The salt conspiracy
Jason Derbershire
Recently, a prominent medical study from Boston, MA concluded that sodium intake did not have an adverse effect on blood pressure. Just the opposite, the study concluded that those who consumed little sodium or avoided sodium entirely had higher blood pressure. Earlier this year, a prominent medical study from England demonstrated that sugar had an adverse effect on blood pressure. The study followed those who consumed large amounts of sugar: sugary drinks, fruit juice, sweets and confections. The study showed that those who consumed more sugar had higher blood pressure.
The results of these studies are not surprising at all. Common table salt contains iodine, a trace mineral that is vital for regular thyroid function. Thyroid imbalance leads to hormonal imbalance and weight gain, which is a leading cause of high blood pressure. Those who consumed little or no sodium deprived themselves of iodine while those who consumed moderate to large amounts of sodium did not. Similarly consuming large amounts of sugar also contributes to weight gain.
Risk factors for high blood pressure include lifestyle, weight and genetic disposition. Many people of African American heritage and Jewish Ashkenazic descent are genetically pre disposed to high blood pressure despite their sodium intake, whereas, Southeast Asians, who consume a diet high in sodium do not have high blood pressure. Many women who give birth a pre-disposed to high blood pressure despite their sodium intake. Moreover, recent medical studies suggest that blood pressure is not a condition rather a symptom, a clue that the heart is working harder to pump the blood.
Other factors to consider are a person's lifestyle: do they eat a balanced diet including potassium rich fruits and vegetables. Potassium rich foods, in moderation because too much potassium is harmful, are shown to decrease blood pressure. Do they limit intake of red meat and saturated fats, which clog the arteries, causing a rise in blood pressure because the heart must work harder to push the blood through clogged arteries? Do they get enough exercise?
So, go ahead and indulge in your potato chips and pretzels, but please, in moderation. Both of these are high in starch, which metabolizes to sugar, which was recently shown to increase blood pressure. Potato chips have a lot of fat which could contribute to arthrosclerosis. Additionally, avoid those that list sea salt in the ingredients. Sea salt, a natural alternative to common table salt, is derived from purified salt water. In order to preserve its natural quality, most sea salt does not have iodine added to it. Table salt, on the other hand, is chemically produced or comes from salt mines, most table salt has iodine added, but some does not. Read the label to be sure.