High salt intake linked to hypertension

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Yaw Imhotep,London 12 years ago

Pure natural salt is good for our health.Any process salt whatever it is(like iodated salt), is not good for our health.Our great grand mothers and fathers ate much natural salt and did not experience any cadiovascular proble ...
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Pure natural salt is good for our health.Any process salt whatever it is(like iodated salt), is not good for our health.Our great grand mothers and fathers ate much natural salt and did not experience any cadiovascular problems and grew more than 100 years.
Tekonline.org 12 years ago

Chemically, sodium is sodium to the body, whether from processed or natural sources. This is a scientific FACT you or I cannot change by beliefs or argument! And don't be fooled by the recent "sea-salt" craze. Studies have sh ...
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Chemically, sodium is sodium to the body, whether from processed or natural sources. This is a scientific FACT you or I cannot change by beliefs or argument! And don't be fooled by the recent "sea-salt" craze. Studies have shown them to be equally dangerous when consumed in large amounts. Of course, whether processed or natural, MODERATION is recommended
.
But for people already hypertensive or are at risk for hypertension (example, diabetics), abstinence is favorable.

Most likely, your great-grand mothers ate plenty of POTASSIUM-rich foods (plaintain, bananas, nuts, fruits and vegetables) to counterbalance the effects of sodium.

Potassium helps lower blood pressure and sodium tends to elevate BP.
Loss of potassium can also negatively impact BP (in addition to a potentially bad effect on heart function): example, excessive use of purgatives and laxatives.

There could be an evolutionary reason why people of African descent tend to develop hypertension. One theory is that, with the very hot climate, our ancestors evolved kidneys that retained sodium to compensate for the massive loss of electrolytes via perspiration. World-wide, blacks are known to have much higher serum sodium levels and also hypertension.
CHARLES KWESI-ACCRA,GHANA. 12 years ago

WELL SAID YAW AND GOD BLESS YOU FOR THE INSIGHTFUL COMMENT.PURE NATURAL SALT IS MORE EXPENSIVE IN EUROPE,U.K.
AND AMERICA B,COS IT,S GOOD FOR HEALTH YET THESE WHITES DECEIVE US THAT IODATED SALT IS BETTER AND WILL MAKE US I ...
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WELL SAID YAW AND GOD BLESS YOU FOR THE INSIGHTFUL COMMENT.PURE NATURAL SALT IS MORE EXPENSIVE IN EUROPE,U.K.
AND AMERICA B,COS IT,S GOOD FOR HEALTH YET THESE WHITES DECEIVE US THAT IODATED SALT IS BETTER AND WILL MAKE US INTELLIGENT.IT,S ONLY FOOLS WHO BELIEVE WHATEVER RUBBISH THESE WHITES SAY.PURE SALT IS ORGANIC AND ALWAYS BETTER SO GHANAINS MUST BE EDUCATED TO USE THAT INSTEAD.THANKS.
Tekonline.org 12 years ago

www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/05/
130522131000.htm
Re-Emergence of Moderate Iodine Deficiency in Developed Countries

May 22, 2013 — A commentary accompanying research published in The Lancet, calls for great ...
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www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/05/
130522131000.htm
Re-Emergence of Moderate Iodine Deficiency in Developed Countries

May 22, 2013 — A commentary accompanying research published in The Lancet, calls for greater public health policies to eradicate iodine deficiency in the U.K. and other developed countries, including the United States. In the article, authors Alex Stagnaro-Green, M.D., and Elizabeth Pearce, M.D., M.Sc., write about the re-emergence of moderate iodine deficiency as an important health concern and direct consequence of insufficient cohesive public health policies.

Iodine -- which is consumed mainly via dairy products, bread, and seafood -- is essential for producing the hormones made by the thyroid gland, which have a direct effect on fetal brain development. Although the potentially harmful effects of severe iodine deficiency on brain development are well-established, very few studies have examined the effect of mild or moderate iodine deficiency during pregnancy on cognitive development in the child. The results of the study connected to the commentary clearly show the importance of adequate iodine status during early pregnancy, and the risks of even mild or moderate iodine deficiency in developing infants.

"The study showed that in those women who had lower levels of Iodine, their children had lower scores in their neurocognitive testing," said Stagnaro-Green, senior associate dean for education and professor of medicine and obstetrics-gynecology at the George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences. "This study goes along with other studies that have been done in the U.K., showing lower amounts of iodine in pregnant women, yet in the U.K. there is limited availability of iodine salt, there are few recommendations of women taking extra iodine during pregnancy, and many of the prenatal vitamins do not have iodine."

Stagnaro-Green, along with Pearce, associate professor of medicine at the Boston University School of Medicine, highlight the public health policies that have worked in the past to eliminate iodine deficiency, such as voluntary salt iodisation in the U.S. in the 1920s. Unfortunately, with a decreased consumption of iodised salt (sea salt, kosher salt and most processed food contain no iodine) and other iodine sources, these policies must be revisited.

"With this study, it's clear that women should be taking prenatal vitamins with iodine and asking their physicians for them," said Stagnaro-Green.
Dayi 12 years ago

this was really an educative health seminar. many of our healthcare providers do not educate us on some of these issues at the various healthcare facilities. Too bad!

this was really an educative health seminar. many of our healthcare providers do not educate us on some of these issues at the various healthcare facilities. Too bad!
Kay,London 12 years ago

The sad part is many Ghanaians are walking around not knowing their blood pressure statuses.

After I moved to England a few months ago I was shocked to learn from my doctor here that I have elevated blood pressure levels d ...
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The sad part is many Ghanaians are walking around not knowing their blood pressure statuses.

After I moved to England a few months ago I was shocked to learn from my doctor here that I have elevated blood pressure levels during a recent visit,I was always breathless and had these banging headaches. My case was a common BP problem called Isolated Systolic Hypertension,I had readings of a normal diastolic hovering around 75 to 90 with my systolic always shooting between 140 and 160--I was pre-hypertensive,and I didn't even know. It really shook me to the core becuz up until then I always thought of myself as a healthy young man--and I'm not even fat!

Many Ghanaians unfortunately eat salt by heart--there's no moderation,our light soups are salty,we eat salted dry fish such as momoni and kako or koobee, our gari is very salty,it is made worst by our crazy daily consumptions of refined carbohydrates which are found in white sugar and bleached or polished rice--what many call 'perfume' rice. Basically,our daily nutritional consumption is all carbs and salt,no fibre,no fruits and vegetables.

It would take YEARS of hard work to get my folks back home to take some of these things serious I tell you--and it's quite alarming,we eat pork meat and turkey tail full of fatty content,instead of Olive Oil,Rapseed,Sunflower and other healthy oils,we eat palm nut oil,coconut oil,all sorts of thick oils which are high in cholesterol--AND WE DONT EXERCISE AT ALL !!!

Oh citizens of Mother Ghana,we are dying sloooowwwly !!!
kwaku 12 years ago

My brother I couldn't agree with you more. Your analysis is on the money. Most folks in Ghana simply do not realize the danger of high sodium intake. No wonder the average life expectancy in Ghana is 60 for men and 62 for wom ...
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My brother I couldn't agree with you more. Your analysis is on the money. Most folks in Ghana simply do not realize the danger of high sodium intake. No wonder the average life expectancy in Ghana is 60 for men and 62 for woman. I recently visited Ghana after 25 years in Canada and I must say...I was quite shocked with the weights some of our women. You are right, most Ghanaians are unaware of their high blood pressure because either they do not go for regular check up or can't afford to do so. The should be serious education about this topic in Ghana.
We are tired 12 years ago

Yet studies recently denied this idea of salt being part of the caused of hypertension. They (those who did the research) clearly stated there's no much evidence supporting this, and this is was ONLY about five or six months ...
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Yet studies recently denied this idea of salt being part of the caused of hypertension. They (those who did the research) clearly stated there's no much evidence supporting this, and this is was ONLY about five or six months ago!

I was particularly interested in the situation when to my amazement during New 1 in New York the presenter questioned one medical doctor on the issue then asked, "So what should we do?" if medical researches give warnings on serious medical findings thing one day only to offer denials the next day.
We are tired 12 years ago

The line should read, "... causes of hypertension..."

and "...News 1 interview in New York..."

The line should read, "... causes of hypertension..."

and "...News 1 interview in New York..."
Tekonline.org 12 years ago

America: Time to Shake the Salt Habit?
Mar. 28, 2013

— The love affair between U.S. residents and salt is making us sick: high sodium intake increases blood pressure, and leads to higher rates of heart attack and strok ...
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America: Time to Shake the Salt Habit?
Mar. 28, 2013

— The love affair between U.S. residents and salt is making us sick: high sodium intake increases blood pressure, and leads to higher rates of heart attack and strokes. Nonetheless, Americans continue to ingest far higher amounts of sodium than those recommended by physicians and national guidelines.

A balanced review of the relevant literature has been published in the March 27, 2013 edition of The New England Journal of Medicine.

Theodore A. Kotchen, MD, professor of medicine (endocrinology), and associate dean for clinical research at the Medical College of Wisconsin, is the lead author of the article.
Dr. Kotchen cites correlations between blood pressure and salt intake in a number of different studies; typically, the causation between lowering salt intake and decreased levels of blood pressure occur in individuals who have been diagnosed with hypertension. Although not as pronounced, there is also a link between salt intake and blood pressure in non-hypertensive individuals. Additionally, recent studies have demonstrated that a reduced salt intake is associated with decreased cardiovascular disease and decreased mortality.
In national studies in Finland and Great Britain, instituting a national salt-reduction program led to decreased sodium intake. In Finland, the resulting decrease in systolic and diastolic blood pressures corresponded to a 75 -- 80 percent decrease in death due to stroke and coronary heart disease.
Nevertheless, not all investigators concur with population-based recommendations to lower salt intake, and the reasons for this position are reviewed.
"Salt is essential for life, but it has been difficult to distinguish salt need from salt preference," said Dr. Kotchen. "Given the medical evidence, it seems that recommendations for reducing levels of salt consumption in the general population would be justifiable at this time." However, in terms of safety, the lower limit of salt consumption has not been clearly identified. In certain patient groups, less rigorous targets for salt reduction may be appropriate.
Co-authors are Allen W. Cowley, Jr., PhD, James J. Smith and Catherine Welsh Smith Professor in Physiology, and Harry and Gertrude Hack Term Professor and chairman of Physiology, the Medical College of Wisconsin; Edward D. Frohlich, MD, Alton Ocshner Distinguished Scientist at the Ochsner Clinic Foundation in New Orleans, La.

Tekonline.org 12 years ago

What confounded some studies was that many CAUCASIANS are naturally NOT sodium-sensitive. The case for blacks and sodium-aggravated hypertension is clinically well-established and I would be more than happy to supply you with ...
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What confounded some studies was that many CAUCASIANS are naturally NOT sodium-sensitive. The case for blacks and sodium-aggravated hypertension is clinically well-established and I would be more than happy to supply you with a list of reputable studies.
Tekonline.org 12 years ago

The culprit is SODIUM. Salt (chemical name: SODIUM CHLORIDE) is just one source.

Other equally-dangerous sources of sodium include Baking Powder (SODIUM BICARBONATE, MSG (Monosodium Glutamate), and various spices like Magg ...
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The culprit is SODIUM. Salt (chemical name: SODIUM CHLORIDE) is just one source.

Other equally-dangerous sources of sodium include Baking Powder (SODIUM BICARBONATE, MSG (Monosodium Glutamate), and various spices like Maggi Cubes, which are loaded with salt.

So anything with baking powder: biscuits, cookies, cakes, meatloaf, etc, would equally be capable of elevating blood pressure, even if they do not taste salty.

Whatever processed food you buy, always read the label to see the amount of SODIUM in the product.
Alfred O.K 12 years ago

I strongly believe this summit will go a long way to educate all ghanaians to limit the amount of salt intake..,and to youth, they should put a stop to their unbenefit eating of salt in order not to endanger their future with ...
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I strongly believe this summit will go a long way to educate all ghanaians to limit the amount of salt intake..,and to youth, they should put a stop to their unbenefit eating of salt in order not to endanger their future with chronic diseases...because we have come a long way to be affected by econmic retrogressive diseases..
Tekonline.org 12 years ago

(From the Journal of the American Society of Hypertension, June 2013)
-----------------------------------

J Am Soc Hypertens. 2013 Jun 1. pii: S1933-1711(13)00085-5. doi: 10.1016/j.jash.2013.04.009. [Epub ahead of print]
...
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(From the Journal of the American Society of Hypertension, June 2013)
-----------------------------------

J Am Soc Hypertens. 2013 Jun 1. pii: S1933-1711(13)00085-5. doi: 10.1016/j.jash.2013.04.009. [Epub ahead of print]

Dietary potassium: a key mediator of the cardiovascular response to dietary sodium chloride.
Kanbay M, Bayram Y, Solak Y, Sanders PW.

Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine, Istanbul Medeniyet University School of Medicine, Istanbul, Turkey. Electronic address: drkanbay@yahoo.com.

Abstract
Potassium and sodium share a yin/yang relationship in the regulation of blood pressure (BP). BP is directly associated with the total body sodium and negatively correlated with the total body potassium. Epidemiologic, experimental, and clinical studies have shown that potassium is a significant regulator of BP and further improves cardiovascular outcomes. Hypertensive cardiovascular damage, stroke, and stroke-related death are accelerated by salt intake but might be curbed by increasing dietary potassium intake. The antihypertensive effect of potassium supplementation appears to occur through several mechanisms that include regulation of vascular sensitivity to catecholamines, promotion of natriuresis, limiting plasma renin activity, and improving endothelial function. In the absence of chronic kidney disease, the combined evidence suggests that a diet rich in potassium content serves a vasculoprotective function, particularly in the setting of salt-sensitive hypertension and prehypertension.

Copyright © 2013 American Society of Hypertension. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved
American 12 years ago

Sodium is Black people's kryptonite. For whatever reason, we are more sensitive to the negative effects of sodium, and less sensitive to the benefits of potassium that counteracts it. Since no study has indicated a tolerable ...
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Sodium is Black people's kryptonite. For whatever reason, we are more sensitive to the negative effects of sodium, and less sensitive to the benefits of potassium that counteracts it. Since no study has indicated a tolerable daily intake (I wonder why...), the best solution is simply to limit all consumption of Na.

Furthermore, iodized table salt used
at the dinner table is not the source of deadly Na excess. It's preserved, canned, and prepared food that
contains the toxic concentration. Unfortunately, prepared food is taking up an ever larger proportion of our diets worldwide.
seeMe 12 years ago

Who dosn't know this. Even the illitrate with HP knows s/he does not feel well having too much salt in his food.

Who dosn't know this. Even the illitrate with HP knows s/he does not feel well having too much salt in his food.
F. Opuni Frimpong 12 years ago

Not news

Not news
Ama Buoh 12 years ago

author of the article must be living in the stone age

author of the article must be living in the stone age
K K 12 years ago

Please this is NO news.

Please this is NO news.
LUKA DODO 12 years ago

Thank you for this information. God bless you, i hope to take this seriously.

Thank you for this information. God bless you, i hope to take this seriously.

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High salt intake linked to hypertension

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