Sodium Intake-NEJM article

Docpremie
Docpremie Posts: 228 Member
in Food and Nutrition
I realize that correlation does not equal causation, but this now the 2nd large population study in the last year to state that the current FDA settings for sodium intake may be too low. The national average for sodium intake in the U.S. is around 3,400 mg/day, but the guidelines suggest an intake of <2,300. Take note, death rates in this current study were highest for those with a sodium intake <3,000 (27% higher risk of death) and lowest for those with sodium intakes of 3,000-6,000. This actually makes sense if you know anything about sodium intake and the normal hormonal control of blood pressure via the kidneys. The editorial review to this article in the NEJM is a good read to understand the kidney's role in maintaining blood pressure. I've always said, you can eat anything in MODERATION. Huge swings to the high or low, are never ideal. By the way, I'm a physician, but take this information as you wish.

NEJM article:
http://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa1311889?query=featured_home

NEJM editorial:
http://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMe1407695?query=featured_home

Wall Street Journal article stated in more layman's terms:
http://online.wsj.com/articles/recommended-salt-levels-could-do-more-harm-than-good-study-suggests-1407964274?mod=WSJ_hppMIDDLENexttoWhatsNewsSecond

Just some food for thought for those of you worrying about the goals for sodium intake set by MFP. By the way, I do NOT follow sodium as one of my goals :)

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