Red State, Blue State

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" HSI - Jenny Thompson " <HSIResearch

 

Red State, Blue State

Tue, 02 Nov 2004 08:31:27 -0400

 

Red State, Blue State

 

Health Sciences Institute e-Alert

 

November 02, 2004

 

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Dear Reader,

 

Everyone knows that you should avoid salt, right? Because salt can

cause high blood pressure, correct?

 

The answers to those questions: No and No.

 

In fact, recent research from Germany indicates that older people

who choose a sodium-free diet may be doing more harm than

good. In fact, MUCH more harm than good.

 

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The salt misconception

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" Of all the flavors one eats, salt is indispensable. "

 

That's an old Chinese proverb that doesn't get much play these

days – mainly because of the mainstream mindset tells us that salt

is bad. And it can be, when consumed in excess. But for the

average person, a moderate daily intake of salt is not harmful. And

according to research presented at the European Geriatrics

Congress in Vienna, some of the people who need salt in their diets

the most may be getting the least.

 

Professor Ingo Fusgen of the Department of Geriatrics at the

University of Witten-Herdecke in Witten, Germany, presented

research at the congress showing that as many as 10 percent of

seniors may suffer from hyponatraemia (low blood levels of

sodium). Furthermore, hyponatraemia often goes undiagnosed

because symptoms are so similar to some of the conditions that we

associate with aging, such as fatigue, poor concentration,

confusion, poor balance and incontinence. When hyponatraemia

becomes pronounced, hallucinations and even coma may result.

 

In a presentation that has not yet been published, Prof. Fusgen

reported that 80 percent of the elderly subjects in his research told

him that they avoided salt based on the popular misconception that

salt intake causes high blood pressure (HBP).

 

In a press release, Prof. Fusgen stated that many otherwise healthy

older people may be in danger simply because of the widespread

belief that a low-salt diet is healthy.

 

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Salt's best friend

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I completely agree with Prof. Fusgen, but I'll take it even one step

further. Not only does sodium intake NOT cause high blood

pressure, in most cases it's not even a problem for people who

already have HBP, provided they're getting enough of another

nutrient.

 

According to the late Robert C. Atkins, M.D., the problem for

those with HBP isn't sodium, it's a lack of balance between sodium

and potassium levels. In fact, more than 25 separate studies show

how increasing potassium intake (without decreasing the sodium)

is an effective way to lower blood pressure. And one of those

studies demonstrated that with just one daily serving of a

potassium-rich food the risk of death by stroke may be cut by as

much as HALF.

 

Fortunately, it's easy to increase the potassium in your diet. High

potassium fruits include apricots, bananas, cantaloupe, honeydew

melon and citrus fruits. Vegetables with good amounts of

potassium are asparagus, potatoes, green beans, avocados, lima

beans, winter squash, and cauliflower. Other foods high in

potassium: grain products, red meat, poultry, seafood and dry

beans, such as peas and lentils.

 

It would be difficult to get too much potassium from dietary

sources alone. But if you're already getting plenty of potassium in

your diet, a potassium supplement would be unnecessary for most

people, and in some extreme cases could lead to kidney damage

and other complications. Obviously, balance is called for. And – as

always – talk to your doctor, dietician or health care practitioner

before using potassium supplements to help manage high blood

pressure.

 

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Going Celtic

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More than three years ago, in the e-Alert " Lower Your Blood

Pressure Without Side Effects " (8/23/01), I told you about research

indicating that severe sodium restriction, (much the same as Prof.

Fusgen observed) actually increases the risk of premature death.

On the other hand, a long-term overindulgence in salt is dangerous

as well, putting stress on the kidneys, which remove excess salt

from the blood.

 

So if you love your salt, you might try using sea salt. According to

some physicians, moderate use of Celtic Sea Salt has been shown

to have no negative effects on blood pressure and actually provides

the body with a number of helpful minerals, including magnesium,

which is essential for heart health.

 

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....and another thing

 

Take it from a true insider...

 

If you know someone who's feeling fearful and vulnerable because

they haven't been able to get a flu shot this year, share this quote

with them:

 

" There is no evidence that any influenza vaccine thus far

developed is effective in preventing or mitigating any attack of

influenza...they are worthless. "

 

That quote comes from Dr. J. Anthony Morris, research virologist

and onetime Chief Vaccine Control Officer of the FDA. Dr. Morris

was dismissed by the FDA for making comments such as the one

above.

 

Heavens! We can't have an FDA official going around making

statements that would endanger the healthy profits of drug

manufacturers!

 

To Your Good Health,

 

Jenny Thompson

Health Sciences Institute

 

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Sources:

" European Geriatrics Congress: Low Salt Diet a Danger for

Elderly " European Geriatrics Congress News Release, 9/20/04,

prnewswire.co.uk

" Elderly Need an Extra Pinch of Salt " NutraIngredients.com,

9/22/04, nutraingredients.com

" Vaccinations: The Controversy " Vitality, October 2004,

vitalitymagazine.com

 

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