In a review article in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology,1 the authors concluded that “even in the absence of an increase in blood pressure, excess dietary sodium can adversely affect target organs, including the blood vessels, heart, kidneys and brain.”

The scientists, led by William Farquhar, PhD, of the University of Delaware, point out that most Americans need a mere 500 milligrams (mg) of sodium daily for “fluid balance… and a stable internal environment.”

But unfortunately, most of us consume far more – about six times as much, or 3,200 mg of sodium daily. This is more than double the 1,500 mg maximum per day recommended by health organizations like the American Heart Association. For more than five decades, a maximum of 1,500 mg of sodium daily has also been the recommendation of the Pritikin Eating Plan.

Salt is a mixture of 40% sodium and 60% chloride, or sodium-chloride. It is from salt that we get most of the sodium in our diet.

Dangers of Salt | Blood Vessels

Elevated sodium levels can negatively affect the function of the inner lining of the blood vessels, called the endothelium, report Dr. Farquhar and colleagues.

And the last thing we want to do is foul up our endothelium.

As Bruce Albert, MD, and co-authors wrote in their classic, in-depth textbook on cell biology, Molecular Biology of the Cell, “Almost all tissues depend on a blood supply, and the blood supply depends on endothelial cells.”2

The endothelium introduces all kinds of chemicals, like nitric oxide, which control how well our blood vessels expand and contract. Put simply, we want blood vessels with good elasticity; without it, they can’t stretch well with each pulse. They stiffen, making it harder for the heart to pump blood throughout the body. Eventually, the heart wears out. It’s called heart failure.

One of the endothelium’s other key jobs is releasing factors that cut down on platelet stickiness, which helps ensure that our red blood cells flow smoothly, like traffic on an unclogged freeway.

When the endothelium is malfunctioning, the result of too much salt as well as other lifestyle-related factors like high insulin levels, high LDL (bad) cholesterol, and high blood glucose, it becomes a breeding ground for inflammation, cholesterol plaque build-up, and cardiovascular diseases.

Dangers of Salt | Heart

High blood pressure is a major risk factor for left ventricular hypertrophy, which is enlargement of the muscle tissue that makes up the wall of the heart’s main pumping chamber.

But research has found that high sodium intake may increase left ventricular wall thickness independent of high blood pressure. For example, in a study of healthy adults with normal blood pressure or minimal hypertension, those with the highest sodium excretion had significantly greater diagnoses of left ventricular hypertrophy.3

Having left ventricular hypertrophy can lead to multiple heart-related problems, including arrhythmia (abnormal heart rhythm), heart attack, sudden cardiac arrest (sudden loss of heart function), and heart failure (inability of the heart to pump enough blood throughout the body).

Dangers of Salt | Kidneys

One of the ways doctors assess how well our kidneys are working is with a test called glomerular filtration rate. Glomeruli are tiny sieves in the kidneys that filter waste from the blood. The higher our glomerular filtration rate, the better our kidneys are at getting rid of waste.

Studies have found that a high salt intake, even with only a minimal rise in blood pressure, can lead to decreased rates of glomerular filtration, which are a sign of chronic kidney disease, and, if not checked, kidney failure.4

Tips For Cutting Sodium Get tips for Cutting 1,000+ Mg Of Sodium From Your Daily Diet

Guide For Lowering Blood Pressure Get the Ultimate Guide For Lowering Blood Pressure Naturally

High sodium intake also means increased protein excretion by the kidneys, which can lead to heart and kidney disease.

The good news: Sodium restriction has been shown to reduce both protein excretion and blood pressure in people with hypertension.5

Dangers of Salt | Brain

Still further, the authors of the newly published review in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology point out that a high salt intake may negatively affect the brain. Eating excess salt causes the sympathetic nervous system to over-react to stressful situations, pumping out chronically high levels of stress hormones.

“This increased responsiveness has been associated with an increased blood pressure variability, even without an elevation in average blood pressure,” writes Dr. Farquhar and colleagues.

Increased blood pressure variability means we’re prone to having short-term spikes in blood pressure, which physicians had traditionally thought were benign as long as overall blood pressure were normal. But more and more, science is finding that increased blood pressure variability, in and of itself, is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular events and death.6

The Dangers of Salt | Bottom Line

We now have many reasons beyond high blood pressure to maintain a sodium intake of no more than 1,500 mg daily. The solution appears clear and simple: stop adding salt to food.

But as educators at the Pritikin Longevity Center always point out, and as William S. Weintraub, MD, one of the co-authors of the review, cautions, “It’s more challenging than simply throwing away your salt shaker. Approximately 70% of the sodium in our diets comes from processed foods, including items that we don’t typically think of as salty, such as breads and cereals. Also, restaurant food typically contains more salt than dishes prepared at home.”

A Stay At Pritikin Will Change Your Life Pritikin guests call their experience "transformative." Start your own life-changing transformation by calling (888) 254-1462 or filling out our booking form.

And certainly, many of us have developed a serious craving for salted foods and find low-salt or salt-free versions unappetizingly bland. That’s why “detox” vacations, like the one- and two-week stays at Pritikin, are so valuable.

At Pritikin, renowned for its success in educating tens of thousands worldwide to live healthier lives, people learn after just a few days, and often to their surprise, that their taste buds actually open up to the pleasures of natural, whole foods unadultered with a lot of salt. In fact, “guests start preferring the food we serve at Pritikin over the salt-saturated foods they used to like,” notes Kimberly Gomer, MS, RD, Pritikin’s Director of Nutrition.

Affirms frequent Pritikin guest Andrea C of Tampa, Florida: “Delicious food, a beautiful atmosphere, the education, the amazing staff… It’s a little bit of heaven for a week or two, and the bonus is, you lose weight.”

Bottom Line: At the Pritikin Longevity Center, you give up salt, but what you gain is so much more.

It’s actually a win-win: Your meals are a joy without added salt, and your body is healthier, too.

Health Resort Take life to the next level, and be all that you can be. That’s what a vacation at Pritikin is all about. Live better. Look better. Best of all, feel better. Health Resort Take life to the next level, and be all that you can be. That’s what a vacation at Pritikin is all about. Live better. Look better. Best of all, feel better. All-Inclusive Program Since 1975, 100,000+ people have come to Pritikin. We are the longest-running, most scientifically documented health resort in America. Learn More Since 1975, 100,000+ people have come to Pritikin. We are the longest-running, most scientifically documented health resort in America. Rooms and Suites Our newly renovated guest rooms at the health resort are spacious, serene, and amenity-rich. Each has a gorgeous garden view. View Rooms Our newly renovated guest rooms at the health resort are spacious, serene, and amenity-rich. Each has a gorgeous garden view.

Sources