Red State, Blue State

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