Lower sodium intake reduces blood pressure in adults and children, but is not associated with a reduced risk of all CVD or all cause mortality

Commentary on: Aburto NJ, Ziolkovska A, Hooper L, et al.. Effect of lower sodium intake on health: systematic review and meta-analyses. BMJ 2013;346:f1326 Context More than half a century has passed since the idea that the lower blood pressure (BP) associated with lower sodium intake justifies reduced intake for all. Authoritative bodies have subsequently endorsed this view with increasingly ambitious reduction goals. The US Department of Agriculture and US Department of Health and Human Services currently recommend <1.5 g sodium/day for virtually half the population, with <2.3 g1 levels for the remainder. While in much of the world, including the UK and the USA, mean sodium intake approximates 3.5 g/day.2 However, emerging evidence has led to increased uncertainty that, despite BP effects, there is insufficient evidence to support these recommendations.3 Methods Aburto and colleagues have updated their previous meta-analysis of the relationship...
Source: Evidence-Based Medicine - Category: Internal Medicine Authors: Tags: EBM Aetiology, Epidemiologic studies, Drugs: cardiovascular system, Drugs: CNS (not psychiatric), Stroke, Hypertension, Diet, Obesity (nutrition), Ischaemic heart disease, Health education Source Type: research