Why Low-Salt Diets Are Bad for You

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The American Heart Association has told us for decades that eating too much salt will increase the risk of high blood pressure and cardiovascular disease and that we should dramatically limit our salt intake as a result. In fact, they suggest limiting sodium intake to a maximum of 2,300 mg a day, with an “ideal limit” of 1,500 mg/d.

In this video, I share the latest research on sodium intake and cardiovascular disease and explain why the American Heart Association’s recommended limits are misguided. I also explain the downsides of excessive salt restriction and tell you why we need a moderate amount of sodium to be healthy.

Here's what we'll cover in this video:
› 00:00 — Current Sodium Intake Recommendations
› 00:54 — What the Research on High- and Low-Salt Consumption Shows
› 02:46 — The Risks Associated with a Low-Salt Diet
› 04:20 — The Role of Sodium in the Body and its Significance
› 06:02 — When Does Salt Restriction Make Sense?
› 08:24 — The Relevance of Potassium and Other Nutrients

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[chriskresser]

CORRECTION: The worldwide consumption of salt (3, 500-7, 000 mg/d) is actually between 1 and 1.25 teaspoons, not 1.5 to 3 teaspoons.

[jenghowtan]

Heart failure patients are also sensitive to both sodium and potassium intake. As high level of sodium in heart failure patients' blood will cause water retention problem and thus edema. On the other hand, potassium intake for heart failure patients also need to be monitored carefully as they will be prescribed potassium-sparing diuretic medicine. Too much potassium level in blood will lead to low heart rate and hypotension.

[sea_hous]

Exact opposite for me on a carnivore diet. I had to taper off salt (quality salt) and it's the reason I'm still alive. Highly inflammatory, for me at least.

[JasonActualization]

Thoughts on potassium to sodium intake ratio?

[superdigestible]

Thank you for this video! The Salt Fix is a great book that gets into shifting this "too much salt is bad" paradigm as well. Really fascinating to see what the literature shows!

[Ouroboros]

It's pretty much pointless quoting or relying on research that by its own admission is inconclusive due variables that make it impossible to know the cause of an outcome. I would suggest it's more efficient to look at evolution for guidance, in the absence of conclusive results.

Would most humans ancestors living in Africa, or almost all land animals have had access to salt not naturally present in food? Unlikely. Almost all non-meats foods have only trace amounts of salt. That would suggest humans and most animals only need trace amounts of salt to be healthy.

[YaYippieYeah]

People with high blood pressure can easily lower their blood pressure with limited salt intake. My went down from 135/90 to 120/80 consistently with limited salt intake.

[devinflory]

This was fascinating! Your videos are always so good and illuminating.

[tonymaurice]

. Salt will give you inflammation heart problems stroke . Low salt or no salt at all is best but hard to follow

[sali]

I love salt, but it makes my hands n feet swollen? Have tried a lot of different salts. Good ones too

[est]

Thank you! I love information & especially where there’s validation of the need of said, nutrient

As a teen in the 80’s my dad developed a heart condition /heart attack (s) and all his doctors insisted on low salt. We did that way & I actually continued eating that way past my 20s, flash forward … . I developed a thyroid issue. There’s also that connection isn’t there w low salt? Many thanks!

[lindathomas]

My husband has chf put on a 1000 MG of sodium per day ?? Is this too low

[donaldhenig]

Chris, doesn't the type of salt matter? Sea salt Vs salty potato chips....

[kelseysmith]

Curious about your thoughts on low salt diet for Ménières.

[andrekozionov]

How can 3.5-7 g of salt be equivalent to 1.5-3 teaspoons? 1 common teaspoon is about 6-7 g. Your teaspoon is 2.3 g.