SALT SUBSTITUTE DANGER
Salt substitutes contain potassium chloride in place of sodium chloride (our common table salt). Although by no means a “poison,” potassium chloride must be used sparingly, otherwise too much potassium will get into the blood and tissues.
If it accumulates in the body to excess, a letter to Journal of the American Medical Association (256:1726) points out, muscle weakness and heart beat disturbances with, eventually, complete stoppage of the heart, can occur. The chances of potassium toxicity developing increase when someone using a salt substitute is also taking medicine for arthritis, heart failure or high blood pressure.
The Journal, for example, tells of a lady who had been taking medicines for angina pectoris (chest pains due to narrowing of the heart’s coronary blood vessels) and had been consuming large quantities of homemade soup seasoned with salt substitute in place of regular salt. She became weak, could not stand, and complained of breathlessness and strange sensations in her limbs. In the hospital, she was found to have potassium intoxication, from which she was rescued with difficulty.
Although the labeling of salt substitutes (Morton’s Lite Salt, Morton’s Salt Substitute, Adolf’s Salt Substitute, No-Salt, Nu-Salt) warns the consumer that they should never be used without the advice of a physician, they can De purchased from supermarkets without a doctor’s prescription. Few people, therefore, are likely to take the warning seriously.
Furthermore, since salt is known to be dangerous for those with high blood pressure or heart failure, salt substitute products are generally thought of positively rather than negatively so far as their effects on health are concerned. Obviously, the public must be made more aware of the potential harm that can be done by salt substitutes.
*223\143\2*
RelatedPosts:
Tags: General health