Proteins from Milk Linked to Better Blood Pressure

A recent study published in the October 2008 issue of the journal Nutrition reported that peptides from milk may help reduce blood pressure. High blood pressure (or hypertension) is one of the biggest indicators of cardiovascular disease. It is defined as a systolic BP over 140 and a diastolic BP over 90; in other words, a BP higher than 140/90.

For the study, researchers from Soochow and Peking Universities analyzed data pooled from nine studies published between 1996-2005. They looked at a total of 623 people with hypertension or pre-hypertension, all of which were given milk derived peptides as an intervention method.

Researchers found that those participants given milk peptides saw a 4.8 mmHg reduction in systolic blood pressure and a 2.2 mmHg reduction in diastolic blood pressure. When the researchers separated participants based on blood pressure, they found that individuals with high blood pressure (hypertension) saw a greater benefit from the milk peptides than those with pre-hypertension.

Milk peptides are small chains of amino acids formed when milk proteins are broken down in our stomach. They are found most abundantly in yogurt and cheese products.

Approximately 1 billion people suffer from high blood pressure worldwide. That figure is projected to double by the year 2025. Based on this research milk peptide supplements may be one way to help control this epidemic.

In addition to milk peptides there are many other lifestyle choices that can help you keep your blood pressure within healthy levels. Maintaining a normal body weight, exercising, consuming less salt, saturated fat and refined sugars, not smoking, and taking nutritional supplements like omega-3 fish oil are all good ways to keep blood pressure in check.