Salt and Heart Risks: 2015 Study Says Not!

In the salt and heart risks study titled: Health ABC study (Dietary Sodium Content, Mortality, and Risk for Cardiovascular Events in Older Adults: The Health, Aging, and Body Composition Study) it was found that increased salt and health risks were not associated with increased salt. Sodium and Risk of Death

Salt and Heart Risks: The Health ABC Study Results

The Great Salt Shake Up Continues

Yet another study is questioning the thinking that salt has an effect on heart disease. This study looks at older adults.

The JAMA Internal Medicine study looked at 2,642 people who were around their mid 70's and free of heart disease. They were followed for 10 years.

In the study, questionnaires were used to estimate sodium intake. While this may produce less than desirable accuracy, there is an interesting consideration. Any time there is self reporting, there is a risk of bias and variable error. In bias results, people tends to make themselves look better than they are. The risk in salt intake bias, people under reporting. Hypothetically, people could have reported taking in less salt than they did.

The ranges of salt are from 1,500 mg a day and more than 2,300 mg per day which is about a teaspoon.

The results: More salt did not make a difference. It did not increase the risk of heart disease related disease.

Over a range of sodium intake from less than 1,500 milligrams a day to more than 2,300 (about a teaspoon), there was no significant difference in risk for cardiovascular disease, heart failure or death.

Healthcare has various recommendations for sodium intake. On the low end, no more than 1,500 milligrams a day for people older than 51. In Japan, the intake is much higher and they have less heart disease than the US.

At WaterCures.org, we are constantly hearing of people increasing their use of unprocessed salt to lower high blood pressure. How could this be when you constantly hear increased sodium results in increased blood pressure?

Salt & Heart Risks: Reasons for High Blood Pressure

1) Table salt can be toxic. Instead, switch to unprocessed salt. If you drink enough water, it will be even better. We are seeing a lowering of blood pressure with unprocessed sea salt. One study found unprocessed salt lowered blood pressure even without drinking water (unlike table salt.)

2) We encourage increasing water intake. Healthcare only encourages decreasing salt. We need both.

3) Nuance Reasons: While a very few people genetically need less salt, some need more salt. There are thousands of nuance reasons why we need more or less of anything. The bottom line, most people benefit from an increase in salt and an increase in fresh water.

4)Not Enough Potassium & Magnesium / Too Much Sugar>

5) Blood Pressure Medications Can lead to heart attacks after years of use, making salt even more of a problem.

6) Studies show that if you cut back on sugar, you could reduce high blood pressure. There are a number of research studies that confirm eating too much sugar will increase your risk of developing heart disease, even more so than cholesterol. The biggest risk, sugar causes high blood pressure.

The Current Recommendations:

United States Department of Agriculture (USDA): 2300 mg.

American Heart Association (AHA): 1500 mg

Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (AND): 1500 to 2300 mg

American Diabetes Association (ADA): 1500 to 2300 mg

Why More Is Better?

Note we are not recommending more salt. We are recommending more water and unprocessed salt in proportion to what our bodies need.

How Much Salt We Need

Low Salt Heart Attack Risk

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