As far as weight, my husband reduced his pressure when he lost weight. I had pregnancy induced hypertension which corrected after childbirth, then ended up with severe anemia due to celiac, and that gave me low bp and then had increasing bp more recently which I treat through more not less (mineral) salt in water and adding more movement. As well as other things. But it may be that the severe anemia, which lasted for some time until I went gluten free and had IV iron for several months, may have been a major contributor to my bp volatility. Anemia is terribly bad for the body's processes.
Great article! Actually lowering hypertension with drugs without identifying and addressing the underlying cause makes little sense.
That said, it's important to clarify that one should not consume more salt of any kind, whether it's table salt, Himalayan salt, or black salt. The European Society of Cardiology recommends not exceeding 2 grams of sodium per day, equivalent to about 5 grams of NaCl. Yet, in Western countries, average daily intake often exceeds 10 grams.
Even potassium-based salt substitutes should be used with caution, as excess potassium can be dangerous, especially in individuals with kidney issues.
The better strategy is to reduce both salt and salty foods, and instead flavor meals with herbs and spices. Most importantly, aim for a healthy, whole-food, plant-based diet low in saturated fats.
Do you mean the minerals such as zinc, selenium, magnesium that act as cofactors of various enzymes? Of course they are missing because table salt is pure NaCl, while other less refined salts may have traces of other minerals. Beware, however, that these are very small quantities and the content is very variable. This is why, if you pay attention, manufacturers obviously do not measure them and do not indicate them on the packaging.
The most important point is that all these minerals are present in food and with a balanced diet you can easily reach your requirements.
The most critical one is certainly iodine because many soils are deficient in it. This is why it is essential to use iodized salt or an iodine supplement, unless you eat sea fish every day.
Not only ESC but any major medical association recommends reducing salt intake below 5-6 g/day, including that contained in food (often most of it). The American Heart Association guidelines even suggest not exceeding 1.5 g of sodium per day, which corresponds to 3.8 g of NaCl.
Regardless of where sodium comes from, from more or less industrially refined salts, sodium is always the same. Less refined salts may have other trace minerals, yes, but really in very small quantities.
I agree that many people who follow the western diet are deficient in potassium, magnesium and many other minerals. But they don't have to come from salt but from food. With a healthy diet based on whole grains, pulses, unprocessed vegetables and fruit, everybody can easily reach all the requirements of both vitamins and minerals.
They may be wrong about some things, but in the guidelines they are based on the analysis of so many studies published so far on each topic.
If you disagree with something, you should at least cite the meta-analyses, systematic reviews or epidemiological studies that support your thesis. Because that is how evidence-based medicine works.
If all health professionals start stating their opinion that has no scientific basis, it becomes chaos. I think it is important to make people understand that science is not based on individual opinions, especially when it comes to such important topics as health advice.
Real salts are unprocessed so that they retain all or most of their trace minerals. Redmond’s Real, Celtic sea salt, Pink Himalayan all qualify. Electrolyte supplements/powder only contain 4-5 of the trace minerals so, while they are better than nothing, they are not ideal. The best way to get the trace minerals is by using the real salts on your food and put a pinch of it in all the water you drink to stay hydrated.
I have also read information to that effect. According to the research I have done, this salt (to be found on Amazon) is the cleanest that has been tested. My apologies that I can’t post the link to the article. It’s somewhere in the annals of my health research! Original Himalayan Salt Crystal -... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000A76UOI?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share
I think it's a real concern. Lead safe mama tested Celtic Sea salt too which had high amounts of lead. I can't remember which brand didn't have lead but it should be on her website.
There is a lot of evidence to show that the majority of high blood pressure is caused by extra weight on the body. And in my case in specific, losing 30 pounds returned my blood pressure to a totally normal range. So since then I have looked at several studies that show fasting and weight loss can reduce blood pressure in almost 100% of cases back to healthy ranges. This leads me to believe That the majority of people should just lose some weight. lol. No drugs required. I didn’t say it was “easy” but it comes with a lot of positive side effects, unlike the drugs.
This is so true. I actually found a study from 2017, I’ll have to fish it out. It made it very clear that when checking your blood pressure, you need to be lying down and wait 25 minutes before testing.
Most people get the instruction from their doctors to sit up straight and wait three minutes. And when you’re in the doctors office, you barely have the proper time.
So there’s probably at least 50% over diagnosis of high blood pressure that doesn’t exist just based off of the improper testing
And then add to the fact that the thresholds keep going lower and lower. No 70 year-old should be shooting for 120/70. As we get older, we need higher blood pressure to function. Blood pressure is also upwards of 10 mm/HG higher in the winter. If your body is cold, it will raise the blood pressure.
I checked out of curiosity. Redmond's real salt has 530 mg of sodium in 1.4 g, which is 38%, while Celtic Sea Salt - 458 mg in 1.3 g, 35%. Normal table salt - 40%, so there is really very little difference. As a dietician, I advise you to read the labels, especially on packaged products. 😊
As far as weight, my husband reduced his pressure when he lost weight. I had pregnancy induced hypertension which corrected after childbirth, then ended up with severe anemia due to celiac, and that gave me low bp and then had increasing bp more recently which I treat through more not less (mineral) salt in water and adding more movement. As well as other things. But it may be that the severe anemia, which lasted for some time until I went gluten free and had IV iron for several months, may have been a major contributor to my bp volatility. Anemia is terribly bad for the body's processes.
Ok After looking very briefly at the Lead SafeMama site, I have to say this whole worry may be outsized. Please read and see what you think:
https://tamararubin.com/2020/10/how-much-lead-is-in-salt-which-salt-is-safest-to-use-for-cooking-is-himalayan-salt-safe/
Great article! Actually lowering hypertension with drugs without identifying and addressing the underlying cause makes little sense.
That said, it's important to clarify that one should not consume more salt of any kind, whether it's table salt, Himalayan salt, or black salt. The European Society of Cardiology recommends not exceeding 2 grams of sodium per day, equivalent to about 5 grams of NaCl. Yet, in Western countries, average daily intake often exceeds 10 grams.
Even potassium-based salt substitutes should be used with caution, as excess potassium can be dangerous, especially in individuals with kidney issues.
The better strategy is to reduce both salt and salty foods, and instead flavor meals with herbs and spices. Most importantly, aim for a healthy, whole-food, plant-based diet low in saturated fats.
It seems the cofactors in the mineral salts are what is missing in regular table salt. These things work together.
Do you mean the minerals such as zinc, selenium, magnesium that act as cofactors of various enzymes? Of course they are missing because table salt is pure NaCl, while other less refined salts may have traces of other minerals. Beware, however, that these are very small quantities and the content is very variable. This is why, if you pay attention, manufacturers obviously do not measure them and do not indicate them on the packaging.
The most important point is that all these minerals are present in food and with a balanced diet you can easily reach your requirements.
The most critical one is certainly iodine because many soils are deficient in it. This is why it is essential to use iodized salt or an iodine supplement, unless you eat sea fish every day.
The ESA is wrong.
People should reduce the inflammatory table salt and additive salt in processed foods.
But most of the developed western world is deficient in potassium, magnesium and other trace minerals that come from natural salts.
People should most definitely cut out the industrial crap, and consume MORE mineral salts.
Not only ESC but any major medical association recommends reducing salt intake below 5-6 g/day, including that contained in food (often most of it). The American Heart Association guidelines even suggest not exceeding 1.5 g of sodium per day, which corresponds to 3.8 g of NaCl.
Regardless of where sodium comes from, from more or less industrially refined salts, sodium is always the same. Less refined salts may have other trace minerals, yes, but really in very small quantities.
I agree that many people who follow the western diet are deficient in potassium, magnesium and many other minerals. But they don't have to come from salt but from food. With a healthy diet based on whole grains, pulses, unprocessed vegetables and fruit, everybody can easily reach all the requirements of both vitamins and minerals.
I don't even agree with the ESC and AHA about their conception of many diseases, why would I take their recommendations seriously?.
Their corporate ties and financial interests are enough to make any wary patient's head spin.
They may be wrong about some things, but in the guidelines they are based on the analysis of so many studies published so far on each topic.
If you disagree with something, you should at least cite the meta-analyses, systematic reviews or epidemiological studies that support your thesis. Because that is how evidence-based medicine works.
If all health professionals start stating their opinion that has no scientific basis, it becomes chaos. I think it is important to make people understand that science is not based on individual opinions, especially when it comes to such important topics as health advice.
People are individuals.
Not aggregate data or consensus opinion.
I don't care if you agree. Just keep it in mind as you journey through health.
I've seen enough.
Thoroughly excellent as always.
What is an example of a "real salt" you refer to as one thing to get more of in your diet? Is that like Pink salt?
Real salts are unprocessed so that they retain all or most of their trace minerals. Redmond’s Real, Celtic sea salt, Pink Himalayan all qualify. Electrolyte supplements/powder only contain 4-5 of the trace minerals so, while they are better than nothing, they are not ideal. The best way to get the trace minerals is by using the real salts on your food and put a pinch of it in all the water you drink to stay hydrated.
Do you or any others here know about the Lead in Celtic salt lawsuit? Is this really a concern or is it meant to take down a good salt provider? https://www.classaction.org/news/class-action-lawsuit-claims-selina-naturally-celtic-sea-salt-contains-significant-levels-of-lead-arsenic
I have also read information to that effect. According to the research I have done, this salt (to be found on Amazon) is the cleanest that has been tested. My apologies that I can’t post the link to the article. It’s somewhere in the annals of my health research! Original Himalayan Salt Crystal -... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000A76UOI?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share
Sorry. Meant to say they tested Redmond's real salt which had high amounts of lead.
I think it's a real concern. Lead safe mama tested Celtic Sea salt too which had high amounts of lead. I can't remember which brand didn't have lead but it should be on her website.
thank you so much!
Huge factor.
There is a lot of evidence to show that the majority of high blood pressure is caused by extra weight on the body. And in my case in specific, losing 30 pounds returned my blood pressure to a totally normal range. So since then I have looked at several studies that show fasting and weight loss can reduce blood pressure in almost 100% of cases back to healthy ranges. This leads me to believe That the majority of people should just lose some weight. lol. No drugs required. I didn’t say it was “easy” but it comes with a lot of positive side effects, unlike the drugs.
Also to add chanca piedra is excellent at lowering blood pressure because it lower cortisol. Diatomaceous earth also helps in lowering blood pressure.
This is so true. I actually found a study from 2017, I’ll have to fish it out. It made it very clear that when checking your blood pressure, you need to be lying down and wait 25 minutes before testing.
Most people get the instruction from their doctors to sit up straight and wait three minutes. And when you’re in the doctors office, you barely have the proper time.
So there’s probably at least 50% over diagnosis of high blood pressure that doesn’t exist just based off of the improper testing
And then add to the fact that the thresholds keep going lower and lower. No 70 year-old should be shooting for 120/70. As we get older, we need higher blood pressure to function. Blood pressure is also upwards of 10 mm/HG higher in the winter. If your body is cold, it will raise the blood pressure.
Any recommendations on mineral salts. One that I can use as a replacement for the table salt my family uses?
Redmond's real salt is what my doctor recommends. Celtic Sea salt is another.
I checked out of curiosity. Redmond's real salt has 530 mg of sodium in 1.4 g, which is 38%, while Celtic Sea Salt - 458 mg in 1.3 g, 35%. Normal table salt - 40%, so there is really very little difference. As a dietician, I advise you to read the labels, especially on packaged products. 😊
Elsa--
Thank you!
Awesome post! Thank you so much for sharing! Great knowledge!!
thx - great post! I often use electrolytes (including sodium) as a salt alternative with good outcomes
Thank you for sharing this perspective. I’ll keep it in mind for the day I’m inevitably told my blood pressure is high