Effects of a salt-restricted diet on the intake of other nutrients

Abstract

Background: Salt restriction, recommended as the first-line treatment of hypertension, has been proposed to lead to deficiencies in intakes of some other nutrients.

Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of salt restriction for 20 wk on the intake of other nutrients in free-living subjects with mildly elevated blood pressure.

Design: Thirty-nine subjects (24 men, 15 women) aged 28-65 y with a mean daytime ambulatory diastolic blood pressure of 90-105 mm Hg and a diastolic blood pressure measured in a health care center of 95-115 mm Hg participated in the study. The subjects completed 4-d food records and their salt intake was measured by 24-h urinary sodium excretion. The subjects received both oral and written instructions from a clinical nutritionist on how to reduce their daily sodium chloride intake to <5 g/d but were instructed not to change their diet otherwise. The subjects were provided with low-salt bread during the salt-restriction period.

Results: Few changes were found in nutrient intakes. In men, total energy intake decreased by 1059 kJ/d and alcohol, potassium, and vitamin D intakes decreased, but there were no significant changes in energy-adjusted potassium and vitamin D intakes. In women, total potassium intake increased, but the potassium density of the diet remained unchanged. Total selenium intake and energy-adjusted intake of selenium both decreased significantly in women.

Conclusions: Salt restriction can be undertaken in free-living hypertensive subjects without any untoward changes in the intake of other nutrients.