Last update and review: April 27, 2020.
Dietary intakes of hypertensive and normotensive Koreans.
During a literature review, we came across a 2012 article by Kim et al., 2012 (1), which investigated the association between calcium intakes and blood pressure in hypertensive and normotensive Korean subjects.
There were no significant differences in the calcium intakes and in the intakes of other nutrients between the hypertensive and normotensive groups. The findings are therefore of limited value in regard to blood pressure regulation. However, the study by Kim et al., 2012 (1), contains some interesting facts.
Only 30 grams of fat a day in the Korean diet.
Thus, if we look at the table with the daily energy and nutrient intakes of the subjects, we can see that people in Korea consume only around 30 grams of fat a day.
Caloric intakes are under-reported on the food questionnaires.
Interestingly, according to the “table 2” above, the subjects consume only around 1500 kCal a day. This is most likely a usual case of under-reporting. Indeed, when food questionnaires are used, people usually under-report their food or caloric intakes by roughly 30%. Kim et al., 2012 (1), on the way the recorded dietary intakes:
Dietary intake survey
The dietary intake survey was conducted by a 24-hour recall method for 3 days. Study subjects in each group were interviewed by trained research staff to examine the types and amounts of all foods that the subjects had consumed in the previous 3 days. Food models and photographs were used to assist in estimating serving sizes of foods. Dietary intake of calcium and other nutrients were analyzed by using Can-Pro 3.0 (The Korean Nutrition Society, Seoul, Korea).
Cereals are the main source of 250g of daily carbohydrates for Koreans.
Another table from the study shows us the sources of different macronutrients. Carbohydrates in the Korean diet come mainly from cereals. Vegetables and fruits are also consumed in considerable quantities, but the carbohydrate content of these food categories is relatively low.
Slightly elevated triglycerides in the “Korea-nivores”.
It is also interesting to note that triglycerides, a good marker of metabolic health, were slightly elevated above the optimal levels in both hypertensive and normotensive subjects. There were no statistically significant difference in terms of triglyceride levels between the hypertensive and the normotensive.
Another interesting fact is that, in the normotensive subjects, “animal calcium” was strongly and significantly correlated with triglycerides. That is, the higher the intake of animal calcium, the higher triglycerides.
The correlations between blood pressure and different other parameters were not very informative.
Conclusions.
In our consulting practice, we have been recommending a diet with minimal fat intake as one of the experiments or “protocols” for people who are working on improving their digestive health. It is interesting to realize that this approach is similar to the dietary habits of modern Koreans.
If you need help with improving your digestive health and would like to try our “fat restriction protocol” or some of our other tips and “protocols”, do not hesitate to get in contact with us.
1 Comment