![]() ![]() Does Salt Really Cause Heart Disease? By Dr. Mercola. Salt has long been a treasured food staple. Far from being harmful, high- quality salt is actually essential for life, but in the United States and many other developed countries salt has been vilified as a primary cause of high blood pressure and heart disease. According to preliminary research presented at an American Heart Association meeting in New Orleans on March 2. This includes sodium intake from commercially available table salt and sodium found in processed foods and soy sauce.
According to the researchers, 4. Sixty percent of the deaths were in men; 4. To reach these conclusions, the researchers analyzed 2. Whether you're looking to train a new puppy, find the best toy for your cat or set up a tropical aquarium, eHow has answers to all of your pet-related questions. What is a low carb diet, really? When can a low carb diet be beneficial? Should everyone follow a low carb diet? Or, can a low carb diet ruin your health? Your skin care gets neglected while meeting the demands of work and family. Your daily schedule is grueling enough to drain you by the end of the day. From these, they tried to determine how the various salt intakes affected cardiovascular disease risks. The ideal salt intake was determined to be less than 1,0. Kazakhstan had the highest average salt intake at 6,0. Kenya and Malawi had the lowest average intake at about 2,0. Other salty regions included Central Asia, with an average of 5,5. Asia- Pacific area, averaging 5,0. East Asia at 4,8. According to the featured article: 2. In the U. S., the average intake was about 3,6. While the World Health Organization recommends sodium intake of fewer than 2,0. Salt is actually a nutritional goldmine, provided you consume the right kind, and maintain a proper salt- to- potassium ratio, which I'll discuss in a moment. Unfortunately, modern table salt has very little in common with natural, unrefined salt. Salt provides two elements – sodium and chloride – that are essential for life. Your body cannot make these elements on its own, so you must get them from your diet. Some of the many biological processes for which natural salt is crucial include: Being a major component of your blood plasma, lymphatic fluid, extracellular fluid, and even amniotic fluid. Carrying nutrients into and out of your cells, and helping maintain your acid- base balance. Increasing the glial cells in your brain, which are responsible for creative thinking and long- term planning. Both sodium and chloride are also necessary for the firing of neurons. Maintain and regulate blood pressure. Helping your brain communicate with your muscles, so that you can move on demand via sodium- potassium ion exchange. Supporting the function of your adrenal glands, which produce dozens of vital hormones. However, not all salts are created equal. Natural salt contains 8. Processed (table) salt, on the other hand, contains 9. These are dangerous chemicals like ferrocyanide and aluminosilicate. A small amount of iodine may also be added. Some European countries, where water fluoridation is not practiced, also add fluoride to their salt. In France for example, 3. South America. Besides these basic differences in nutritional content, the processing—which involve drying the salt above 1,2. Fahrenheit—also radically alters the chemical structure of the salt. So, while you definitely need salt for optimal health, not just any salt will do. What your body needs is natural, unprocessed salt, without added chemicals. Does Salt Really Cause Heart Disease? Overindulgence in the typically used commercially processed table salt can lead to fluid retention, high blood pressure, swelling of your limbs, and shortness of breath. In the long term, it is thought to contribute to high blood pressure, kidney and heart disease, heart attacks, and heart failure. However, compelling evidence suggests that while processed salt can indeed cause fluid retention and related health problems, numerous studies have, overall, refuted the salt- heart disease connection. For example, a 2. NO strong evidence that cutting salt intake reduces the risk for heart attacks, strokes or death. In fact, salt restriction actually increased the risk of death in those with heart failure. Similarly, research published in the Journal of the American Medical Association that same year revealed that the less sodium excreted in your urine (a marker of salt consumption), the greater the risk of dying from heart disease. This study followed 3,6. Europeans for eight years. The participants were divided into three groups: low salt, moderate salt, and high salt consumption. Researchers tracked mortality rates for the three groups, with the following results: Low- salt group: 5. Moderate salt group: 2. High- salt group: 1. The risk for heart disease was 5. Some studies have shown a modest benefit to salt restriction among some people with high blood pressure, but the evidence does not extend to the rest of the population. So what's really going on? Well, there are at least three factors that need to be taken into consideration. First, an ingredient that contributes to high blood pressure and heart disease across the board is fructose, and since so much of salt intake comes from processed foods, it's easy to see how the lines of causation may get blurred. Virtually all processed foods are high not just in sodium, but also fructose, particularly in processed foods sold in the US. Another factor is that there's a huge difference between natural salt and the processed salt added to processed foods and salt shakers in most homes and restaurants. The former is essential for good health, whereas the latter is best avoided altogether. A third factor that can have a significant impact on whether salt will harm or aid your health is the ratio between the salt and potassium in your diet. That said, it's clear that many are consuming far too much processed table salt and not enough natural salt. According to the featured article, nearly 7. Some toddler fare contains as much as 6. American Heart Association for adults. Lead researcher Dariush Mozaffarian, MD, MPH told Med. Page. Today: 6. If voluntary agreements are not enough, taxation or restrictions on amounts of sodium should be implemented.'. Imbalance in this ratio can not only lead to hypertension (high blood pressure) but also contribute to a number of other diseases, including those highlighted in the featured research, along with a few others: Heart disease and stroke Memory decline Osteoporosis Ulcers and stomach cancer Kidney stones Cataracts Erectile dysfunction Rheumatoid arthritis The easiest way to achieve this imbalance is by consuming a diet of processed foods, which are notoriously low in potassium while high in sodium. It's possible that potassium deficiency may be more responsible for hypertension than excess sodium. Potassium deficiency leads to electrolyte imbalance, and can result in a condition called hypokalemia. Symptoms include: Water retention Raised blood pressure and hypertension Heart irregularities/arrhythmias Muscular weakness and muscle cramps Continual thirst and constipation According to a 1. The New England Journal of Medicine, titled . This equates to nearly 1. Compare that to the Standard American Diet where daily potassium consumption averages about 2,5. RDA is 4,7. 00 mg/day), along with 3,6. As mentioned earlier, if you eat a diet of processed foods, you can be virtually guaranteed that your potassium- sodium ratio is upside- down. This may also explain why high- sodium diets appear to affect some people but not others. According to a 2. The research, published in the Archives of Internal Medicine,8 was one of the first and largest US studies to evaluate the relationship of salt, potassium and heart disease deaths. Elena Kuklina, one of the lead authors of the study at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), potassium may neutralize the heart- damaging effects of salt. Tellingly, those who ate a lot of salt and very little potassium were more than twice as likely to die from a heart attack as those who ate about equal amounts of both nutrients. How Can You Ensure Proper Sodium- to- Potassium Ratio? So, how do you ensure you get these two important nutrients in more appropriate ratios? First, ditch all processed foods, which are very high in processed salt and low in potassium and other essential nutrients. Eat a diet of whole, unprocessed foods, ideally organically and locally- grown to ensure optimal nutrient content. This type of diet will naturally provide much larger amounts of potassium in relation to sodium. I do not recommend taking potassium supplements to correct a sodium- potassium imbalance. Instead, it is best to simply alter your diet and incorporate more potassium- rich whole foods. Green vegetable juicing is an excellent way to ensure you're getting enough nutrients for optimal health, including about 3. By removing the fiber you can consume even larger volumes of important naturally occurring potassium. Some additional rich sources in potassium are: Lima beans (9. Winter squash (8. Cooked spinach (8. Avocado (5. 00 mg per medium) Other potassium- rich fruits and vegetables include: Fruits: papayas, prunes, cantaloupe, and bananas. It is an old wives tale that you are getting loads of potassium from bananas, the potassium is twice as high in green vegetables) Vegetables: broccoli, Brussels sprouts, avocados, asparagus, and pumpkin Putting Salt Consumption into Proper Context. More than 8. 0 percent of the salt most people consume is from processed foods. Indeed, there is far too much sodium in processed foods. But you shouldn't be eating those foods anyway—sodium is just one of MANY ingredients in packaged foods that will adversely affect your health. The salt added to these convenience foods is bleached out, trace mineral deficient and mostly sodium—as opposed to natural salt, which is much lower in sodium and contains a myriad of other critical trace minerals. Himalayan salt, for example, contains about 8. Natural salt has flavor, over and above just salty taste. The more you can move toward a diet of whole organic foods in their natural state, the healthier you'll be—whether it's veggies, meat, dairy products, or salt. And increasing your vegetable intake will help insure you're getting the ideal ratio of sodium- to- potassium, which may be more crucial for overall health than we currently imagine. Diarrhea - Health. Natural Diarrhea Remedies, Treatment of Diarrhea, Causes of Diarrhea, Travelers Diarrhea. General Description. Diarrhea is characterized by frequent, watery bowel movements, often accompanied by stomach cramps, abdominal pain and gas. Diarrhea may be various colors and contain mucous, blood or pus. In general diarrhea is caused by a gastrointestinal problem, but may be a symptom of some underlying ailment such as: irritable bowel syndrome, diverticular disease, bowel cancer, celiac disease, pancreatitis, hyperthyroidism, Crohn's disease, dysentery, AIDS or ulcerative colitis, among others. It is important, therefore, to discover the cause of the diarrhea. Diarrhea is one of Nature's defense systems used to help rid the body of toxins and poisons as quickly as possible. It is important to know what diarrhea does to the body besides the obvious effects. The salivary glands in the mouth, the mucous membrane in your stomach, and the liver and pancreas produce saliva which is used in the digestive process to break down food. When diarrhea strikes the saliva is lost and the digestive process is interrupted. In addition, diarrhea depletes the body of important minerals, called electrolytes, needed for good health. They are: potassium, magnesium, chloride, sodium and calcium. Without these minerals you may feel weak, tired and depressed, have an abnormal heart rhythm, and become dehydrated. For these reasons it is important to drink plenty of fluids when you have a bout of diarrhea, especially those that can replenish your electrolyte balance. Your energy level will rebound quickly if you do. It is also important to eat a proper diet, as mentioned below, to regain proper digestion. An excellent source. Supplement CHARGE to your water. This. products ratio of trace minerals has been shown to create more electrolytes. It is inexpensive, charges 6. See. More on Supplement CHARGE by “Clicking Here”. Other nutrients, as well, pass through the intestines without being absorbed into your system. Dehydration may result and makes diarrhea in infants and the elderly especially dangerous and should be taken very seriously. Oral rehydration fluids are available at pharmacies and grocery stores. Give them all they want, as the body will tell them what it needs. Two of the leading brands are Pedialyte and Rehydralyte. Diarrhea caused by intestinal parasites is the third leading cause of illness. If you have a number of the following symptoms: gas, diarrhea, chronic constipation, bloating, fatigue, skin rashes, nail biting, mood swings, insomnia, dry skin, brittle hair, hair loss, weight gain, bad breath, and muscle cramping, you should be tested for parasites. Severe cases can lead to dehydration, so be sure to drink fluids and balance your electrolytes (take Pedialyte for young children and the elderly, and sports drinks for everybody else.). What effects the mind ends up effecting the sympathetic stomach. Take acidophilus or live culture yogurt while you are taking medication to help rebuild your intestinal flora. A probiotic remedy will be helpful. A good way to counteract diarrhea if you are taking large amounts of magnesium, is to supplement with acidophilus lactobacillus. And now to this list we are adding Splenda. Many low- carb foods are sweetened with lactitol or sorbitol, which are sugar alcohols, and, when, eaten in large quantities, can cause digestive disturbances. Once fructose consumption was curbed, the symptoms were significantly reduced. Fructose is found in many things, but especially as a sweetener for sodas. Fructose intolerance is rapidly rising due to the tremendous increase in soda consumption. Along these same lines is the magnesium in calcium/magnesium supplements that many women take for prevention of osteoporosis. Babies are especially susceptible to this problem because of the amount of residue compared to their body weight. Also, their intestinal tracts have not fully developed the digestive process. Be sure to thoroughly rinse all utensils and dishes, especially if you hand- wash them. Underlying Disease As A Causes. You may not be able to tolerate certain foods that contain gluten (wheat, oats, rye and barley). See celiac disease below. Proper testing will discover which one(s) you are allergic to. Eliminating the offending food may well stop the diarrhea. Have a blood test done or try an elimination diet to find out what is causing the diarrhea. This is a disease where the person is allergic to gluten, a protein substance found in wheat, barley, oats and rye and, therefore, in a wide variety of foods. Many individuals with celiac disease are deficient in vitamin B- 6 and magnesium. Magnesium is necessary to utilize vitamin B- 6. Your doctor can test for gluten intolerance. You and your healthcare practitioner will have to correct the digestion problem or discover the source of your allergy in order to stop the diarrhea. Many traditional doctors try to stop the diarrhea before it has done its job, and some of the remedies they use, such as the drug calomel, as well as castor oil, leave the patient constipated afterward. Over- the- counter remedies to stop diarrhea are not recommended. Let Nature take her course and rid the body of the toxins that caused the problem; many doctors recommend doing nothing for 6 to 1. However, if the diarrhea persists for two or three days, looks like black tar or there is blood in the stool, or if you have a fever, see your doctor. If persistent, this type of diarrhea may be caused by parasites and should be treated by a doctor. See Remedies section below. Remedies. Folk. Acidophilus Take acidophilus with meals whenever you feel sanitation or water supply may be questionable. This will help build up the . Either a tablespoon of liquid or one to two capsules should do the trick. One good product is called Culturelle (a probiotic formula). Apple cider vinegar For a preventive measure start taking a teaspoon of vinegar and a teaspoon of honey in a glass of water half an hour before each meal a few days before your trip. Continue this regimen during your trip. Bismuth Subsalicylate The active ingredient found in Pepto- Bismol, bismuth subsalicylate, can be taken either after an attack or as a preventive measure. Be careful if you take aspirin regularly as Pepto- Bismol contains salicylates, which added to that in the aspirin may cause symptoms such as ringing in the ears (tinnitus). Grapefruit seed extract Another good preventive or treatment remedy for traveler's diarrhea is grapefruit seed extract. This extract is a powerful all- around antimicrobial product and is an excellent disinfectant. This extract is very bitter, so use tablets or capsules (take 3 capsules daily) instead of the liquid. If you do use the liquid, use five drops in a glass of water. Another helpful product to carry with you is activated charcoal which is explained in more detail below. Lemon juice Drinking the juice of a freshly squeezed lemon in a large glass of water three to five times a day will kill off the pathogens causing the diarrhea. For prevention in case there is a stomach virus going around, take 1- 2 tablespoons of juice before meals. Loperamide hydrochloride For severe cases of diarrhea, Loperamide hydrochloride (the active ingredient of Imodium A- D) can be very helpful. Powdered cow's milk carries antibodies of the E. Check with your health food store. Wine Red or white wine (6 ounces is enough) contain polyphenols, an antibacterial agent. Children & Diarrhea. Children with diarrhea should eat foods high in complex carbohydrates, such as bananas, crackers, noodles, oatmeal, potatoes, rice, toast, and soups with rice or noodles. Dairy products and foods high in sugar or fat should be avoided. Wellness Program. Let the diarrhea run its course for 6- 1. Drink plenty of fluids, especially those that replenish your electrolytes (minerals), such as sports drinks and fresh juices. Avoid caffeinated or carbonated drinks. This is especially true after taking antibiotics which will have killed all the good bacteria in your intestines. Eating yogurt (with acidophilus) or taking acidophilus tablets or a good probiotic will restore your intestinal flora. Enhance the good bacteria by adding FOS supplements. FOS is a soluble fiber found in fruits and vegetables, and can be taken as a supplement. It will have acidophilus as well as other needed bacteria. Begin with easy to digest foods, and take it easy for a few days so your system can get back to normal. They are too hard to digest. You need to give your digestive system a rest. Your digestive system is already fighting the cause of the diarrhea and can't easily digest other foods. Start with a BRAT diet - bananas, rice (or rice cereal with skim milk), apples (or applesauce) and toast (or tea). Potatoes and applesauce are also good. Rebuilt your intestinal flora by eating yogurt (with live cultures) or taking six to 1. This won't work until you have stopped taking the antibiotics. Add FOS to this regimen, as mentioned above under . Ripe bananas are recommended. Bananas are especially good as they are easily digested and have pectin and important nutrients such as potassium and magnesium. Pectin, a water- soluble fiber which can bind bile acids and cholesterol in the intestines, is found in many fruits, vegetables and seeds. Kaopectate, the over- the- counter antidiarrheal remedy, contains pectin. For proper digestion, chew the banana well and eat slowly. In addition, avoid raw vegetables, sweets, cooked cabbage and any other kind of food that may cause fermentation and flatulence. Eat raw rolled oats and chew them well to get the saliva going. Don't eat fruit and vegetables at the same meal. Chew everything thoroughly to get the digestive enzymes going again. Bananas are one good source of fiber and potassium. Don't take fiber if you are vomiting and having diarrhea at the same time. See your doctor before using a home remedy. FOS is a soluble fiber found in fruits and vegetables, and can be taken as a supplement.
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