IJMST 2017 Volume 7 Issue 7

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Title:

Prevention of Hypertension: A critical review of the Health benefits of Salt, Garlic, Fish Oil, Chocolate and Vitamin D

Authors & Affiliation:

Kofi Amoh-Mensah 1, Samuel E. Ankomah 2, Akua Kusiwaa Karikari 3 & Joshua A. Arthur 4

1 Holy Family Nursing and Midwifery Training School, Techiman, Ghana

2, 3 Family Medicine Directorate, 4 Public Health Unit,

Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital, P.O. Box 1934, Kumasi, Ghana

kofam2004@yahoo.com, kingkestic@yahoo.com, akua9377@yahoo.com, arthureuk@yahoo.co.uk

Abstract:

Background: Hypertension could be defined as a blood pressure measurement of 140/90 mmHg or above obtained by ambulatory blood pressure monitoring. It is a global pandemic affecting about a billion people and causing 9.4 million deaths worldwide with its associated complications. Hypertension has no clear symptoms and therefore is also called the silent killer. With these debilitating effects, prevention of hypertension has become necessary.

Aim: The purpose of this literature review was to discuss how salt, garlic, fish oil, dark chocolate and vitamin D could prevent hypertension.

Method: An extensive review of literature was initiated by accessing the following search engines: Cochrane library, Medline and CINAHL. Articles gathered ranged from year 2005 to 2014. Thirty-eight (38) articles were obtained for the discussion.

Conclusion: Reduced salt, garlic, fish oil, chocolate and vitamin D could prevent hypertension from happening. This study observes that these foods have the ability to effect changes in the vascular smooth muscle cells that could aid in the prevention of hypertension.