Americans love salt (sodium chloride) and eat too much of it, according to the US Government. The recommended amount of salt per day is only a teaspoon, or two grams. This recommendation applies to all the food you eat, including beverages which can be high in salt, cooking salt, and table salt. Even if you are careful about salt you may eat too much.
Where does the excess salt come from?
The Mayo Clinic website answers this question in its article, "Sodium: Are You Getting Too Much?" Cooking accounts for five percent of your salt intake. Table salt accounts for six percent. The natural salt in food accounts for 12 percent. And a whopping 77 percent comes from processed foods. All too often, harried consumers buy these foods as they rush home from work.
Doctors advise patients with hypertension, diabetes, and chronic kidney disease to lower their salt intake. If you have any of these conditions you may have bought a salt substitute. There are three problems with these faux seasonings.
Salt substitutes have a metallic taste. I have high blood pressure and, in an effort to cut back on salt, tried a substitute. Though I can't remember the name I can remember the awful taste. My scrambled eggs tasted rotten and other foods had a bitter aftertaste, so I threw the product away. You may have had a similar reaction to these products.
Salt substitutes may contain salt. I rarely salt food when I am fixing it, and when I do, I use Salt Sense, which is real iodized salt. Processing makes this product different. Because the salt crystals are larger and fluffier than ordinary table salt, you use 33 percent less when you measure it. Instead of salt I season food with citrus juice, citrus zest, and herbs.
Salt substitutes contain potassium chloride. According to a US Food and Drug Administration Article, "Lowering Salt in your Diet," potassium chloride can be harmful to people who have diabetes, kidney disease, and heart disease.
The Cleveland Clinic cites potassium chloride in a website article "Heart and Vascular Health & Prevention." Your body rids itself of salt in urine. Excessive amounts of potassium chloride may be harmful to patients with kidney problems who are unable to get rid of excessive potassium, the clinic notes. "Otherwise a salt substitute containing potassium chloride is an acceptable alternative in moderation."
Mayo Clinic also warns consumers about excessive potassium chloride. "Too much supplemental potassium can be harmful if you have kidney problems or if you are taking medications for congestive heart failure or high blood pressure that cause potassium retention," the clinic observes. You may not realize how much salt is in the substitute and, to get that "familiar salty taste," Mayo Clinic says you may use too much and not really lower your intake.
Should you use a salt substitute? That depends on your medical condition. Check with your doctor before you buy one and start using it regularly.
Copyright 2010 by Harriet Hodgson
A new on the network herbs to lower blood pressure
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