Abstract

In order to evaluate the effect of habitual Na and Ca intake on blood pressure regulation, we measured the habitual dietary intakes of Na and Ca, urinary excretion of Ca, Na and K, and plasma level of renin activity, aldosterone, and indices of Ca metabolism in 27 untreated hypertensive women and 30 age-matched normal women on a free diet. Hypertensive and total subjects were divided into four groups according to habitual dietary intakes of Na and Ca as low Na-low Ca(LNLC), low Na-high Ca(LNHC), high Na-low Ca(HNLC), and high Na-high Ca(HNHC). HNLC hypertensive group showed the lowest level of plasma renin activity, 25-(OH) Vit D$_3$, calcitonin and serum total Ca, and presented the highest level of PTH and urinary excretions of Na/K and Ca/Cr. There were no significant difference in plasma level of aldosterone and urinary excretion of Na and K among four hypertensive groups. When all subjects were divided into four groups according to the same method, HNLC group showed the highest level of blood pressure with no statistical significance and the lowest level of calcitonin and total serum Ca. The above results indicated that renin-aldosterone system and Ca regulating hormone has a mutual relationship in hypertension. Na and Ca may interact each other, rather than affecting independently blood pressure control. As a result, considering the fact that daily balance of Na and Ca intakes affects Na and Ca regulating hormones and urinary excretion of Na and Ca, it may be involved in blood pressure control. These results suggest that maintaining an adequate intake of Ca with less intake of Na may prevent from the risk of hypertension. (Korean J Nutrition 34(4) : 409~416, 2001)

Keywords

• blood pressure;
• habitual Na;
• Ca intake;
• Na;
• Ca regulating hormones