Q. My blood pressure is slightly elevated. I take a water pill to control it, and my doctor suggested that I restrict salt.
My adult-ed science teacher claims that only half the adult population is sensitive to salt so that it makes their blood pressure rise.
I went on an extremely salt-restricted diet for a month and had no change in my blood pressure. My doctor now says I can eat normally.
Please tell people that they should run this experiment themselves before spending the rest of their lives hunting for low-salt foods. Life is complicated on a restricted diet, and it would be a shame to do this if it isn’t needed.
A. The link between salt (sodium chloride) and high blood pressure has been controversial for decades. Studies suggest that cutting back on salt can lower blood pressure modestly. A carefully run, long-term trial found that substantial sodium reduction only lowers blood pressure two or thee points (Journal of Human Hypertension, Jan. 2005).
Some people are especially salt sensitive and benefit from a sodium-restricted diet. Others, like you, don’t see any improvement.
A comprehensive new study in the British Medical Journal (April 28, 2007) found that sodium restriction led to a 25 percent decline in heart attacks and strokes. Even though cutting back on salt may not make a big difference for everyone, it clearly can help some people delay death from cardiovascular disease.
