Q. I have always believed that salt was a health hazard, and I have worked hard to eliminate sodium chloride from my diet. I was alarmed to read headlines recently that cutting salt might increase heart risks. That’s just the opposite of what I’ve been told. Can you fill me in on the evidence?
A. Millions of people share your confusion. Many doctors are also perplexed by recent studies suggesting that low-salt diets may have unexpected negative consequences.
A study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (May 4, 2011) assessed blood pressure in relationship to a sensitive measure of sodium intake. The study lasted eight years and included over 3,500 healthy people. Salt intake was not related to a diagnosis of hypertension. What’s more, people consuming the least sodium were most likely to die from cardiovascular complications.
A recent meta-analysis of 167 experimental studies found that reducing sodium had a modest impact on blood pressure (American Journal of Hypertension, online, Nov. 9, 2011). There were negative effects, however. People on low-salt regimens had higher levels of cholesterol and triglycerides as well as stress hormones such as adrenaline, renin and aldosterone. Elevations in these hormones might undo the benefits of sodium restriction.
Many people get very indignant when data do not conform to what they have been told for decades. There is a tendency to shoot the messenger, especially when the news contradicts long-held beliefs. For further discussion and some emotional comments from visitors to this site you may wish to visit this link and this one. Then please add your own comments below.
