Menopause Discussion > Alternative Therapies

Salt in your diet

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honeybun:
I thought this article was really interesting especially as I like my salt.

What can too much salt do to you?

Too much salt is known to cause high blood pressure, which can then result in heart diseases.  A sudden hit of salt, such as when eating a packet of crisps, could trigger flushes/sweats and palpitations. Too much salt can also contribute to dehydration, which in turn can cause anxiety, flushes, palpitations, joint pains and dry skin. It is also thought that falling oestrogen levels can make women more salt-sensitive, so even though you may not be taking more than usual it could start having a greater negative effect on your general health.
What foods contain salt?

Just about all processed foods, ready meals, sauces, etc., will have salt in them, including things you may not suspect, such as cereals and tins of tomatoes. Are you aware just how much you are putting on your food at meal times every day on top of what is already in your food? The healthy limit is supposed to be 6g (1 level tsp) per day but many people are unwittingly taking way over this amount!
How can I cut my salt intake down?

The best thing to do is to avoid processed foods etc and slowly reduce your intake at the dinner table.

Here is something you may not know – When you eat a lot of salt, the salt receptors in your tongue start to shut down to protect themselves against the bombardment. This is why people often find that they need increasing amounts of salt in order to ‘taste' food. The good news is that when you reduce your salt intake the receptors eventually start to wake back up and you become far more able to taste the saltiness of mildly seasoned food. Give yourself a few days on a low salt diet and see for yourself.
Please be aware that not all salts are the same!

White table salt is the equivalent of white bread – it has been processed and all the goodness taken out to make it more visually appealing. Real salt such as Sea Salt, Celtic Salt or Himalayan Salt is very different and contains a huge range of minerals necessary for our health. These salts are what is called ‘unrefined', are not white, and are considered beneficial in small amounts.


Honeyb
x

Dorothy:
Interesting that your need for salt can change with age.

I've had more problems from lack of salt - several times I've had muscle cramps and once total collapse due to lack of salt, but the doc did say that is quite unusual!!!

CLKD:
Welcome back Honeybun!

Too much salt is quite a common problem however, GPs kept telling my M in L to cut her salt intake and it almost killed
her  :-\

When she complained of cramp and dizziness I told her to eat more salt, her response was that her GP had told her to reduce it ……… hey ho! when the Consultant saw her blood results he couldn't say how she remained upright!

DH cooks a lot of Indian dishes so uses spices rather than salts ……. we don't eat many processed foods apart from butter, cheese and pizzas …… I do add salt to my chips  ;)

Taz2:
Interesting article Honeybun. The only thing I disagree with is that sea salt is any better for us than table salt. The sodium content is the same so it is just as bad for our health. http://www.worldactiononsalt.com/less/how/other/index.html

Taz x

Hurdity:
Alternatives to HRT  :-\  ;D

My husband has reduced his blood pressure by drastically cutting down salt in his diet - and the effects happened quite quickly. He bought a monitor to keep track of it and I would suggest anyone who is worried should do the same - they aren't expensive.

Hurdity x

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