garam copy copy

Questions and Answers

Dr Mike Smith is a well known Doctor and medical journalist. He gives the following answers to some of the questions put to him about salt.

Do we need salt in our diet at all?

Certainly. There’s no doubt about that. It’s composed of both sodium and chloride - main constituents of the tissue fluid in which every cell in the body is bathed and nurtured. This transports the vital oxygen and nutrients from the blood-stream to feed the cells. Also, our bodies use the sodium particles as though they were very small ‘sponges’. They attract water to themselves and so make sure that the tissues don’t get too dry.

Should most people try to cut down their salt intake?

Yes - I think so. Why take a risk by eating an excess of salt when the body does not need it and when reducing will certainly do you no harm?

The leading salt alternative, NaTrislim , contains 66.6% (two thirds) potassium chloride. Is taking potassium in this way all right?

In general, yes. Using a product such as NaTrislim, will heavily outweigh any disadvantages. The rare few for whom an increased intake of potassium wouldn’t be wise, are those whose kidneys are not functioning normally - and so can’t dispose of the excess. The majority of such sufferers will know this, having been

told so by their doctor or dietitian, and been advised about the type of diet appropriate for them. And this goes for very young babies too. Likewise, those with such uncommon kidney problems, will be advised to restrict their intake of certain, otherwise nutritious, fruits known to be rich in potassium - bananas and avocado pears, for example. But for everyone else - that is, most of the population - two large bananas a day contains as much potassium as a day’s average consumption of NaTrislim. Neither can I remember anyone suggesting that they had been harmed by eating 2 bananas a day - quite the reverse! And just as many specialists believe that sodium intake should be reduced for someone with raised blood pressure, it is likely that an increase in the daily intake of potassium has a blood pressure lowering effect - so that’s another potential bonus for NaTrislim.

What is high blood pressure?

A doctor will diagnose high blood pressure when the reading taken is permanently higher than average. The upper limit of normal is about 140 over 90. These two figures are pressure measurements within the main arteries supplying blood to the body taken when the heart is pumping or contracting (the systolic pressure or higher reading) and when the heart is refilling with blood (the diastolic pressure or lowing reading). If they remain permanently high, the body’s organs and tissues can show greater signs of wear and tear over the years and, for example, give rise to a stroke or heart disease. Diet and exercise alone can reduce a raised blood pressure. Whether treatment with medicines is given depends upon the level of blood pressure and the patients age.

Which groups or types are most at risk from taking too much salt?

Blood Pressure sufferers especially. It is recommended that they reduce their salt

intake and for others, this is probably a good thing to do as well. At 60 years old, three in every ten will have raised blood pressure. At 70, there are more - two in every five. When such a person restricts their salt intake, their blood pressure falls, sometimes enough to avoid the need for blood-pressure lowering medicines altogether. And in this group, there is likely to be a more marked rise in blood pressure when excess salt is eaten, then can be seen in the average fit individual. And it may be possible that eating too much sodium throughout life is one of the reasons why, in developed countries especially, people suffer from raised blood pressure at all. It is uncommon to find raised blood pressure in the populations of developing countries where sodium intakes are often lower than in developed countries.

Do women benefit as much as men from reducing their salt intake?

In some ways women may benefit even more than men. A high salt intake causes the body to temporarily retain fluid and in women who suffer from pre-menstrual swelling, or swelling unrelated to the menstrual cycle, the symptoms could be relieved by reducing salt intake. Some research suggests that increasing potassium intake may also help to get rid of some sodium - providing another bonus.

Is taking too much salt bad for everyone?

In my opinion, yes. In a developed country like Britain , one in every ten people has abnormally high blood pressure - hypertension, and the higher the blood pressure, the more likely is it that a blood vessel can burst under the strain. Should that occur in the brain it’s called a stroke - which can cause paralysis of movement or of the senses or, when even more severe, a tragedy. Now eating too much sodium could be keeping everybody’s blood pressure a little higher than it need be. And while for somebody with normal blood pressure, this slight and temporary rise may not be too much of an extra risk, the excess sodium could be a contributory cause of permanently raised blood pressure - the hypertension already mentioned - even for them. However, for someone with established hypertension, eating too much sodium could be the last straw and a stroke could follow. Also there are many people who have hypertension but are not aware of it - so they are at greater risk as well. People with raised blood pressure are also very much more likely to develop various types of heart problems (cardiovascular disease) resulting in restricted lifestyles and in more acute cases - death. It is important therefore to look at all the ways of keeping blood pressure down and reducing salt intake is certainly worth trying.

Dr Mike Smith says -
"If you are on a medically advised sodium (salt) restricted diet, then you must ask your doctor how and if you should use NaTrislim . If you are in normal health, try to do without salt in cooking and at the table but if you feel you really need a salty flavour for some foods, then use NaTrislim ."

Where does a product such as NaTrislim fit in?

NaTrislim can be used in cooking and at the table. NaTrislim is best used by people who have already substantially reduced the amount of salt they add at the table and in cooking. Then, instead of using common salt for the foods they find unappetising without a salty flavour, they use NaTrislim. Some people just find it too much of a battle to cut down on salt. For them, using NaTrislim gives the flavour of common salt in cooing and at the table - but reduces the sodium intake by a

healthy 66,6% - (2/3). For those who feel they just can not reduce their salt consumption, it is probably better to use NaTrislim as long as they also try to find and become used to lower-salted, process and convenience foods.

How can we cut down on our salt (sodium) intake?

When buying processed and convenience foods check the label to see if salt is present. The higher up the ingredient list it comes the more there is in the product

When you taste these foods ask yourself - Does this taste salty? If you think it does then look for other brands the next time you shop. Look for products marked “low in salt” or “no salt added” and try them. The easiest salt intake to control is that which we added ourselves. The simple rules are - Do not add salt when cooking. Add salt at the table only after tasting, if at all.

Is sea salt lower in sodium than common salt?

No - not really - sea salt is sodium chloride crystallised from the sea rather than mined from the ground but it is basically sodium chloride with only minimum traces of other minerals in it.