The first report of a relationship between salt and high blood pressure came about in 1904. Two researchers, Ambard and Beujard, reported that salt deprivation was associated with lowered blood pressure in hypertensive patients [1]. Over the next 50 years, various animal models were examined to support the hypothesis of salt causing high blood pressure. In almost all of these studies, huge amounts of salt (only in the form of refined salt-sodium chloride) were given to the animals to induce a significant hypertensive effect. The usual intake of salt was 10-20 times greater than the recommended dosages for these animals. Due to the high amounts of salt given to these animals, the correlation to a human population should have been suspect. Furthermore, these studies were not done with unrefined salt and its full complement of minerals.
From 1966-2011, two authors summarized the findings of 57 trials of people (mostly Caucasians) with normal blood pressure. Low-sodium diets resulted in a very slight decline of systolic blood pressure by 1.27mm Hg and diastolic blood pressure by 0.54mm Hg as compared to a high-sodium diet [2].
In eight trials of blacks, with normal or elevated blood pressure, low sodium intake reduced systolic blood pressure by 6.44mm Hg and diastolic blood pressure by 1.98mm Hg as compared to a high sodium intake. Interestingly, the authors found that there was a significant increase in cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, and triglycerides as well as the hormones rennin, aldosterone, and noradrenaline in the low-sodium diet as compared to the high-sodium diet [3]. These elevated hormones can cause an increase in cardiovascular events. The elevated hormones are the body’s attempt to try to hold onto the little salt that is present in the diet.
A low-salt diet has been promoted as healthier for not only blood pressure but for cardiovascular events (i.e., stroke or heart attack). Eleven trials, which included follow-up from six months to seven years, were reviewed. Researchers found that there was no difference in deaths and cardiovascular events between the low-salt groups and the high-salt groups. Systolic and diastolic blood pressure declined in the low-salt group by only 1.1 and 0.6mm Hg. The authors of this review commented that the miniscule lowering of blood pressure with a low-salt diet did not result in any significant health benefit. They also state, “It is also very hard to keep on a low-salt diet.” [4]
Dr Brownstein said: “My experience has clearly shown the fallacy of low-salt diets. For the great majority of people a low-salt diet does not work. Their energy level drops and they develop hormonal and immune system imbalances.”
Source: “Salt Your Way To Health”. Author: Dr. Brownstein
References:
1) Ambard, L. Causes de L’hypertensin anerielle. Arch. Gen. De Med. 1904:1:520-33
2) Jurgens, G., et al. Effects of low sodium diet versus high sodium diet on blood pressure, rennin, aldosterone, catecholamines, cholesterols and triglyceride. The Cochrane Database of Systemic Reviews. 2004, Issue 1. Art. No: CD004022.DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD004022.pub2
3) Jurgens, G. IBID. 2004.
4) Hooper, L., et al. Advice to reduce dietary salt for prevention of cardiovascular disease. The Cochrane Database of Systemic Reviews, 2004.Issue 1. Art. No: CD003556. DOI:10.1002/1461858.CD003656.pub.2
From 1966-2011, two authors summarized the findings of 57 trials of people (mostly Caucasians) with normal blood pressure. Low-sodium diets resulted in a very slight decline of systolic blood pressure by 1.27mm Hg and diastolic blood pressure by 0.54mm Hg as compared to a high-sodium diet [2].
In eight trials of blacks, with normal or elevated blood pressure, low sodium intake reduced systolic blood pressure by 6.44mm Hg and diastolic blood pressure by 1.98mm Hg as compared to a high sodium intake. Interestingly, the authors found that there was a significant increase in cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, and triglycerides as well as the hormones rennin, aldosterone, and noradrenaline in the low-sodium diet as compared to the high-sodium diet [3]. These elevated hormones can cause an increase in cardiovascular events. The elevated hormones are the body’s attempt to try to hold onto the little salt that is present in the diet.
A low-salt diet has been promoted as healthier for not only blood pressure but for cardiovascular events (i.e., stroke or heart attack). Eleven trials, which included follow-up from six months to seven years, were reviewed. Researchers found that there was no difference in deaths and cardiovascular events between the low-salt groups and the high-salt groups. Systolic and diastolic blood pressure declined in the low-salt group by only 1.1 and 0.6mm Hg. The authors of this review commented that the miniscule lowering of blood pressure with a low-salt diet did not result in any significant health benefit. They also state, “It is also very hard to keep on a low-salt diet.” [4]
Dr Brownstein said: “My experience has clearly shown the fallacy of low-salt diets. For the great majority of people a low-salt diet does not work. Their energy level drops and they develop hormonal and immune system imbalances.”
Source: “Salt Your Way To Health”. Author: Dr. Brownstein
References:
1) Ambard, L. Causes de L’hypertensin anerielle. Arch. Gen. De Med. 1904:1:520-33
2) Jurgens, G., et al. Effects of low sodium diet versus high sodium diet on blood pressure, rennin, aldosterone, catecholamines, cholesterols and triglyceride. The Cochrane Database of Systemic Reviews. 2004, Issue 1. Art. No: CD004022.DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD004022.pub2
3) Jurgens, G. IBID. 2004.
4) Hooper, L., et al. Advice to reduce dietary salt for prevention of cardiovascular disease. The Cochrane Database of Systemic Reviews, 2004.Issue 1. Art. No: CD003556. DOI:10.1002/1461858.CD003656.pub.2