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Salt enables our bodies to perform a variety of essential functions. It
is the sodium in salt that is so important, because it helps maintain
the fluid in our blood cells and generate and transmit electrical impulses
in our nerves and muscles.
Without salt, our bodies cannot function. Sodium depletion is usually
associated with dehydration as, when we overheat, we lose water and salt
through sweat. Failure to replenish the salt can be harmful. Symptoms
of insufficient intake can range from muscular weakness, cramps and heat
exhaustion to – in extreme cases – death.
If you are healthy, it is unlikely that you will consume too much salt
on a normal western diet. However, even in the long term, there has been
no proof that consuming too much salt has an adverse effect on the well-being
of generally healthy people.
By eating a balanced diet – see the balanced diet section in another
part of this website.
A reduction in salt intake for people suffering from high blood pressure
is an accepted part of an overall medical treatment for many suffering
from the problem. However, for the vast majority of the population who
do not suffer from high blood pressure there is no conclusive evidence
that a low salt diet prevents the problem arising. Research has shown
that any ‘average’ reduction in blood pressure is miniscule
and there may be large individual fluctuations (up or down) within this
average. The government is following the ‘precautionary principle’
when urging us to reduce salt intake, but this may have its own risks
because reducing sodium intake could in itself be harmful for some population
groups such as pregnant women and senior citizens.
Salt has several essential functions including preserving food enhancing
its flavour. As salt has always been in our diets, we are accustomed to
its taste and would find such products as bread and pasta unpalatable
without it.
There is no evidence that salt causes high blood pressure. Cutting back
on salt will make little difference to the blood pressure of a healthy
person whose kidneys excrete any excess salt from the body. High blood
pressure, or hypertension, is triggered by a variety of factors. It is
often a hereditary condition, or is triggered by a poor lifestyle, particularly
obesity, a lack of exercise and excessive alcohol consumption.
If you already have high blood pressure, cutting back on salt may help
the situation. However, other lifestyle changes, such as improving your
diet, exercise and cutting back on alcohol consumption are far more efficient
options. For most of us with normal blood pressure – and particularly
such sectors of society as senior citizens and pregnant women –
lowering salt intake could actually harm your health. Look at the relevant
sections of this website for more details.
No advice on an essential nutrient like salt in the diet should be handed
out without carefully monitoring both the anticipated beneficial effect
and the possible adverse effects.
The only other group who may benefit from a low salt
diet is those whose kidneys are unable to excrete salt because of severe
kidney disease. Such individuals should already be under the supervision
of a renal specialist. Occasionally, individuals suffer water retention
associated with menstruation or other hormonal change. Low salt diets
may help some but there is a strong case for finding and correcting the
underlying problem.
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