Nutritional Prevention of Hypertension

Author: Ma Wenjun
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2005-05-01
Features: Life depends on nutrition. Since the existence of organisms, the presence and continuation of life have been inseparable from dietary nutrition. Ancients long recognized this truth, pointing out that "when people eat well, they thrive; when they starve, they face danger," demonstrating its great value. Hence, there is the saying "food is the sky for the people." Modern science has further recognized that the abundance or deficiency of nutrients is a major cause of various diseases. Insufficient or lack of nutrition can lead to conditions such as anemia, rickets, dementia, goiter, blindness, osteoporosis, and congenital deformities; conversely, excessive nutrition can give rise to so-called "precious diseases," such as obesity, atherosclerosis, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, coronary heart disease, and diabetes. Mild cases affect health and reduce quality of life, while severe cases can endanger life. With the development of China's national economy and the gradual improvement of people's living standards, the aforementioned nutritional imbalance phenomenon has become increasingly prominent, leading to greater attention being paid to nutrition and health. In this regard, the Chinese Nutrition Society formulated the "Dietary Guidelines for Chinese Residents" in 1997, tailored to the actual conditions of China. Based on scientific research, it addresses the nutritional needs and main deficiencies in the diets of Chinese residents, offering universal guidance. The significance of this series lies in further popularizing scientific knowledge of nutrition and health, enabling the general public to correctly master balanced diets to achieve stronger bodies, longer lifespans, and improved and enhanced national quality. The content of the series is divided into two parts: one is how nutrition prevents and treats various common diseases, and the other is the relationship between dietary nutrition and different life stages. The contributors to the series are all professionals who have long been engaged in nutritional work in clinical, teaching, and research settings. In their daily work, they have profound insights and rich experience in correctly handling the relationship between nutrition and health. Therefore, the writing is thorough yet accessible, practical, easy to understand, and convenient to implement. It is hoped that readers can gain extensive nutritional knowledge from this series and apply it in their daily lives, contributing to disease prevention, health maintenance, and enhanced physical fitness, thereby helping to achieve a well-off society sooner.
Moderate nutrition, avoid overeating; maintain a healthy weight, don’t exceed the limit; regular exercise is essential, avoid overexertion; quit smoking, limit alcohol, follow advice; adopt healthy habits, learn well; prevention is key, seek medical care early. —Advisory Board Member Wang Minqing
Conduct high-intensity educational campaigns to enable healthcare workers and all populations to master the requirements of healthy eating, achieving the goal of health and longevity. —Advisory Board Member Chen Xiaoshu
By following the principles of the "Dietary Guidelines" and making reasonable dietary adjustments, even ordinary foods can achieve the goals of disease prevention, health maintenance, and longevity. —Editor-in-Chief of the Editorial Committee Gu Jingfan
Prevention is better than cure; strengthening the publicity and education of reasonable nutrition and balanced diets is the primary task. —Advisory Board Member Zhou Wenjin
Hypertension is a common and prevalent disease, often accompanied by numerous complications. With the improvement of material living standards and the continuous changes in lifestyle, the incidence of hypertension has risen rapidly. Currently, there are over 100 million hypertensive patients in China, with approximately 3.5 million new cases added each year. Hypertension and its cardiovascular complications are currently the most serious diseasesing the health of the Chinese people. Given the stark contrast between the current prevalence and future trends of hypertension in China, it is crucial to prioritize prevention and adopt a comprehensive approach to treatment.
Extensive medical research has shown that the occurrence and development of hypertension are closely related to diet, as well as genetic factors, obesity, smoking, alcohol consumption, lack of exercise, and long-term mental stress. Developed countries have launched large-scale prevention and treatment campaigns targeting these factors, yielding positive results that are worth learning from. This book introduces the basic knowledge of hypertension and its complications, dietary treatment methods, dietary taboos, food selection, preventive health care, and dietary remedies for hypertension. Sincerely, we hope this book can serve as a cornerstone for hypertension education, spreading care and fostering health, so that all hypertensive patients can enjoy a fulfilling life.