cardiovascular disease (CVD) continues to rise, the potential of adopting new dietary guidance, particularly the MD, for Americans at risk for CVD is an intriguing option. Therefore, introducing a culturally accepted diet, such as the Mediterranean diet (MD), could be a significant step in mitigating America's health crisis. This is a challenge, but it is not insurmountable. When considering Americans' dietary patterns and habits, we must understand that introducing a new way of eating will take work. It is crucial to stress the need for adaptable dietary guidance, as it reassures us of the feasibility and success of the MD.
Furthermore, the introduction of the MD necessitates a comprehensive and multi-faceted approach, involving local, state, and government bodies. These entities need to emphasize and support the diet's health benefits and promote it as part of a holistic lifestyle. However, the success of the MD is not solely dependent on these bodies. It must be adaptable to local tastes and practices, and this adaptability, coupled with robust community engagement, is not just important but also a critical component of its success in improving public health.
Conclusion:
Overall, the clinical implications of implementing dietary guidance for patients at risk of CVD are significant. The promising effects of the Mediterranean diet on HDL, as demonstrated in the PREDIMED study, offer a beacon of hope and hold great potential for uncovering novel therapeutic targets that could enhance HDL function in humans. The CORDIOPREV study further bolsters this potential, unveiling the significant implications of the Mediterranean diet in reducing the IMT of common carotid arteries and lowering the risk of cardiovascular events. While the Colaus-PsyColaus study did not find a significant association between adherence to the Mediterranean diet and lipid markers, this underscores the need for further research. Investigating the effects of the Mediterranean diet on lipid markers, particularly on populations outside Switzerland and Mediterranean countries, is crucial to fill the gaps in our current knowledge. The urgency and significance of adopting a new dietary approach are underscored by the need for further research. This research is crucial to understand the full potential of the Mediterranean diet and its implications for cardiovascular health. It also highlights the importance of involvement by state, local, and government levels to fund further research and education, change food system policies, focus on reducing the percentage of ultra-processed foods, incentivize and promote farming and agriculture, and most importantly making healthier food items more affordable and accessible for the underprivileged populations.
Reference:
Alarming trends call for action to define the future role of food in nation's health. (n.d.). American Heart Association.