Sodium Reduction? Take it With a Grain of Salt

Adamant on buying low sodium or sodium-free products every time you go grocery shopping? You’re not alone. But, when reducing your sodium intake keep in mind that your body still needs salt. In fact, recent studies raise suspicions that too little sodium intake may actually be harmful to your health.

For the past decade the American Heart Association (AHA) has advocated for adults to lower their sodium levels from 2,300 milligrams to 1,500 milligrams a day because of studies that showed this helps reduce risk of heart disease. But, a recent study released by the Institute of Medicine (IOM) found that there is not enough evidence to draw a direct correlation between reducing risk of heart disease and sodium intake.

The IOM report found that limiting sodium too much has actually been found to increase the risk for heart attack, particularly for those with kidney disease, diabetes, or cardiovascular disease. In 2011, the AHA recommended that a segment of the population, including African Americans, people over the age of 55 and those with hypertension, diabetes or kidney disease, should consume no more than 1,500 milligrams of sodium a day. However, the IOM’s recent report raises questions about the potential negative effects from too little salt.  

The Salt Institute – a non-profit trade association dedicated to advancing the benefits of salt – supports this new study and agrees that lowering sodium intake too much is, in fact, harmful to general health. Further research by the IOM may provide more information about the effects of sodium and identify the optimal level of sodium intake for the general public.

While many health standards are made to suit the general public, every person’s health needs are unique. Individuals require certain needs when it comes to nutrition, so patients should always consult their primary care physician before making any major dietary changes. Principal Medical Group’s (PMG) physicians get to know their patients’ specific needs and provide nutrition and lifestyle consultations to develop tailored dietary plans. Contact PMG to learn more about our individualized health counseling services.