dairy and BP control

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Meta-analysis supports milk proteins for blood pressure improvements

By ls

08-Sep-2008 -

Peptides from milk may help to reduce blood pressure and ultimately the risk of

cardiovascular disease, according to a new meta-analysis from China.

Researchers from Soochow and Peking Universities focused on the efficacy of

milk-derived isoleucine-proline-proline (IPP) and valine-proline-proline (VPP)

ingredients to impact blood pressure in pre-hypertensive and hypertensive

subjects.

Reporting their findings in the journal Nutrition, the researchers stated the

pooled data from the trials showed that the milk tripeptides were associated

with a 4.8 mmHg reduction in systolic blood pressure and a 2.2 mmHg reduction in

diastolic blood pressure.

“Our analysis provided evidence that milk-derived IPP and VPP have a

hypotensive effect in pre-hypertensive and hypertensive subjects,†wrote lead

author Jia-Ying Xu.

“Because milk protein produces many peptides, further RCTs should be done in

different countries to test the hypotensive effect of these milk peptides.â€

The meta-analysis appears to support the efficacy of the small number of

milk-derived ingredients on the market positioned to improve cardiovascular

health. DSM, for example, launched an IPP ingredient called TensGuard earlier

this year.

On a similar but different point, Puleva Biotech is also looking at the

potential of hydrolyzed caseins from goat's milk to prevent the development of

high blood pressure, and have backed up their efficacy in animal and human

studies.

With some one billion people worldwide suffering from high blood pressure -

likely to more than double by 2025 - products aimed at cutting this will prove

popular.

High blood pressure (hypertension),defined as having a systolic and diastolic

blood pressure (BP) greater than 140 and 90 mmHg, is a major risk factor for

cardiovascular disease (CVD) - a disease that causes almost 50 per cent of

deaths in Europe, and reported to cost the EU economy an estimated €169bn

($202bn) per year.

Analysis details

Xu and co-workers scanned the Medline, PubMed, Embase, Science Citation Index,

and Cochrane Controlled Trials Register databases and identified 12 trials that

matched their inclusion criteria. The trials included 623 participants with

pre-hypertension and hypertension.

The pooled data showed significant decreases of 4.8 and 2.2 mmHg in systolic and

diastolic blood pressure.

Furthermore, when the researchers analysed the results according to the blood

pressure status of the participants, a greater effect for the IPP and VPP

ingredients was observed in people with hypertension.

Additionally, the longer the intervention period, the “more obvious†the

blood pressure-lowering effects, said the researchers.

“Our analysis and the RCTs [used in the analysis] have great implications for

public health because prehypertension and hypertension are very frequent in

developed and developing countries and even a small decrease in blood pressure

is beneficial for CVD risk,†stated the researchers.

“Increasing the consumption of dairy products containing hypotensive

components also avoids undesirable side effects from antihypertensive drugs and

saves on the cost of drug therapy,†they added.

Mechanism

The researchers note that the mechanism has been studied mostly in relation to

the angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE)-inhibitory activity of milk peptides.

ACE inhibitors work by inhibiting the conversion of angiotensin I to the potent

vasoconstrictor, angiotensin II, thereby improving blood flow and blood

pressure.

Limitations

The researchers noted limitations with their analysis, including the inclusion

of only a small number of trials. While the focus on IPP and VPP interventions

restricted the number of studies eligible for the meta-analysis, this did

enhance the homogeneity of the studies, said the researchers.

Another limitation was that the trials used in the meta-analysis were all

conducted in either Japan or Finland.

“The narrow geographic region may have helped with the homogeneity in the

present analysis,†stated Xu and co-workers.

“However, subjects from Japan and Finland represent only a fraction of the

global population, which may result in an incomplete understanding of the effect

of milk tripeptides on blood pressure.â€

Independent comment

Commenting independently on the results, Ross, cardiac nurse at the

British Heart Foundation (BHF) told NutraIngredients.com that the analysis does

suggest there is evidence to support the claim that milk tripeptides help to

reduce blood pressure.

“Tripeptides are found in some yoghurt and cheese products but the cheeses in

particular may also be high in saturated fat and salt,†she said. “Being

physically active, maintaining a healthy weight and stopping smoking are all

things that we can do to keep our blood pressure within the recommended

limit.â€

Source: Nutrition (Elsevier)

Volume 24, Pages 933–940

“Effect of milk tripeptides on blood pressure: A meta-analysis of randomized

controlled trialsâ€

Authors: J.-Y. Xu, L.-Q. Qin, P.-Y. Wang, W. Li, C. Chang

S. Kalman PhD, RD, CCRC, FACN

Miami Research Associates

Director, Nutrition & Applied Clinical Research

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Miami, FL. 33143

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