Low Sodium Salt

[Drounding]

Thinking of my blood pressure I want to reduce the salt in my diet. I have some low sodium salt (Brand: Saxa So-Low) in which the reduced sodium is primarily taken up with potassium chloride instead. The packet says it contains 50% less sodium than table salt. It has 51% potassium chloride and 48% salt.

There is a health warning on the packet saying that people with heart or kidney problems should consult their doctor before use.

Interestingly when I've had some AF episodes in the past they have tested and found me to have low potassium levels.

I could try and ask my doctor but out of interest does anyone else here use this type of salt?

[BobD Volunteer]

Sorry I only ever use Maldon Sea Salt either in cooking (sparingly) or in a grinder.

[Padayn01]

Use Celtic salt very good do some research on it

[benmaise]

I did use Low Sodium salt for a long time. A few years ago I had low sodium, the doctor said do you use low salt ? I told him I did and he said to stop it and use normal salt. I do but now and again I still have low sodium. The test I had last year was ok.

[HiloHairy]

I use salt substitute that has no sodium whatsoever. From the beginning of my AFib it was clear that sodium was the main trigger. Thus, I cook with herbal seasonings with no salt, mostly from a company called DAK and augment them with salt substitutes made up entirely of potassium. Since I'm in Hawaii USA most of the products and the brands will be different from the ones you can buy in the UK but the theory remains the same

Eating out remains a problem but I stick with restaurants where the management will work with me. This is more of a problem here than in other areas as most of our restaurants are Asian where the go-to seasoning is soy sauce.

[Physalis]

I have just bought my daughter a soup and saute maker, which I can highly recommend. She has been cutting out salt for a long time because of her high blood pressure and I was wondering yesterday how much salt a normal person should add to their diet.

[Threecats]

I did try Lo Salt a few months ago, as, like you, I thought it would be a useful way to up my potassium a bit and cut the sodium down. Unfortunately for me, both times I tried it i had episodes of AF afterwards, so I’ve not touched it since. It may have been coincidental of course but I’m sticking with my sea salt!

[secondtry]

Mmmm..I'm no salt expert but from the little I have read I wouldn't buy any manufactured salt because of the additives. I stick to Malden, Brittany and Himalayan.

[KMRobbo]

Yes I use it ( saxa so low). I have for ages. Can't remember worrying about my AFib though! When they say " heart problems", it's usually heart attack/ physical rather than " arrhythmia".

[Ppiman]

Speaking only for myself, I would shy away from any except the most benign supplements, of which potassium isn't one, unless I had my doctor's approval and blood tests.

Steve

[Singwell]

Interesting. You might like to read what Dr Tim Spector says about salt. Like him, I cut salt out of my diet and it made no difference whatsoever to my BP. We need salt - I think it's about 6gms a day our body needs. And low sodium can impact on 0ur heart function. You'd do better to cut out processed foods, which have hidden high levels of salt in them. Like others here, I use a good quality organic salt. Going for a moderately fast walk every day will be far better for your BP than that packet of expensive low salt...

[Drounding]

Thanks for the feedback everyone. I think I may stick to Himalayan salt.

[Hidden]

I haven't used it, but why not use pepper instead of any extra salt on food? It's often suggested by food writers on health and flavour grounds.

[SuziElley]

I hardly ever use any salt at all. Herbs and spices can be great substitutes for flavour. It’s surprising how much we can enjoy the flavours of the actual ingredients without the addition of salt. Give it a try.