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Sodium Reduction in Populations - Insights From the Institute of Medicine Committee
JAMA ^ | June 6, 2013 | Brian L. Strom, MD, MPH; Cheryl A. M. Anderson, PhD, MPH, MS; Joachim H. Ix, MD, MAS

Posted on 06/07/2013 10:33:05 PM PDT by neverdem

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To: Salvey
About 25 years ago, I was administered a 24 hour urine renin test at the Cornell Hospital hypertension clinic. It consisted of my having to collect my urine for 24 hours and take it to Cornell for analysis. Based on that test (I actually took it twice), I was told that I was not “salt sensitive,” and that I did not need to restrict my salt intake.

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, it’s 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.

21 posted on 06/08/2013 7:37:25 AM PDT by Praxeologue
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To: Right Wing Assault
Drs. Alderman & Coehen, who conducted the study you cite, have long argued against a link between sodium and cardio-vascular disease. A study released in April summarized studies to date, supported a link, and found flaws in Alderman's and Cohen's methodology.
22 posted on 06/08/2013 8:17:58 AM PDT by Praxeologue
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To: Kennard
Excess sodium intake has a high correlation to cardiovascular disease, according to every major medical research hospital.

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.

23 posted on 06/08/2013 9:21:44 AM PDT by Harmless Teddy Bear (Join AAAA : Americans Against Acronym Abuse)
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To: Kennard

Did they find a alt intake level below which things start going bad?


24 posted on 06/08/2013 9:41:03 AM PDT by Right Wing Assault (Dick Obama is more inexperienced now than he was before he was elected.)
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To: Kennard
The yo-yo dieting of medical fad has people sick of being restricted from food that tastes good. Medical research says cholesterol in food is bad, cut out egg yolks. Then, not so fast, it isn't so bad after all. Medical research says dairy butter is bad and margarine is better. Not so fast, now it's reversed. Medical research now says trans fats are bad, wasn't that the basis for most margarine at the time it was said to be healthy?

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.

25 posted on 06/08/2013 9:45:56 AM PDT by RegulatorCountry
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To: Diapason

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.


26 posted on 06/08/2013 1:42:26 PM PDT by RipSawyer (I was born on Earth, what planet is this?)
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To: Right Wing Assault
Did they find a alt intake level below which things start going bad?

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.

27 posted on 06/08/2013 5:44:39 PM PDT by Praxeologue
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To: Kennard
These numbers are required sodium intake levels and are from my previous readings. The study released in April referenced groups divided by over/under 2.0 grams (2,000mg) and 1.2 grams (1,200mg) per day respectively. This is against a background of average American consumption of 3.5 to 4.0 grams (3,500 to 4,000mg) of sodium per day.

In other words, no one is going to become ill by bringing their sodium consumption under 1.2 grams per day.

28 posted on 06/08/2013 5:58:12 PM PDT by Praxeologue
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