Reducing Salt Intake May Cause High Blood Pressure

Of Spice and Men

Salt Suits The sodium-phobes are at it again. Despite the fact that eliminating or dramatically reducing salt intake can actually CAUSE high blood pressure... And also despite the fact that research shows that dietary sodium only causes elevated BP in salt-sensitive people - between 5-16% of the population according to some recent European research (see Daily Dose 8/8/2003 for details)... A radical faction of the food fringe is clamoring for FEDERAL REGULATION of the seasoning. According to a recent Associated Press article, a group called the Center for Science in Public Interest is actually suing the government in federal court to force them to re-classify salt as a "food additive," opening the door for all sorts of new controls - like warning labels, disclosures on restaurant menus, and even special taxes on so-called "salty" foods. According to the piece, this latest suit is merely an extension of the group's campaign against sodium, which began with a similar lawsuit on 1983. That suit was dismissed. This new, nearly identical suit, was filed in D.C.'s United States Court of Appeals, charging that the government hasn't done enough to reduce the public's salt consumption. Not done enough, huh? Hmmm... Didn't they start requiring the sodium content of all foods be listed on a master Nutrition Information Label? How about approving umpteen new BP drugs, some of them quite risky? What about repeatedly lowering the standards for "high" blood pressure (right now, the threshold hovers at 115/75 - considered borderline TOO LOW just 5 or so years ago)? Apparently, these measures aren't enough to the CSPI. They want to establish a "salt police" and tax it out of existence. I guess they've just never bothered to learn enough about salt to realize that it's an ABSOLUTELY ESSENTIAL nutrient that we can't live without. A diet without salt in it is a one-way ticket to the morgue - especially if you're one of those poor souls who buys into the mainstream's hype about swilling glass after glass of water every day! And speaking of salt, water, and death... **************************************************** Murder Weapon: H20 Every year, I write to you about hyponatremia (water intoxication). Every year, a certain number of people - usually marathon runners - die of this condition. Hyponatremia is caused by excess water in the body, which causes a drop in levels of blood-borne sodium. This plummeting sodium allows water to be absorbed directly by the blood, which causes swelling of the brain from fluid build-up. It's often fatal. Although no one deserves to die of ignorance, at least marathoners brought their fate on themselves - they're usually health nuts who likely avoid salt like the plague, and belt gallon after gallon of water in the course of strenuous exertion. Even the most misguided of mainstream MDs will tell you this kind of behavior is asking for it... But it seems like also every year, some die of hyponatremia who DON'T bring it on themselves: Fraternity pledges. Bullied by their "Big Brothers" into hazing rituals involving drinking massive quantities of water in short periods of time, some of these poor kids end up dead. And just a few weeks ago, it happened again - this time at California State University at Chico. According to numerous reports, a young man pledging for the Chi Tau fraternity at the legendary party school was forced to drink five gallons of water, then perform exercises in a basement with air conditioners blowing on him full blast. Needless to say, he collapsed and died. The autopsy showed hyponatremia as the cause of death. So far, no charges have been filed in the death. But if you ask me, it should be classified as a homicide, no question about it. The real pity of the matter - besides a young man's needless death, of course - is that the incident will end up as nothing more than a footnote on the national health scene, a "odd and unusual" sound-bite on the evening news... And it'll happen again. And again. And again. Worth my salt - but not holding my water, William Campbell Douglass II, MD

 

 

 

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