J Korean Med Assoc.  2022 Jun;65(6):368-376. 10.5124/jkma.2022.65.6.368.

Effect of low sodium and high potassium diet on lowering blood pressure

• Lee CH
• Shin J

• KMID: 2531607
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.5124/jkma.2022.65.6.368

Abstract

Background
Hypertension is the leading factor of cardiovascular mortality and morbidity. Although antihypertensive medical treatment is the cornerstone of blood pressure control, lifestyle modification, including optimal diet therapy, such as dietary approaches to stop hypertension (DASH), cannot be overemphasized.
Current Concepts
Due to the mismatch between sodium intake and excretion process being the key mechanisms according to physiologic principles, low sodium and high potassium intakes are the critical components of DASH. If the patient has a sensitive elevation of blood pressure following increased sodium intake, a low sodium diet could be essential for optimal blood pressure control. Salt sensitivity is increased by the activated reninangiotensin system, sympathetic nervous activity, sodium channels disorder, and endothelial dysfunction and frequently observed in the elderly and patients with obesity and chronic kidney disease. Increased potassium intake could attenuate sodium absorption by affecting the intracellular chloride and WNK4 activity, especially in patients with salt sensitivity or high salt intake.
Discussion and Conclusion
For low sodium and high potassium intakes, the Na/K diet ratio could be a good target for intervention, and this approach is a critical component of DASH.

Keyword

Dietary sodium; Dietary potassium; Blood pressure; Hypertension; 식이나트륨; 식이칼륨; 혈압; 고혈압