I have recently reported on the research in gender defined salt sensitivity by Dr Eric BELIN de CHANTEMELE, Professor of Medicine at the Augusta University in Georgia, USA. Professor Belin De Chahtemele has kindly agreed to answer my questions, that revolve around one, does salt raise blood pressure in men and women to a different numbers?
Question 1: Busting Myths
What are some of the misconceptions that have previously existed regarding the relative salt-sensitivity of women and men, and how has your research helped to dispel these misconceptions?
Some of the major misconceptions are that men are more salt sensitive than women, that women develop salt sensitive blood pressure after menopause, and that alterations in renal function are the sole cause of salt sensitive hypertension. However numerous clinical studies listed in our recent review indicate that women of all ethnicities, age are more salt sensitive than men. One of the best studies demonstrating that women of all ages are more salt sensitive than men is by the group of Jose R Romero. Our own work in mice suggests that this increase is due to an impaired ability of females to decrease the production of the aldosterone in response to salt consumption. Our studies indicate that these inappropriately high aldosterone levels impair the ability of blood vessels to relax and contribute to the elevation in blood pressure without altering renal function.
Question 2: Does Salt Raise Blood Pressure. An explanation to a patient
If you were to explain the results of your research to a hypertensive patient, and answer the question ‘Does salt raise blood pressure’, how would you do it?
I would explain to them that our work is about trying to understand why some women have a salt sensitive blood pressure or what makes them have an increase in blood pressure in response to salt consumption (when they should not). Our studies show that salt sensitive female animals, in opposition to the salt resistant animals, are not able to decrease the production of a hormone or messenger that regulate blood pressure. As a consequence, this maladaptive or inappropriate response damages the blood vessels. The blood vessels can’t relax properly anymore which leads to an increase in blood pressure.
Question 3: Benefits of reducing salt intake
Could you elaborate on the potential benefits of reducing salt intake for both males and females, and how this intervention may be particularly effective in reducing salt sensitivity in females?
Salt sensitivity is 100% dependent on salt. To elaborate, most people are salt resistant, meaning that when they ingest salt their body is able to respond properly to maintain blood pressure stable. On the other hand, Salt sensitive people are not able to respond appropriately to salt and have an increase in blood pressure. Therefore, the best approach to prevent unnecessary increases in blood pressure is to reduce salt intake. Most people all over the world consume way too much salt. In the US, the average consumption of salt is 3.4mg/day when the American Heart Association recommends 1.5mg.
Does Salt Raise Blood Pressure: Key Facts for the USA
- Average Salt Intake: Even Americans consume over 3,400 milligrams (mg) of sodium per day on average, which far exceeds the recommended limits.
- Dietary Guidelines: The US Dietary Guidelines recommend a limit of 2,300 mg of sodium per day for people ages 14 and up, which is about one teaspoon of salt.
- American Heart Association’s Recommendation: The American Heart Association recommends no more than 2,300 mg of sodium a day, ideally aiming for no more than 1,500 mg per day for most adults.
- Sources of Sodium: Around 70% of the sodium in American diets comes from packaged, processed, and restaurant foods, not from the salt shaker.
- Health Risks: High sodium diets can strain the kidneys and increase the risk of high blood pressure, heart attacks, strokes, heart failure, and kidney disease.
Does salt raise blood pressure of the Americans. At present, it does most definitely. Hopefully it will decrease in the future.
