Effect of Sodium Intake on Blood Pressure and Human Health

Abstract

Sodium-reduced diet widely recommended by various societies of hypertension has been recently questioned. Low impact of sodium reduced diet on blood pressure and its lack of effect in salt resistant patients is stressed in literature. Severe sodium reduced diet increases insulin resistance and cholesterol level in blood. Alderman has described increased risk of myocardial infarction in subject on sodium reduced diet. However, results of last studies do not confirm these observations. Analysis of several studies indicates that high sodium intake is strongly and independently associated with increased risk of cardiovascular disease and with all-cause mortality in overweight subjects. Some papers suggest adverse effect of high sodium intake on left ventricular mass, glomerular capillary pressure, risk of proteinuria, kidney stone formation and cancer of the stomach. Long term studies on efficacy and safety of sodium reduced diet are advisable, but this diet should continue to be recommended for patients with hypertension.