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salt association |
| salt & health | ||||||
older people Restricting salt intake in the elderly - specifically in the summer months - can prove dangerous. Senior citizens tend to drink less and are less acclimatised to hot weather. The two together can cause serious problems. The salt lost through sweat is not replaced and - to put it simply - the blood thickens and blood pressure rises. This puts extra strain on the heart and can lead to heart attacks and strokes. In the intense heat of August 2003, over 2,000 people in the UK and almost 15,000 in France died from over-heating. Many were elderly. The World Meteorological Organization estimates that the number of heat-related deaths could double in less than 20 years. Experimental studies in young volunteers have shown that haemoconcentration - when there is a decrease in the volume of plasma in relation to the number of red blood cells - can arise under hot conditions due to loss of salt in sweat. Drinking water, taking adequate salt, and keeping cool are essential. If in any doubt, it is advisable to consult a doctor.
Further information: Press release: Older people at risk from Government heatwave advice |
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