Two experts from the Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn, have prepared a highly readable and practical cookbook for the dietary management of persons with high blood pressure. Because hypertension manifests itself in familial clusters, the approach focuses on food preparation for all family members. The potential for carry-over of a dietary life style to other family members may have prophylactic benefits. Nutritional intervention in the form of weight control and regulation of sodium intake is imperative prior to the initiation of drug therapy for control of hypertension. Even if drugs are necessary for control of hypertension, daily regulation of sodium and energy intake are essential adjuncts to total patient management.
Organized in three parts, the book presents a brief section defining the physiologic mechanism for development of hypertension, a rationale for its medical management, both drug and dietary, and descriptive menu plans for regulation of sodium intake to 40 and 90