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Blood Pressure and Reduced Sodium Salt.
Diet & Health / 12:38 PM - Tuesday November 03, 2009

Blood Pressure and Reduced Sodium Salt.

Has reduced sodium salt use actually reduced blood pressure in you or anyone you know?

I bought some Diamond Crystal Salt Sense. It says it contains 33% less sodium per teaspoon than regular salt. But after I read the micro-print on the back it turns out this is a clever use of words. They flatten out the salt crystal so it takes up more room in the spoon. By weight it contains the exact same amount of Sodium as regular salt.

So this is not making me happy.

I love salt. Any substitutes that you know of that actually reduce the sodium content while still tasting like salt?

Update: November 03, 2009.
Thanks for all your good suggestions. I've already cut out all the processed foods. Either J or I make almost everything I eat from scratch. And if I get too low on salt I get head aches so I can't get rid of it completely. But I think I'll try some substitutes and eating tomatoes more often.

- Asked by llafsroh, An Intellectual Guy, Male, 36-45, Boston, Science / Engineering

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By weight, true. But you end up using less because of the way it's made.

Your next step is to try completely fake salt.

And yes, reducing your sodium intake DOES help. Sodium increases fluid retention, which increases blood pressure. That's why diuretics are prescribed for high blood pressure.

- Response by piscesrising, A Thinker, Female, Who Cares?, Boston, Celebrity

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My husband has high blood pressure and is a salt fanatic. He uses Morton brand Salt Substitute. It contains 0 sodium and tastes like salt. I am a salt-a-holic myself and tried this salt substitute. It actually tastes very good.

- Response by mistyjean, A Thinker, Female, 46-55, Self-Employed

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There are no substitutes that taste like salt. You just have to retrain your taste buds. Some good salt-free seasonings to try, though, are Mrs. Dash and Emeril's Italian Essence.

- Response by carinabay, A Cool Mom, Female, 36-45, Lawyer

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I reduced the sodium in my diet by using other herbs and spices instead. When I do use salt, I use Real Salt. It's natural and not processed.

- Response by utahmom, A Thinker, Female, 46-55, Salt Lake City, Managerial

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I don't really know, but good catch on that fine print, that's BS. Isn't a good quality sea salt suppose to be better and less harmful to health...seems like I read somthing about that.

- Response by nysbikergirl, An Alternative Girl, Female, 46-55, Who Cares?

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YOu need to cut it down as much as possible and not adding any can go a long way to helping you.

- Response by glasgowbelle, A Thinker, Female, 46-55, Glasgow, Retired

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sea salt is suppose to be a lot better for us

- Response by bigcurt, A Mr. Nice Guy, Male, 46-55, Pittsburgh, Self-Employed

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Sea salt tastes way better than iodized salt and you use less of it. I don't add salt to food when I'm cooking, I add it later after the food is done if it needs it. Also learn to read the labels on processed food, you get a shocking amount of sodium in that crap.
I'm a salt lover, so it was hard for me to cut back. But you'd be surprised how your taste buds adjust.

- Response by purrzn, A Thinker, Female, 46-55, Who Cares?

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There are salt substitutes in the supermarket. You have to look at the spice shelves. What's more, if you enjoy fooling around with the pots 'n pans, learn to use HERBS in place of salt.

- Response by pushkins, A Thinker, Female, 66 or older, Miami, Who Cares?

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I threw the salt shaker in the trash about 7 years ago, and yes, it did have a positive affect on my BP. I didn;t have to stop using salt, I just decided to do so, because like you, I loved it on nearly everything and I used a lot.

Personally, I'd just use it for cooking, and use Sea salt as already suggested. It may take a few months, but after a while you will realize that nearly everything already has salt in it.

I never thought I;d see the day I could eat eggs, chicken, or tuna from a can without salt, but believe it or not, it has enough salt already in it.

You will find that food such as bacon is way too salty to eat more than one piece of, and it will be a catalyst for other healthy habits.

- Response by buffersclone, An Intellectual Guy, Male, 46-55, Los Angeles, Managerial

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Reduced sodium has definitely worked for me. Nothing else seems to have a significant impact on my blood pressure, but based on salt consuption, I've seen my BP range from as high as 145 systolic (stage 1 hypertension) down to 110 systolic (120 is normal).

- Response by ryanthegreatarj, An Intellectual Guy, Male, 18-21, Fitness

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