Switch from processed table salt to a salt substitute or Himalayan salt for better health.

A study from China shows how important potassium is for cardiovascular health. Over 21,000 Chinese took part in a clinical trial to determine the benefits of adding potassium to the daily diet. The results show that adding potassium to the diet could save over one million lives annually in China!

Background

https://www.newsmax.com/health/health-news/cardiovascular-disease-salt-potassium-stroke/2021/08/31/id/1034450/. Medical scientists have told us for years that too much sodium can increase the risk of heart-related diseases. https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMe2112857.
Salt is 100% NaCl (sodium chloride). The Chinese study used a salt substitute with 75% NaCl and 25% KCl (potassium chloride). Lowering sodium is one option doctors used to lower blood pressure.

Clinical Trial

https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa2105675?query=featured_home&utm_source=STAT+Newsletters&utm_campaign=cd8937e175-MR_COPY_02&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_8cab1d7961-cd8937e175-150427381. Increasing the potassium levels and reducing the sodium levels at the same time showed that the risk of stroke is lowered by almost 15% and other adverse cardiovascular risks lowered by nearly that same amount.

Scientists noted that this is a simple change to make to a person’s daily lifestyle. The cost is negligible, and the availability of salt substitutes is plentiful. China has over 10 million adverse cardiovascular events annually, especially for those over the age of 60. Results were supported with older adults with hypertension and family histories of stroke.

Conclusion

I switched to Himalayan salt a couple of decades ago. Health benefits are found at this link – https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/315081. Back in the ‘70s, I switched to a salt substitute that was primarily potassium chloride. It tasted close to natural salt but did not quite equal it. Over time, I gave up salt completely until I learned about the benefits of pink salt.

Salt intake should not exceed 2.3 grams daily with an ideal limit of 1.5 grams. Why would you not want to pursue it when any solution that works to reduce cardiovascular events is cheap and readily available?

Live Longer & Enjoy Life! – Red O’Laughlin – RedOLaughlin.com

 

 

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