Effects of dairy foods on angiotensin II and intracellular magnesium

Abstract

The goal of this study was to examine the contribution of dairy foods to the vascular effects of a DASH diet. In 23 adults with untreated hypertension, we measured flow mediated dilation (FMD), angiotensin II concentrations, and intracellular levels of calcium and magnesium. Participants were fed 3 experimental diets (5 wk each) in a randomized crossover study design. Diets included a dairy‐rich, high in fruits and vegetables diet (D‐F&V; 30% fat, 7% saturated fat [SFA], 3.4 servings/d dairy), a high fruits and vegetables diet (F&V; 30% fat, 7% SFA, 0.4 servings/d dairy), and an average Western diet (control; 36% fat, 15% SFA, 0.4 servings/d dairy). There was no significant effect of treatment on FMD. The D‐F&V diet significantly reduced intracellular calcium and significantly increased in intracellular magnesium vs. the other two diets (P<0.01). Furthermore, FMD scores on the two intervention diets were positively correlated with intracellular magnesium concentrations (r's = 0.51 to 0.77, p's< 0.02). Most importantly, our study validated a report from an in vitro study showing that dairy foods suppress angiotensin II concentrations. We found that angiotensin II concentrations decreased by 42% on the D‐F&V diet vs. the control diet. Taken together, these results confirm that dairy foods can alter intracellular cation concentrations and these changes may have beneficial effects on vascular tone.