The Surprising Impact of Salt on the Brain
In a recent GMA segment, Dr. Sutton discussed methods for reducing leg swelling and advised viewers that most adults should aim for a daily salt intake of less than 1000 mg. The American Heart Association reports that the average person's daily sodium intake is about 3,500 mg. They recommend consuming no more than 2,300 mg, but ideally less than 1,500 mg daily. While watching the segment, I couldn't help but wonder whether viewers were aware of their daily sodium intake.
Are you aware of how much salt you consume? You are likely unsure of the amount unless you have a chronic health condition. One of the most effective ways to keep track of your intake is by reading food labels. However, this can be challenging because food manufacturers have the freedom to print almost anything they want on food labels."
Remember the following information: When you see the label "low sodium" on a product, it might seem straightforward, but the American Heart Association lists 21 different ingredients that indicate the presence of sodium. It's important to do your research. With the convenience of cell phones, you can easily look up information about a product before putting it in your shopping cart. Additionally, make sure to read the label to find out the total sodium content. If the recommended daily sodium intake is less than 1000 mg and the frozen food you're considering contains more than 1000 mg, you should put it back. This is because the product will be just one of several meals you eat daily, and consuming multiple high-sodium meals can significantly increase your sodium intake over time, potentially leading to high blood pressure and other health issues.
National Institutes of Health’s (NIH) report that high blood pressure raises the risk for heart disease, stroke, kidney failure, and other health problems isn’t a new message. But the message needs to reach more people.
Something you may not know:
NIH reported the surprising results of a research team that fed mice a high-salt diet equivalent to people's excessive salt intake. Previous researchers found that immune cells called T helper 17 (TH17) cells accumulate in the gut when mice are fed a high-salt diet, and high levels of TH17 can harm blood vessels. Blood vessels tighten to reduce blood flow or relax to increase flow. The findings suggest that excessive salt intake may negatively affect blood vessel health.
After eight weeks, the mice brains showed up to 30% reduction in blood flow compared to mice that ate a normal diet. The mice also had problems in three cognitive tasks: recognizing objects, navigating a maze, and building a nest. The blood vessels in the mice fed a high-salt diet did not dilate properly.
When the mice were returned to a normal diet, their brain blood flow and cognition improved. While scientists continue to research the impact on people who eat a high-salt diet, the takeaway is that for optimal health, a low-sodium diet is best.
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