 Conditions that suggest Salt Sensitivity: | |  | | | Circulation |  Hypertension | Researchers estimate that 26% of Americans with normal blood pressure and about 58% of those with high blood pressure may be salt sensitive. [Feb. 16, 2001 supplemental issue of Hypertension] |
Coronary Disease / Heart Attack| | People who experience a jump in blood pressure when they consume salt are at increased risk of dying from heart disease. Even salt-sensitive individuals with normal blood pressure are at risk, as blood pressure eventually rises. [Hypertension (supp), Feb. 16, 2001] Hypertension and salt sensitivity are independent risk factors for cardiovascular disease. |
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Salt Sensitivity can lead to: | | | | | Circulation |  Hypertension| | Researchers estimate that 26% of Americans with normal blood pressure and about 58% of those with high blood pressure may be salt sensitive. [Feb. 16, 2001 supplemental issue of Hypertension] |
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Recommendations and treatments for Salt Sensitivity: | | | | | Diet |  Processed Foods Avoidance| | Processed food often has salt added as a flavor enhancer to encourage product sales. Significantly reducing processed food consumption is always a good idea. The general rule is that any food in a package has had salt added. Look at the labels on the food that you eat. If the sodium content per 100gm is greater than 0.2gm, the food is high in salt. |
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Mineral |
Salt Intake Reduction| | On average, only 10% of dietary sodium comes from salt added to food at the table. Therefore, beyond eliminating salt from the table, it is recommended that one reduces preserved and processed food consumption and avoids adding excessive salt to food being prepared at home. Ideally, one should try to reduce daily salt intake to 2,400mg (slightly more than 1 tsp). People should check food labels and watch out for high sodium items, including such processed foods as luncheon meats, prepared cheeses, canned vegetables, snack foods and baked products. |
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KEY | | Weak or unproven link | | | Strong or generally accepted link | | | Highly recommended |
GLOSSARY
Cardiovascular
Pertaining to the heart and blood vessels.
Diuretic (Diuretics)
An agent increasing urine flow, causing the kidneys to excrete more than the usual amount of sodium, potassium and water.
Gram (gm, gms, Gramme, Grammes, Grams)
A metric unit of weight, there being approximately 28 grams in one ounce.
Hypertension
High blood pressure. Hypertension increases the risk of heart attack, stroke, and kidney failure because it adds to the workload of the heart, causing it to enlarge and, over time, to weaken; in addition, it may damage the walls of the arteries.
Milligram (mg, Milligrams)
0.001 or a thousandth of a gram.
Millimeter (Millimeters, mm)
A metric unit of length equaling one thousandth of a meter, or one tenth of a centimeter. There are 25.4 millimeters in one inch.
Potassium
A mineral that serves as an electrolyte and is involved in the balance of fluid within the body. Our bodies contain more than twice as much potassium as sodium (typically 9oz versus 4oz). About 98% of total body potassium is inside our cells. Potassium is the principal cation (positive ion) of the fluid within cells and is important in controlling the activity of the heart, muscles, nervous system and just about every cell in the body. Potassium regulates the water balance and acid-base balance in the blood and tissues. Evidence is showing that potassium is also involved in bone calcification. Potassium is a cofactor in many reactions, especially those involving energy production and muscle building.
Sodium
An essential mineral that our bodies regulate and conserve. Excess sodium retention increases the fluid volume (edema) and low sodium leads to less fluid and relative dehydration. The adult body averages a total content of over 100 grams of sodium, of which a surprising one-third is in bone. A small amount of sodium does get into cell interiors, but this represents only about ten percent of the body content. The remaining 57 percent or so of the body sodium content is in the fluid immediately surrounding the cells, where it is the major cation (positive ion). The role of sodium in the extracellular fluid is maintaining osmotic equilibrium (the proper difference in ions dissolved in the fluids inside and outside the cell) and extracellular fluid volume. Sodium is also involved in nerve impulse transmission, muscle tone and nutrient transport. All of these functions are interrelated with potassium.
Teaspoon (Teaspoons, tsp)
Equivalent to 5cc (5ml).
Last updated: May 11, 2008
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