Latest news with #DASHdiet
Daily Mail
24-05-2025
- Health
- Daily Mail
Eight minute scan could replace painful spinal taps to diagnose multiple sclerosis
When Morven Lean visited her GP for a contraceptive pill check-up aged 24 in 2015, days before she was due to go travelling in South America, the last thing she expected was a hospital stay. But a follow-up call from her family doctor left her plans in tatters. Urged to take a second blood pressure check, she was rushed to A&E and admitted with sky high numbers. Despite coming off the pill, her readings remained dangerously elevated, and she was diagnosed with essential hypertension – where no specific cause is identified. With no family history of the condition, it came as a shock for the now 34-year-old mother-of-two, pictured left. 'I was super young and super fit, winning half marathons regularly,' says Morven. 'Every doctor I saw said, "You're not our usual patient."' Charity worker Morven was prescribed the ACE inhibitor ramapril and advised to continue exercising, eating healthily and monitor her blood pressure. In 2021, while trying for a baby, she came off the tablets and opted for the DASH diet – a low-salt plan designed to lower blood pressure. It involves avoiding dairy, red meat and sugar. Her readings soon dropped and she came off ramapril for good. She was only prescribed the beta blocker labetalol during labour in 2023, after her blood pressure crept up again. 'My hypertension could have been missed,' she says. 'You can pick up a blood pressure monitor for as little as £20 and they really could save your life.'
Medscape
19-05-2025
- Health
- Medscape
DASH Diet Tied to Lower Risk for Colorectal Cancer
Adherence to the dietary approaches to stop hypertension (DASH) diet — which emphasizes fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, whole grains, nuts, and low-fat dairy — was associated with a 19% reduced risk for colorectal cancer (CRC), with stronger protective effects observed in men than in women. METHODOLOGY: Conflicting evidence exists on the link between adherence to the DASH diet and CRC risk, highlighting the need for a comprehensive analysis. Researchers performed a systematic review and meta-analysis of observational studies analyzing the association between adherence to the DASH diet and CRC risk. Effect sizes were reported as hazard ratios, odds ratios, or relative risks (RRs) in the included studies, with most studies analyzing outcomes in both men and women. The methodological quality of the studies was independently assessed using relevant parameters. TAKEAWAY: Researchers included 14 studies: Eight cohort studies, four case-control studies, one cross-sectional study, and one comparative analysis; all studies had a low to moderate risk for bias and moderate to high quality. DASH adherence was associated with a significantly reduced risk for CRC (RR, 0.81), as analyzed in 13 effect sizes from nine articles. Risk reduction was greater in men (RR, 0.77) than in women (RR, 0.84). DASH adherence was associated with a 25% reduced risk for rectal cancer and a 17% reduced risk for colon cancer, according to an analysis of six and five effect sizes, respectively. Analysis of four effect sizes showed a substantially reduced risk for colorectal adenoma following adherence to the DASH diet (RR, 0.42). IN PRACTICE: 'The DASH diet can be a valuable component of a personalized plan for many in high-risk groups, but it shouldn't be presented as a one-size-fits-all solution,' the authors wrote. 'Registered dietitians and healthcare professionals play a crucial role in creating tailored dietary plans that are both effective and achievable for each individual,' they added. SOURCE: Mohammad Mehdi Abbasi of Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences in Tehran, Paria Babaahmadi of Shiraz University of Medical Sciences in Shiraz, and Fateme Nozari of Tehran University of Medical Sciences in Tehran, all in Iran, led the study. It was published online in BMC Gastroenterology . LIMITATIONS: Included studies used different methods to assess DASH adherence, and its application varied across cultures and populations. Differences in various cooking styles, such as grilling, which might induce carcinogenesis, were not addressed. Colon and rectal adenomas were not specifically addressed in the included studies. DISCLOSURES: This study received no financial support. The authors declared having no competing interests.
Health Line
10-05-2025
- Health
- Health Line
Nuts, Seeds and Healthy Diet May Help Lower Risk of Diverticulitis
New research has found that nuts and seeds do not increase the risk of diverticulitis. The findings confirmed that four key dietary patterns, including the DASH diet, help reduce the risk of diverticulitis onset. The findings were consistent with a similar study previously conducted in males, refuting current recommendations about foods to avoid to prevent diverticulitis. Diverticulitis develops when small pockets in the large intestine become inflamed. It causes uncomfortable digestive symptoms and often requires dietary modifications and restrictions. Now, new research has confirmed that nuts and seeds, previously thought to trigger diverticulitis symptoms, could be back on the menu for people at risk for the gastrointestinal condition. The study examined the effects of females with diverticulitis who followed four dietary patterns known to promote overall health: Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) diet Healthy Eating Index (HEI) Alternative Healthy Eating Index (aHEI) Alternative Mediterranean diet The participants consumed nuts and seeds, and the researchers also calculated how well they adhered to those four dietary patterns. The results, published on May 6 in Annals of Internal Medicine, showed that females who followed these eating patterns had a reduced risk of diverticulitis. The researchers concluded that nuts and seeds were not associated with an increased risk of the condition. The findings are consistent with a 2008 study that found the same outcomes for males, which could lead to a shift in dietary recommendations for people at risk for the condition. 'We included fresh fruit with edible seeds (raw tomatoes and strawberries) in our analyses because patients still commonly report avoiding these nutritious foods,' the study authors wrote. 'Our findings refute the widely held belief that dietary intake of particulate matter should be avoided to prevent diverticulitis.' Nuts, seeds not associated with diverticulitis risk The new research included 29,916 questionnaires received from females with no previous history of diverticulitis, inflammatory bowel disease, or cancer. The participants were enrolled in the Sister Study, a long-running project to learn more about those who are siblings of someone with breast cancer. Of those females, 1,531 cases of diverticulitis were identified. Beyond finding that nuts and seeds do not increase the risk of diverticulitis, the researchers also found that the healthy dietary patterns were not associated with any risk of underlying diverticulitis. Shabnam Sarker, MD, an assistant professor of medicine in the department of gastroenterology, hepatology, and nutrition at Vanderbilt University Medical Center, said that the findings support patients and clinicians in finding the best ways to reduce the risk of symptoms. Sarker wasn't involved in the new study. 'I think this study kind of confirmed what we've been doing in our practice, or at least I've been doing in my practice for a long time,' Sarker said. 'So, I think earlier in our training, or years ago, we used to think that seeds were at risk of being trapped within diverticula… and we thought maybe that was a trigger on why some people had recurrent disease. And then through [further research] we've realized that a high fiber diet is really the best for overall colon health,' she noted. How is diverticulitis treated? Diverticulitis is a complication of diverticulosis, where diverticula, commonly known as pouches, develop within the colon. When these pouches become inflamed, pain, bloating, and the potential for more serious complications like abscesses, obstructions, and perforations may occur. Diverticulosis is common, particularly among older adults. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) estimates that around 30% of U.S. adults ages 50–59 develop diverticulitis, and more than 70% of adults 80 and older are diagnosed with the disorder. Sometimes called 'uncomplicated diverticulitis,' diverticulosis requires minimal intervention, such as antibiotics and monitoring. Diverticulitis, however, is much less common, affecting around 5% of people with diverticulosis. Complicated diverticulitis often leads to more intense treatment options, like surgery. Those involved in the study were found to have 1,531 cases of diverticulitis, less than a third of which required hospitalization. Of those 1,531 cases, 14% required surgery and 58% had two or more recurrences. Surgery is most often required when the condition creates perforations or abscesses that require intervention, much more common for those who have had diverticulitis multiple times. Shawn Khodadadian, MD, medical director of Manhattan Gastroenterology, told Healthline there are multiple avenues to treatment for those having to manage diverticulitis symptoms. Khodadadian wasn't involved in the new study. 'Generally, outpatients can be managed with pain control and oral analgesics as well as a liquid diet in the outpatient setting for uncomplicated diverticular disease,' he said. 'Oftentimes, especially in higher-risk patients, antibiotics are prescribed when indicated. Antibiotics are not always needed to manage uncomplicated outpatient diverticulitis in otherwise healthy, stable patients, but this should be left up to your doctor after a complete evaluation,' he continued. James Cox, MD, a gastroenterologist and assistant professor at Texas Christian University, added that it's important for people with diverticulitis to understand the limits of preventive medicine regarding the condition. Cox wasn't involved in the new study. 'There's nothing patients can do to prevent the development of the diverticuli or diverticulosis,' he told Healthline. Diverticulitis may become severe One of the common surgeries to treat complicated diverticulitis is a colectomy, which involves removing a segment of the intestine and sewing it back together. In more serious cases, a temporary colostomy bag may be required to give the area time to heal before reattachment can occur. Cox noted the most serious complications are often perforations. 'If there's a perforation, then you have colonic content in the abdominal cavity, and that's bad. That's very hard to sew right back up. Patients will often need a temporary colostomy bag for a few months, let everything calm down, and then they get hooked up.' Sarker added that, for her patients, it can be helpful to explore options with a colorectal surgeon earlier rather than later. 'If they're interested, or would like to even speak to somebody as a consultation [like] a colorectal surgeon, I usually will set them up as a consultation. Even if they're not sure, just to have met someone and talk about the option for this, so that they feel like they're empowered, especially in a condition that seems very difficult to control,' she suggested. Underlying causes of diverticulitis not understood Sarker said that part of the patient-clinician relationship is building a space where conversations can flow about conditions like diverticulosis, the reason for which is largely unknown. Future research can investigate the different risk factors for a condition in which the underlying cause is not entirely understood. The questionnaire-based nature of the new study highlights the challenges of nutrition research. A double-blind study with a placebo, considered the gold standard in research studies, is very difficult to conduct with food. Cox is hopeful that further research into the gut and nutrition can help shed light on why diverticulosis happens. Khodadadian believes that more research can and should be done into the particulars of how diets can improve patients' outcomes. Sarker said she'd like to see more research that prioritizes women and the role nutrition has on the gut.
