Posted on 05/14/2013 5:39:09 PM PDT by neverdem
A surprising new report questions public health efforts to get Americans to sharply cut back on salt, saying it’s not clear whether eating super-low levels is worth the struggle...
--snip--
“We’re not saying we shouldn’t be lowering excessive salt intake,” said Dr. Brian Strom of the University of Pennsylvania, who led the IOM committee. But below 2,300 mg a day, “there is simply a lack of data that shows it is beneficial.”
The average American consumes more than 3,400 mg of sodium a day, equivalent to 1 ½ teaspoons. Current U.S. dietary guidelines say most people should limit that to 2,300 mg a day, while certain people — those older than 50, African-Americans, and people with high blood pressure, diabetes or chronic kidney disease — should aim for just 1,500 mg...
(Excerpt) Read more at washingtonpost.com ...
At least there's one area I can consider myself, 'above average" :-)
my doc told me with high blood pressure like mine i could eat all the salt i want
Me thinks they make up stats...
What you say?? That's crazy??
I heard something like this a while back. All I know is that I am restricted to 1500 mg. a day and doing so has improved my blood pressure and kidney disease. I was advised, however, not to go below 1000 mg. a day or it would upset my electrolyte balance and potentially kill me.
Drink a lot of water.
I actually supplement my sodium intake daily - I consume 2 bouillon cubes before working out each afternoon. I don’t eat more than 20g to 25g of carbs each day and my kidneys excrete sodium immediately. Absent my lunch of 2 bouillon cubes each day, I can’t make it through a workout without a massive headache and low performance.
But, I do agree that most Americans consume far too much sodium. People who eat ANY processed food whatsoever get too much.
The studies show that the blood pressure improvements due to reduced sodium intake are only applicable to a small percentage of people.
Most people see little blood pressure benefit from reduced sodium intake.
You know what? I am so sick of this. I am going to eat what I want, where I want, when I want, and wash it down with a a stiff vodka tonic. When my body has had enough, I’ll die. But dammit, while I’m alive, I want to live like Winston Churchill, not Richard Simmons.
Yah think? Salt is necessary to life.
You don't get enough you die.
try an ‘outback’ baked potato ... enough salt for a month.
But there can never be too many things you can use to bully people into obeying you.
When I finish one jar, I'll strain the remaining brine and garlic into the next jar.
Salt's primary sin is that it makes food taste better which leads to eating more than we should. A salt free diet is guaranteed to produce a weight loss. You would be surprised at how much less one eats if the food doesn't taste good.
I have developed high blood pressure in the past few years while my sodium levels are "too low," according to my doctor!
I've never cared much for salty foods, never added table salt to my foods, especially when eating out.
I do know that people with a history of kidney stones, can lessen them by keeping their sodium intake to around 1,000 - 1,500.
Now I will discuss a subject regarding low sodium killing babies that some of you might remember, a formula using I think, soy for babies, who weren't being nursed by their mothers and couldn't tolerate milk from cows, so were put on a soy formula. Evidently, the sodium levels were not high enough and the babies died!
There is a problem with low sodium that is unhealthy as well as too high sodium but consumption, at least for adults doesn't always add up to being the culprit and in the case of a blood pressure, consuming or not consuming salt, doesn't always give the result expected.
About 35 years ago a manufacturer of baby milk replacer had to recall his product. Several babies got sick as the forgot to add a necessary ingredient. salt.
I add salt to every vegetable I have to boil - potatoes, peas, corn, broccoli etc. - then add more on the plate. Never had a problem, and my BP is still in the ‘normal’ range for my age. Too much bs on max quantities, and not enough on moderation.
Those are two of the most common symptoms of heat exhaustion. Others are vertigo, fainting, and severe muscle cramps.
Long ago, I learned from a nutritionist that what lies behind those symptoms, is the loss of essential minerals during heavy exertion/perspiration, most especially salt. The way to prevent it, is to simply supplement with natural salt (sea salt tabs work best).
In fact, lots of older guys will tell you that they were issued salt tablets in their military training days. I work outdoors in the construction trades and carry a bottle of sea salt tablets with me at all times. On days when I forget to take them, I get some of the symptoms you mentioned. On days I don't forget, I never experience any of them.
brityank You are correct. Salt is good for you. Elevated Blood Pressure has more to do with sugar than salt especially sea salt. I am an LPN nurse and I was very sick, I ate myself to wellness. I decided to report on my research so I created a blog. This is a link to one of the articles covering both salt and sugar.
Thank You
coconutcreamcare
http://coconutcreamcare.com/2012/06/26/what-you-should-know-before-using-that-artificial-sweetener/
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