Abstract
Research into the relationship between dietary electrolytes and the primary cause and treatment of hypertension has now reached the stage where long-term, detailed, controlled, randomized, clinical trials of intervention need to be carried out among those at high risk, including children. Such trials must incorporate methods for estimating "sensitive" responders. The designs should also include precise measures of change in dietary electrolyte intake and allow for analysis of interaction of the effects of individual electrolytes.
We have sketched the unforeseen errors, that now must be avoided, from earlier studies and given an outline of a current study that sets out to meet optimum requirements. It is to be hoped that many similar studies will soon be initiated in multiple population groups.
