Dr. Kenneth Grafton has been practicing family medicine in Laurel for years, but recently joined South Central Clinics. He says hypertension or high blood pressure is found in one in three adults in Mississippi, and the first thing they need to do is change their lifestyle. He says that a healthy diet is the cornerstone for treating a condition like hypertension that is affected by poor eating habits, weight gain, lack of activity, and too much stress. Fortunately, the DASH diet is a life-long approach to healthy eating specifically designed to help treat and prevent hypertension. The letters stand for Dietary Approach to Stopping Hypertension. The base for the diet is plenty of fruit, vegetables and low-fat dairy products. In moderate amounts, you can consume whole-grain cereals, poultry fish, and nuts. Sparingly, you can eat red meat, fats, and sweets. The goal of the diet is to increase protein, calcium, magnesium, and potassium to lower blood sugar. The DASH diet also decreases chances of getting osteoporosis, cancer, heart disease, and diabetes.

To be evaluated by Dr. Grafton, call South Central Family Medicine at (601) 649-2863 or visit scrmc.com.