Posted on 05/30/2023 2:09:37 PM PDT by ConservativeMind
Dementia is defined as the loss of cognitive functioning—including thinking, remembering, and reasoning. Currently, the treatment satisfaction for dementia is among the lowest and no drug therapy is available to cure the disease.
Cognitive impairment has been linked to the consumption of excess table salt.
The involvement of angiotensin II (Ang II)—a hormone that plays a key role in regulating blood pressure and fluid balance—and its receptor "AT1," as well as that of the physiologically important lipid molecule prostaglandin E2 PGE2 and its receptor "EP1" in hypertension and neurotoxicity is well-recognized).
To this end, a recent study evaluated the aspects of HS-mediated hypertension and emotional/cognitive impairment. The study has shown how hypertension, mediated by the crosstalk between Ang II-AT1 and PGE2-EP1 causes emotional and cognitive dysfunction.
According to the published data, the addition of excessive phosphates to the protein "tau" is primarily responsible for this emotional and cognitive consequences. The findings are particularly noteworthy because tau is a key protein of the Alzheimer's disease.
The team first loaded laboratory mice with an HS solution (2% NaCl in drinking water) for 12 weeks and monitored their blood pressure.
The results were remarkable and encouraging: The brains of the experimental mice had several biochemical alternations. At the molecular level, besides the addition of phosphates to tau, the researchers also observed a decrease in the phosphate groups linked to a key enzyme called "CaMKII"—a protein involved in brain signaling.
Moreover, changes in the levels of "PSD95"—a protein that plays a vital role in the organization and function of brain synapses (connection between brain cells)—were also evident. Interestingly, the biochemical changes were reversed after the administration of the antihypertensive drug "losartan."
(Excerpt) Read more at medicalxpress.com ...
It may be possible to have this benefit from other ARBs.
I’ve tried Losartan because Lisinopril made me drowsy. But Losartan left me with a continuously urge to cough. So I switched back and just take the lisinopril in the evening.
Just the opposite here. Lisinopril caused our cough, fits at times.
I live in Phoenix, salt intake is necessary here in the desert.
I can second this; same thing happened to me, coughing fits taking Lisinopril.
Losartan is working for me, so far, so good.
“Just the opposite here. Lisinopril caused our cough, fits at times.”
Ditto. Lisinopril is well known to cause coughing. Happened to me and doc switched me to Losartan.
That is interesting, because I stopped taking Lisinopril because of a persistent cough, and went to Losartan which has worked out pretty well.
I’m well south of you. Spend a lot of time outdoors. And yeah...I get salt CRAVINGS!
The linked article says: “The team first loaded laboratory mice with an HS solution (2% NaCl in drinking water) for 12 weeks and monitored their blood pressure.”
If someone pumped enough salt into me, I’m sure it would cause problems. Same with distilled water. And none of that tells me what is the right amount of salt for me. So...when I crave salt, I’ll take some. I use a supplement made for runners - after all, I am one - and often find I just feel better after taking one. Maybe 2 after a mid-day run...
Absolutely, salt is essential to our body. The key is to get enough potassium to keep it in balance. The ratio of 2 to 1, potassium to sodium is key. Also low hematocrit levels are associated with Alzheimers and cognitive issues. A proper diet and exercise will help lower blood pressure. I’m weaning myself off of my lisinopril as my BP comes down.
I eat tons of salt and my BP is very low.
Also take magnesium as it works with salt to balance water and fluids.
Making sure you get proper amounts of potassium and magnesium are key to avoiding sodium issues.
Salt and high blood pressure ... Who knew? Oh, yeah, my mother did. 50 years ago.
I take spironolactone 25 mg for HBP. I had been on another drug but by BP was erratic, going extremely low to high.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.