Do you eat too much salt? It can do this to your heart, kidneys

The results of the study, conducted by researchers at The George Institute for Global Health India in collaboration with the Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER), Chandigarh, emphasize the need for personalized changes in diet to reduce the risk of common non-diseases. Has gone. – Communicable diseases (NCDs).

The study focused on the impact of sodium, potassium, phosphorus and protein intake on the risk of developing non-communicable diseases such as high blood pressure, heart disease and chronic kidney disease – rapidly growing health challenges in the country.

The study, published in the journal Frontiers in Nutrition, included more than 400 adult participants, including healthy adults and people with early-stage chronic kidney disease (CKD). It used 24-hour urinary excretion analysis to assess nutrient intake. This method is considered more accurate than dietary recall because it is less likely to contain errors related to memory or portion size estimation. Steps have been taken to ensure the reliability of urine samples for analysis.

Excessive salt intake and inadequate potassium intake both increase the risk of developing high blood pressure, heart disease, and chronic kidney disease.

Men demonstrated higher nutrient intake than women.

“Poor nutritious diet is a major risk element for non-communicable diseases (NCDs), which is of great public health concern. In India, people consume a variety of foods, so it is important to know how to prevent them. “What nutrients are we actually getting to help manage these diseases? High salt intake and low potassium intake point to the need to develop interventions targeted at individuals and societies,” said the institute’s executive. said Professor Vivekananda Jha, director and a neurologist.

The study also emphasizes the importance of accurate dietary assessment to provide personalized advice and develop effective policies.

Emphasizing the urgency of public awareness campaigns, individual counseling and food policy reforms, Jha further said, “The study shows that it is important to have dietary guidelines that are specific to local areas. We need to correct imbalances in nutrients. “There needs to be action to be taken and encourage people to eat more healthily by increasing variety.”

To reduce the risks of non-communicable diseases (NCDs), researchers suggest multi-pronged strategies, including providing better information on food labels so people can make healthy choices, reducing salt in processed foods and encouraging people to Encourage eating more fruits and vegetables rich in potassium. ,

The study also shows how to take proactive steps to fight NCDs to promote a healthy future for North Indian communities.

This project was supported by funding from the Department of Biotechnology, New Delhi, Indian Board of Science and Engineering Research, New Delhi and the Department of Biotechnology-Wellcome Trust, India Alliance.

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Published: March 11, 2024, 04:25 PM IST