Reducing salt intake might be a good idea, but it may not matter since our bodies have irresistible physiologic mechanisms to defend a higher level of salt intake, according to a new report in the Clinical Journal of the American Society of Nephrology.

Another push to lower salt (actually, sodium) intake in the American public started a few years ago.  The idea is that sodium restriction will lower blood pressures, leading to fewer heart attacks and strokes.  That proposition itself is debatable.  The medical/nutrition community hotly debated it 20 years ago.  There are reasonable arguments on both sides.

The authors of the study at hand don’t address whether sodium restriction would be healthful.  They question whether any measures at the public health level can even work.  Their answer: probably not.

The Institute of Medicine in 2003 recommended 2,300 mg/day as the upper limit of dietary sodium.  The USDA’s 2005 Dietary Guidelines recommend 1,500 mg/day for people at risk of hypertension.

The authors conclude that the average person has powerful physiologic mechanisms working to keep sodium intake around 3,000 mg/day, at least. 

They studied the salt consumption of widespread, diverse populations, including those who were carefully instructed and motivated to reduce salt intake.  In this case, it seems you just can’t fight Mother Nature.

I think perhaps two of every 10 people may have blood pressures sensitive to salt intake.  Let’s try to identify and target them for intervention rather than attempting sweeping societal changes that affect us all.

If I had elevated blood pressures, I’d make an attempt to reduce my sodium intake over a two or three month trial and note the effect.  You can calculate and monitor your sodium intake with NutritionData’s "My ND/My Tracking" feature.  I’d also start exercising regularly and lose my excess body fat.

-Steve Parker, M.D.

Disclaimer:  All matters regarding your health require supervision by a personal physician or other appropriate health professional familiar with your current health status.  Always consult your personal physician before making any dietary or exercise changes.

References:  McCarron, David, et al.  Can dietary sodium intake be modified by public policy?  Clinical Journal of the American Society of Nephrology.  4 (2009): 1,878-1,882.

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