Good AM! A few days ago you may have caught news about a weak paper (it was a selective analysis of already done studies) concluding that sugar is worse for blood pressure than salt. Even more sad, the article tried to push a message that cutting salt may be bad for our health. Well, Ive read the paper – and I really appreciate its argument against excess sugar. But the RMS truth is that both excess refined sugars (many kinds, not just HFCS) and salt are problems re human health (not just blood pressure which, notably, may not be the only way that excess sodium/salt harms our bodies). Ive communicated with the main author of the sugar is worse than salt for blood pressure recent article, pharmacist Dr James DiNicolantonio. I believe hes a well intentioned man. But, as of yet, hes hasnt provided me an answer to a simple question: why after both Finland & the UK have substantially cutback salt/sodium as nations over the last many years has there been nothing but dramatic reductions and cardiovascular event rates (so much for cutting salt is harmful)? So heres the #RealityMeetsScience (TM) bottom line: both excess refined sugar AND excess sodium/salt can deteriorate our health more quickly over the years (and the mass majority of Americans are consuming too much of both). What should be our camp on sodium? The RMS reality of it is that its harder to cut back on sodium than calories. That said, in a hypertensive patient or someone who has diabetes, chronic kidney disease, is African-American or above the age of 40, Id recommend using 1500 mg per day as a center of gravity target to try and shoot for. Otherwise I would recommend less then 2000 and certainly wouldnt push it beyond 2300 mg per day (on average). Note: IOM says best to be under 2000mg/day, AHA & Pritikin say below 1500, CDC says 1500-2300 depending on age and other risk factors - all are WAY better our American average which is pushing well over 3000mg. I hope that helps clear the air and water (whether it sugar water or salt water) when it comes to any false battle over whether excess refined sugar or excess salt is worse for our health. Keep an eye on both! #RMS is Reality Meets Science TM Saint Joseph Mercy Health System American Board of Internal Medicine Wayne State University School of Medicine #sugar #salt
Posted on: Mon, 15 Dec 2014 11:35:56 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015