SALT AND PROTEIN RESTRICTION: Effects on Blood Pressure and Renal Hemodynamics in Hypertensive Patients

The abundant literature on sodium chloride restriction and dietary treatment of hypertension has recently been reviewed by Pines and Perera. 1 A rice diet regimen of salt and protein restriction has been suggested 2 for the treatment of hypertensive patients. We have used this diet in the study of a limited number of patients, our attention being directed to its effects on blood pressure and renal function. METHODS Twelve patients with essential hypertension were selected from the Hypertension and Nephritis Clinic of the New York University Clinic and from the Third (New York University) Medical Division of Bellevue Hospital. They were chosen at random from patients with hypertensive disease of varying extent and duration. Blood pressure was determined by the auscultatory method with a mercury sphygmomanometer. A group of three readings was made every morning, noon and late afternoon, after bed rest for not less than fifteen minutes, and the