No salt, low salt what the… – Heart Failure Foundation

: Salt farmers harvesting salt.

No salt, low salt what the…

The seasonings aisle at the supermarket can be overwhelming, especially if you’re trying to find a healthy alternative to salt. There are many seasoning products on the market and the ways the food industry promotes them can make it difficult to find a healthy choice. Sea salt has long been touted as a healthy alterative to table salt and it’s no surprise that 61% of respondents in a survey conducted by the American Heart Association believed sea salt to be low-sodium alternative to table salt. Sea Salt is no better for you than normal table salt.

There are many other products that are marketed as being healthy alternatives to salt. Commercial “salt substitutes” are one such product. Most salt substitutes contain potassium chloride in place of sodium chloride. By replacing sodium with potassium in the chemical structure of salt, food scientists have developed a variety of “salt substitutes” that taste similar to table salt and that can help reduce overall sodium intake when used in place of table salt.

A high sodium diet can cause high blood pressure and increase your risk for stroke, kidney problems, heart failure, heart attack and blindness. If you already have high blood pressure, a high sodium diet will make it worse. Using potassium-based salt substitutes is one way to reduce your sodium intake, especially if you use the saltshaker at most meals. HOWEVER, potassium-based salt substitutes are not safe for everyone to use. Extra potassium can be dangerous for individuals that take certain types of medications. These medications can increase the level of potassium in your blood and when combined with a high potassium diet, can lead to adverse medical problems. If you have diabetes, kidney disease, reduced urinary flow, congestive heart failure OR if you take any medications for your heart, liver or kidneys or to treat high blood pressure or fluid retention, ask your doctor if potassium-based salt substitutes are safe.

You might be using a potassium based salt substitute without realising it. It would be wise to go through your cupboard and check ingredient labels — if you see potassium chloride listed, the seasoning is a potassium based salt substitute.