Posted on 06/07/2013 10:33:05 PM PDT by neverdem
The physicians there also told me that the majority of people do not need to restrict salt intake, but because there are a small number of people who do, and the 24 test is unwieldy and expensive, its easier, from a public health standpoint to simply advise people to reduce their salt intake.
Twenty-five years is a long time in medical research. Dr. Dean Ornish was considered "fringe" back then.
Have read their "studies" they tend to start from an unproved hypothesis and then draw "inferences"
You follow their recommendations if you wish.
I had a MD who wanted me to cut back on salt. So I did. Started feeling lousy. Kept feeling lousy. Had chest pains, heavy heart beat, headaches and passed out. Finally went to a DO who actually knew something. He told me to quit trying to kill myself, salt was necessary. I started eating salt again.
Blood pressure is slightly below normal, no more chest pains. Still have headaches but much less.
Anything that recommends that "everyone should cut back on salt" is a big ol pile of obama.
Did they find a alt intake level below which things start going bad?
Salt is necessary for life, try living in a hot sweaty climate without it. Some may benefit from restriction of dietary intake but all and not even most do. It's invaluable as a preservative and it is anti-microbial. I do not see the rational basis for any blanket condemnation for the use of it.
I'm one of those people who crave salt, by the way. My sodium levels tend to be on the low side, which in my experience leads to the craving. Mowing the yard or hiking on a hot, humid, sweaty day has me wanting fluids and a salty snack. The body is self-regulating to an extent, and that is reflected in the craving.
I have personally witnessed the effects of TOO LOW a sodium level in my own mother and it is frightening. One day she started to say things that made no sense and when my father realized just how wacky she was acting he got her to the emergency room. I met them there and could not believe this was my normally very intelligent mother babbling like someone who needed to be in a home for the incapacitated. A blood test quickly came back indicating a low sodium level, she was put on an IV drip and was back to normal soon. I had had no idea before this just how dangerous LOW sodium can be.
300mg of sodium per day for the average person, 500mg for an athlete and 800mg for a professional athlete getting back into shape for regular season.
In other words, no one is going to become ill by bringing their sodium consumption under 1.2 grams per day.
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