New Delhi: In a renewed effort to reduce sodium intake, who has recommended that people consider replacing regular table salt with lower sodium salt substitutes (LSS).
LSSS refers to the salt form in which a certain percentage of sodium chloride is replaced with another mineral, more commonly potassium chloride. The use of LSSS compared to regular salt is related to the reduction of heart attack and the risk of stroke, who said.
The WHO, in 2012, had issued an orientation document that was later adopted by the Member States, including India, which established a global objective to reduce the average population intake of the population by 30% by 2030. But the current trends They suggest slow progress, so this new strategy occurred to promote LSS, in addition to encouraging member states to reduce the general sodium intake.
It is sold by different brands in India and has 15 to 30% less sodium. However, its absorption is very low due to greater cost and low consciousness. The salt of the pink Himalayas, the black salt and the sea salt, which are growing in popularity, do not fall in this category.
The WHO recommendation is based on findings of 26 random controlled tests in adults in which the assignment to LSS compared to regular salt resulted in blood pressure for 56 days to five years of follow -up. The LSSS is not only low in sodium, but also contains potassium that is associated with lower blood pressure levels.
However, who warns, high levels of potassium can be harmful to those with a deteriorated renal function because their kidneys may not be able to excrete minerals that lead to hypercalemia, a condition that affects heart function and can be potentially deadly. The WHO guide on LSS, therefore, is not applicable for people with renal impediments or with other circumstances or conditions that could compromise potassium excretion. As there is not enough evidence of the benefits of replacing regular table salt with LSS in pregnant children and women, these two categories have also remained outside the scope of the WHO recommendation.
Dr. Mohit Gupta, a cardiology professor at the GB Pant Hospital in Delhi, said that changing low sodium salt substitutes can be beneficial for most people in reducing sodium intake and pressure reduction arterial, thus reducing the risk of cardiovascular diseases.
Dr. Kameshwar Prasad, head of Neurology of Fortis Healthcare and Dr. Kunal Gandhi, senior consultant, nephrology at the Amrita Faridabad hospital, on the other hand, suggested that it may be better to encourage salt reduction instead of promoting LSS.