What if the dogma of a low-salt diet is false?

What if the dogma of a low-salt diet is false?

While many well-intentioned authorities have focused primarily on the relationship between salt intake and blood pressure, they have largely overlooked the unintended consequences of insufficient salt intake. Salt deficiency is far from harmless. This is what Dr. James DiNicolantonio (author of The Salt Fix, ¹ which reviewed over five hundred publications to elucidate the impact of salt on blood pressure and heart disease) concluded; according to him, the vast majority of people do not need to monitor their salt intake… and indeed, for most, more salt would be nutritionally beneficial. To maintain good health, sodium intake would be about 3 to 4 grams per day for most people. However, the optimal amount of salt can vary considerably from person to person, depending on your particular situation. *

Also, a Canadian study titled “Population Risks of Excess Dietary Salt Are Exaggerated” mentioned in 2014 that political positions on salt consumption (based largely on the association of sodium and blood pressure) have remained unchanged since the 1970s, until recently. However, this is beginning to change as new evidence emerges. Population-wide sodium reduction is not warranted in countries like Canada. ²

Why add salt to your diet?

According to Dr. James DiNicolantonio, eating the salt you desire can improve everything from sleep, energy, mental focus, fitness, fertility, and sexual performance, and can even prevent common chronic diseases, including heart disease.

Good or bad salt?

Dr. Guillaume Barcuq, a general practitioner who favors a preventive approach, explains in an article that not all salts are equal. There is good salt and "bad" salt. ³

Here is his explanation of the difference between industrial salt and natural salt:

"Industrial salt is the refined salt found in processed foods and table salt. This refined salt, very fine and white in color, is composed of more than 95% sodium chloride. This salt contains additives such as sodium aluminosilicate (anti-caking agents E 544 containing aluminum), and is enriched with iodine and fluoride.

Refined table salt is often preferred by consumers for its fineness, whiteness, and texture. It is generally less expensive but has the disadvantage of containing far too much sodium, to the detriment of other minerals. Consumers would be better off choosing a less white and coarser salt, such as natural salt.

Natural salt is unrefined salt that has retained all of its natural mineral content and nutritional qualities. It does not undergo any processing or additives. It is the product of sustainable agriculture.

Sea salt is the best example. It is obtained by evaporating seawater in shallow basins: the ideal weather is sunny, dry, and windy to facilitate the crystallization of the salt and its evaporation. Sea salt is thus harvested in salt marshes.

There are various natural salts rich in mineral salts and trace elements, such as Himalayan pink salt.

Signs of a Salt Deficiency, According to Dr. James DiNicolantonio

• Accelerated heart rate
• Dehydration (which allows the sugar consumed to do more damage to the kidneys)
• Cognitive disorders
• Bone fractures
• Foodborne illnesses (because salt inhibits the growth of bacteria in food)
• Impaired circulation of oxygen and nutrients in tissues, and even premature death.
• May prevent the body from activating fight-or-flight responses to cope with physiologically stressful situations such as gastrointestinal infections, blood loss, stroke, or myocardial infarction.
• Insufficient salt consumption can promote sugar addiction and even make you vulnerable to drug addiction by sensitizing dopamine receptors in the brain.

Need more salt to avoid dehydration - Symptoms that may indicate increased salt needs

• Cold Extremities
• Dark urine
• Decreased skin turgor (skin remains “tight” when pinched)
• Decreased urinary sodium excretion relative to intake
• Decreased urine output
• Dry armpit and tongue
• Poor capillary refill (it takes more than 2 seconds for the nail bed to change from white to pink after being pinched)
• Postural tachycardia/dizziness/hyposensitivity (occurs after getting up from a sitting or reclining position)
• Syncope (loss of consciousness due to low blood pressure)
• Thirsty

Here are Dr. James DiNicolantonio's specific recommendations for salt intake before and during exercise:

• Exercising in moderate climates (below 80 ^° F) - Consume 1/2 teaspoon of salt before exercise and every hour thereafter.
• Exercising in hot climates (80 ^° F to 89 ^° F) - Consume 1/2 to 1 teaspoon of salt before exercise and every hour thereafter.
• Exercising in very hot climates (90 ^° F or above) - Consume 1 to 2 teaspoons of salt before exercise and every hour thereafter.

Salt Summary in Live Chat with a Health Specialist

Is salt good?

Salt is vital. If we lack sodium and/or chloride (table salt: sodium chloride), we will become ill or even die. The body absolutely needs it. ⁴ It does not cause heart disease.

Some people with high blood pressure may be sensitive to salt.

For hypotension : salt should be added in generous quantities.

What should the global population's salt intake be? It's around 8 to 10 grams of sodium (4 times higher than the intake recommended by Health Canada).

Link between headaches and salt deficiency : taking salt helps.

Why iodized salt : because most of us are iodine deficient.

Live from May 19, 2022 - 51:50 - Salt: myths surrounding its consumption; discussion around myths related to food and why they persist over time.

Live from April 22, 2022 - 33:15 - Importance of salt: a necessity

Live January 21, 2021 - 45:00 - Fatigue - Salt (culprit?) Hypertension - Hypotension, iodine for whom? Lack of salt (symptoms: fatigue, headache, muscle cramps). One option: iodized salt

Live February 25, 2021 - 12:10 PM - Salt - Details on requirements. Electrolytes for cell exchange.

Live May 21, 2021 - 39:05 - Salt: how much, why and which one to take?

References:

1. James Dinicolantonio. The Salt Fix, Harmony books. August 4th, 2020. ISBN: 9780451496966 (0451496965)

2. Mente A, O'Donnell MJ, Yusuf S. The population risks of dietary salt excess are exaggerated. Can J Cardiol. 2014 May;30(5):507-12. doi: 10.1016/j.cjca.2014.02.003. Epub 2014 Feb 13. PMID: 24786440.

3. https://www.guillaume-barucq.com/consommation-de-sel-et-sante/#:~:text=Le%20sel%20extrait%20de%20l,qu'en%20oligo%2D%C3%A9l%C3%A9lements.

4. Mente A, O'Donnell M, Yusuf S. Sodium Intake and Health: What Should We Recommend Based on the Current Evidence? Nutrients. 2021 Sep 16;13(9):3232. doi:10.3390/nu13093232. PMID: 34579105; PMCID: PMC8468043.

Maison Jacynthe disclaims all liability. All information contained in this article is not intended to replace justified allopathic treatment or disregard the expertise of the medical profession. It is up to each individual to take charge of their own health, to inform themselves, and to make the necessary changes to improve their condition. Therapeutic supervision by a qualified healthcare professional is strongly recommended.