Potassium-Enriched Salt Could Reduce Risk of Millions of Deaths
Replacing ordinary table salt with a potassium-enriched version could prevent 2.96 million deaths from heart and kidney diseases each year, researchers estimated. The modeled benefits covered 193 countries, but the substitute may not be suitable for people with some kidney conditions or medications.
Researchers estimate that replacing ordinary table salt with potassium-enriched salt could prevent 2.96 million deaths each year from heart and kidney diseases worldwide, a finding that puts healthier salt reduce risk at the center of a global health model covering 193 countries.
The intervention could also prevent new cases. The researchers estimated that cases of the conditions would fall by 10.17 million annually.
Potassium-enriched salt replaces some sodium chloride with potassium chloride. Brands named in the report include Morton Lite Salt, Nu-Salt and LOSALT.
The American Heart Association says the substitute works in two ways: it lowers sodium intake and increases potassium. Sodium can raise blood pressure, while potassium can help reduce sodium’s effects and ease tension in blood vessel walls.
The modeled conditions were ischemic heart disease, hypertensive heart disease, stroke and chronic kidney disease. The report estimated that a complete global switch could prevent 2.96 million deaths each year.
More limited changes also produced modeled benefits. Replacing salt used only at home could prevent as many as 1.85 million deaths annually, while replacing 50% of all salt could prevent 1.72 million and replacing 20% could prevent 700,000.
For the United States, the researchers estimated that replacing all salt with the potassium-enriched version could prevent 104,787 deaths and 491,905 new cases of the four conditions each year.
A complete worldwide switch may be difficult in the short term, the report said, in part because potassium-enriched salt costs about twice as much as regular salt.
The substitute is not appropriate for everyone. People with advanced kidney disease, those taking potassium supplements and people using diuretics that prevent potassium loss may face risks because potassium can build up when kidneys do not remove it efficiently.
In extreme cases, excess potassium can cause nausea, vomiting or an irregular heart rate. The report advises people considering a switch to consult a doctor, particularly if they have kidney concerns or take medication that could affect potassium levels.
A study published by the American Heart Association recommends that people with high blood pressure consider the switch with a doctor’s approval. It recommends a mix of 75% salt and 25% potassium chloride, used as a one-for-one replacement, and cautions against adding more salt.
