ClaireG 06
Well-Known Member
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canuck1950 said:If we eat more salt than we need, our kidneys are designed to excrete it. Excess consumption is a problem only when this homeostatic mechanism stops functioning properly. This can be the result of too much insulin and too much fructose (through different mechanisms), both of which are corrected when you eat a very low carb diet. The first line treatment for hypertension is a diuretic. You get the same effect when you cut the carbs. If you continue to eat a very low-carb diet you can add salt to your food without fear of retention and the consequent problems. A good way to check to make sure this is the case is to follow your blood pressure. Most people should be able to achieve normal BP without meds and without restricting salt when they eat a very low carb diet. These national campaigns to cut salt are focussing on the wrong problem, treating the symptom rather than the cause.
What do you class as a very low carb diet? I consider myself to have a low to moderate carb diet, i eat to my meter so know what effects my BG levels. However, i am starting insulin on Monday as have big swings in my readings. I also have very high BP,( i take medication but still have very high levels), which is being investagated and has caused me as well as the BG swings to be very ill over the past month. Needing a hospital admission over night on one occasion, several trips to the GP and various other HCPs and 3 visits to A&E the last being only yesterday. I have been told by all these HCPs to avoid salt.