SoylentNews is people
SoylentNews
Arthur T Knackerbracket has found the following story:
A high-salt diet is not only bad for one's blood pressure, but also for the immune system. This is the conclusion of a current study under the leadership of the University Hospital Bonn. Mice fed a high-salt diet were found to suffer from much more severe bacterial infections. Human volunteers who consumed an additional six grams of salt per day also showed pronounced immune deficiencies. This amount corresponds to the salt content of two fast food meals. The results are published in the journal "Science Translational Medicine".
Five grams a day, no more: This is the maximum amount of salt that adults should consume according to the recommendations of the World Health Organization (WHO). It corresponds approximately to one level teaspoon.
In reality, however, many Germans exceed this limit considerably: Figures from the Robert Koch Institute suggest that on average men consume ten, women more than eight grams a day.
This means that we reach for the salt shaker much more than is good for us. After all, sodium chloride, which is its chemical name, raises blood pressure and thereby increases the risk of heart attack or stroke.
But not only that: "We have now been able to prove for the first time that excessive salt intake also significantly weakens an important arm of the immune system," explains Prof. Dr. Christian Kurts from the Institute of Experimental Immunology at the University of Bonn.
Journal Reference
Katarzyna Jobin, Natascha E. Stumpf, Sebastian Schwab et al. A high-salt diet compromises antibacterial neutrophil responses through hormonal perturbation [$], Science Translational Medicine (DOI: 10.1126/scitranslmed.aay3850)
(Score: 3, Interesting) by crb3 on Monday March 30 2020, @05:27PM (1 child)
I keep Morton's No-Salt on hand for this (it's mainly potassium chloride), and sprinkle liberally to balance it out, using my own nervous system as a gauge. After frequent childhood use of the salt-shaker to erase food tastes I didn't like, I developed a sensitivity to sodium salt and its effects on the sodium-potassium ion pump that's part of neuron operation. From Adelle Davis, I got that, for normal health effects, at least, it's the electrolyte balance that matters, so I perhaps put up with elevated but balanced levels in return for clear thinking, reduced bloating and minimal muscle impairment.
For cooking, I use Morton's Lite-Salt, which has sodium and potassium in the correct balance. Now I guess I have to wait to see if these researchers get around to testing elevated but balanced levels for impact on the immune system. Meanwhile, I get to enjoy pot pies, which I really like as a small meal, without the usual negative side-effects.
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Monday March 30 2020, @10:56PM
This is one of the rare cases where cutting sodium down makes sense. Most people just don't consume so much sodium that it causes problems. It's medical malpractice to have people cut down on their sodium intake if they aren't also testing the patient's electrolyte levels to see that they're out of range. How much sodium you have in your blood stream is far more important than how much you consume. If you're urinating or sweating it out, then you're going to need to consume more than if the body is retaining it. Similarly, you'll need to consume more if you're consuming more potassium to keep it in balance.