If you are paying attention, then you have probably noticed a trend
of sorts – particularly about contradictory medical findings. Take
virtually any substance that can be consumed or ingested (except maybe
tobacco and narcotics) and you will find evidence, in the form of
published medical reports, in favor of moderate consumption as well as
evidence that will scare you away from taking another bite.
Salt, as we have all been told, is horrendously bad for you, especially in large amounts. The habitual consumption of salty foods has been linked to heart disease and hypertension, along with higher instances of strokes and heart attacks. For some, even a modest amount of salt in their diet can spell years of complications and health risks. A few years back an article in the New England Journal of Medicine estimated (using previous studies’ numbers) that the U.S. could prevent 44,000 deaths annually if Americans reduced their salt intake by three grams per day. The common recommendation among at risk populations (which is about half of the American population) was 1,500 milligrams of sodium a day, or a little more than half a teaspoon of salt (2,300 mg is what is recommended for the other half of the population).
But within the last three to five years there has been a mounting case that (surprise!) greatly differs, or contradicts, these findings and recommendations. A new expert committee, commissioned by the Institute of Medicine at the behest of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, said there was no rationale for anyone to aim for sodium levels below 2,300 milligrams a day (this includes at-risk populations) and in some instances some people may be at risk for consuming too little sodium. Brian Strom, a dean and professor of public health at the University of Pennsylvania, recently told NPR that the report revealed, “The net conclusion is that people who are eating too much sodium should lower their sodium, but it is possible that if you lower it too much you may do harm.” This is in reference to an Italian study cited in the by the commission where patients with congestive heart failure actually did worse on low sodium diets.
To be sure, The Heart Association is staying firm on their long-held position that sodium intake should be greatly regulated and maintained at the advised levels. But it is difficult to know who or what to believe. I figure if you are part of the “at risk” population you would probably be advised to keep away from high-sodium products and keep a close watch on your general sodium intake. What are your views of such findings and the nature of contradictory reports? Are you influenced one way or another?
Salt, as we have all been told, is horrendously bad for you, especially in large amounts. The habitual consumption of salty foods has been linked to heart disease and hypertension, along with higher instances of strokes and heart attacks. For some, even a modest amount of salt in their diet can spell years of complications and health risks. A few years back an article in the New England Journal of Medicine estimated (using previous studies’ numbers) that the U.S. could prevent 44,000 deaths annually if Americans reduced their salt intake by three grams per day. The common recommendation among at risk populations (which is about half of the American population) was 1,500 milligrams of sodium a day, or a little more than half a teaspoon of salt (2,300 mg is what is recommended for the other half of the population).
But within the last three to five years there has been a mounting case that (surprise!) greatly differs, or contradicts, these findings and recommendations. A new expert committee, commissioned by the Institute of Medicine at the behest of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, said there was no rationale for anyone to aim for sodium levels below 2,300 milligrams a day (this includes at-risk populations) and in some instances some people may be at risk for consuming too little sodium. Brian Strom, a dean and professor of public health at the University of Pennsylvania, recently told NPR that the report revealed, “The net conclusion is that people who are eating too much sodium should lower their sodium, but it is possible that if you lower it too much you may do harm.” This is in reference to an Italian study cited in the by the commission where patients with congestive heart failure actually did worse on low sodium diets.
To be sure, The Heart Association is staying firm on their long-held position that sodium intake should be greatly regulated and maintained at the advised levels. But it is difficult to know who or what to believe. I figure if you are part of the “at risk” population you would probably be advised to keep away from high-sodium products and keep a close watch on your general sodium intake. What are your views of such findings and the nature of contradictory reports? Are you influenced one way or another?
Sea salt in natural.lower in sodium and tastes saltier so you can use less. The iodized salt in the store is manufactured in a factory using lots of chemicals to process it. Eat whole foods and use moderation. Avoid processed foods, but don't be afraid to use salt when cooking homemade foods.
ReplyDeleteSalt is supposed to be pink or grey. If you are eating white salt it is TOXIC. Unprocessed salt contains very important minerals.
ReplyDeleteUnrefined REAL SALT still has the trace minerals in it and no sugar etc. Has been said to balance blood pressure. I would not know, i have never liked salt on anything.
ReplyDeleteI worked in a medical laboratory for 30 years and know for a fact that many medical studies are either faulty or agenda-driven (money), so I pay little attention to any of them. I salt everything except ice cream, eat plenty of real butter, bacon, sausage and many other foods that some "researchers" say will kill you. We eat tons of beef, pork, chicken and turkey. I used to take a medical newsletter published by a well-known doctor who seems to believe that most everything we eat is toxic. I told my wife one day that if we followed all of his recommendations, there is not a thing in this house that we can eat, drink or breathe......... all is toxic for some reason or other. I stopped taking the newsletter. My wife, (who has never been to a medical doctor) and I eat what we please, enjoy our food and mostly forget what is supposed to be toxic and what is not. A few exceptions: we keep carbohydrate intake rather low, especially high fructose corn syrup and all artificial sweeteners. We avoid most all trans-fats. We eat no margarine, just real butter and drink no pop. Additionally, we avoid all fat free, low fat and sugar free foods that are artificially sweetened. I turned 82 years old this month and my wife turned 79. We're both healthy and enjoy eating all these so-called toxic foods. Well, we can't die young, it is too late for that. To the person who said white salt is toxic, it had better hurry up and kill me before I die of old age.
ReplyDeleteYou are an inspiration for younger generation. Keep going.
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