Can I use a potassium based salt instead of normal sea salt to control the sodium intake?

[nishahathi]

[Hidden]

Hello nishahathi.

Have you got your blood results in print out at all? If so, have a look at the 'kidney' part and there are various salts on that, sodium one, potassium another.

You see you can also become high in potassium as well as sodium.

I don't put salt in any of the foods I prepare as I think there is enough in foods that can naturally occur. Certain prepared foods can have salt added to them.

The best advice here would be to ask a doctor or dietician with regards to this question as like everyone on here with PBC we are not really qualified to state and you will ultimately find you get varies theories here.

On another note, I do not have anything at all with monosodium glutamate (MSG). I also do not have anything if possible with artificial sweeteners as I don't reckon they are good.

[nishahathi in reply to Hidden]

I don't give my husband artificial sweeteners or msg either but Indian food is generally little salty as well as spicy. It is very difficult to like the Indian food with less salt. As far as his kidney results are concerned , they are normal and my doctors say that he can have normal food but with less oil. Everything is so confusing. I don't know what is good and what is bad for him. Please guide me if you think he should not have certain kind of food.

[Hidden]

Hello again nishahathi.

Well I too was informed I could eat normally when I was diagnosed with PBC in Dec 2010. I think drinking alcohol for eg is something that is best avoided though not strictly forbidden. Some with PBC have the odd glass of alcohol but I chose to not bother at all after my first abnormal bloods in earlier 2010. I've not missed alcohol purely due to the fact I wasn't much of a drinker prior.

I do think cutting back on oils is sensible due to the fact that bile helps to break down oils, it acts like a detergent.

I thought I used to eat healthily prior to developing PBC and all I feel I can do personally is to continue to eat as healthily as possible with PBC.

Apparently a tip with regards to PBC it is often said that it is better eating little and often as opposed to having large meals.

If you are cooking your own meals then it might be a good idea to use less salt than would normally be used and perhaps add slightly more of another ingredient? I am not knowledeable with regards to Indian foods and certain others. I think with regards to food though if one was to cut slightly back on an ingredient and then reduce over time one's taste buds would adapt. I remember when I was aged 11 many years ago and I decided one day I didn't want sugar in tea/coffee so just cut out straightaway. It was fine for me but I can remember how different the drinks tasted for a while. But I know a lot of people would reduce the sugar content gradually and not notice.

I expect if your husband's no problems kidney-related at present due to eating salt then he appears fine at present but also high salt content in the diet is apparently a known cause of high blood pressure.