Salt: Toxicity is in the Dose

For the human body, salt is both an essential metal and toxic at a high dose.  The most common form of sodium comes from sodium chloride, a salt.  However, too much salt and arteries become stiff, and the risk of heart disease and cardiovascular disease increases. The majority of dietary salt comes from processed foods.

Salt Toxcity Deniers

Probably the most famous book is The Salt Fix.  A rambling book claiming low salt is responsible for everything from lower sex drive to insulin resistance. The book is logical and simplistic, with abundant citations taken out of context. In summary, the book is almost completely incorrect.

Salt and Hypertension

One of the classic studies about salt and hypertension is the DASH sodium study. In these studies, the study participants were fed the diet with varying amounts of salt. These studies are expensive and often not done, but powerful. Additionally, the lower levels of salt, the lower the blood pressure. In fact, a low-sodium DASH diet led to a reduction of blood pressure equivalent to one blood pressure pill.

In contrast, "The Salt Fix" states that decreasing levels of salt led to increasing blood pressure and heart disease. The Salt Fix explanation is that lower salt leads to increased levels of renin, angiotensin, and aldosterone (hormones that would increase blood pressure). His conclusion is the opposite of hundreds of articles and much analysis. Such as here, here, and here.

Salt and Cholesterol

Another false claim, "The Salt Fix," stated the DASH study showed an increase in LDL, cholesterol, and triglycerides.

The DASH diet showed no significant impact at all.

More of "The Salt Fix" Misinformation

• Our ancestors ate more salt
• The primitive argument for which there is no proof. Since our ancestors ate mostly plants and no processed foods, this is easily debunked. Meat eaters know that a one-pound chicken contains about 150 mg of salt. A double patty of hamburger has 500 mg. He makes up numbers that don't make sense.
• He states our ancestors ate from salt licks, but there are few in Africa (he makes up stuff)
• Other countries have higher salt intake and lower heart disease
• He cites Korea (which has 50% hypertension or pre-hypertension), Japan (highest incidence of stomach cancer related to salt), and France (hypertension is high, but low levels of heart disease related to the Mediterranean diet practiced by most).
• Salt doesn't lower blood pressure by a significant amount and makes food bland.
• The DASH diet studies show significant reductions in blood pressure, and the food is not bland.
• Lower salt leads to increased death.
• The opposite has been shown. Increased levels of sodium in the diet show increased levels of death.
• Lower salt leads to lower iodine levels.
• Iodized salt was introduced in the US because of the low iodine