The ingredients in table salt play important roles in your nutrition, but if you're diabetic, you need to pay close attention to your sodium intake. Too much sodium can raise your blood pressure and put you at risk for stroke, heart disease and kidney disease. In addition, a high-sodium diet can damage your eyes. As a diabetic you can reduce your risk of these complications by reducing the salt in your diet, keeping your blood sugar level in check, taking your medication as prescribed and getting more physical activity.
Diabetes and Hypertension
People with diabetes have a greater risk of developing high blood pressure. A salty diet can raise your blood pressure. If you are diabetic, the salt in your diet can make your blood pressure worse than it would in people who are not diabetic. In addition, if you take medication for your hypertension and still eat too much salt, your diet can counteract the benefits of your medicine. The good news is limiting your sodium intake can reduce your hypertension, as well as the related complications. High blood pressure in diabetics is associated with stroke and heart attack. In addition, too much salt can reduce the flow of plasma to your kidneys. Reducing sodium can improve your heart, stop the waste of potassium in your diet, reduce protein in your urine, and protect you from osteoporosis and kidney stones.
Prevalence
According to a report published in the "Journal of Human Hypertension" in 2002, the majority of diabetics with high blood pressure have a form called "essential hypertension." That means your blood pressure is consistently higher than normal with no apparent cause. More than 90 percent of diabetics have a problem with hypertension.
Diabetes, Salt and Your Eyes
Eating a high-calorie diet that also is high in sodium can increase the risk of eye damage, a condition called diabetic retinopathy, or DR. In the January 2010 issue of "Archives of Ophthalmology," researchers say that diabetics who ate too much salt had a higher risk for macular edema, which involves a buildup of fluid or protein in the eye. It blurs your vision and can lead to blindness. The study recommends not just cutting salt but reducing calories in general to avoid DR.
Safe Sodium Intake and Blood Pressure Levels
If you have diabetes, your blood pressure would be too high at 130/80 mmHG. If you have kidney problems, aim for 125/75. The American Association of Diabetes Educators advises that you reduce your daily sodium intake to no more than 2,400mg. That's about a teaspoon's worth. In a review of research, the American Diabetes Association reports that cutting your salt intake by 8.5g each day could reduce your blood pressure by 7/3 mmHg. In the "Journal of Human Hypertension" study, researchers say it takes about five weeks to see the full effect.
Major Sodium Food Sources
Americans get most of their sodium from bread, chicken and beef dishes, pizza, pasta, condiments, Mexican food, cheese, grain-based desserts, soups, cold cuts, sausage, hot dogs, bacon, and ribs. These foods contribute about 56 percent of the sodium in the average American's diet, or nearly 2,000mg a day, notes the ADA. Watch out for salad dressings, soups and some cereals too.
Salt Alternatives and Lowering Sodium
A preference for salt can be trained, according to the Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee. Once you cut down, you won't want as much. Your body only needs 180mg per day to balance fluids. Talk to your health care provider and ask whether a potassium-rich diet would be beneficial for you. Potassium blocks the effect of salt on blood pressure, but in people with certain health problems, too much potassium can worsen their conditions. Season your foods with fresh herbs. Taste food before adding salt, rinse canned vegetables and remove the salt shaker from the table.
References
- Diabetes Forecast: The Benefits of Reducing Salt Intake
- Nature.com: Salt Intake, Hypertension and Diabetes Mellitus
- PubMed: High Caloric and Sodium Intakes as Risk Factors for Progression of Retinopathy in Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus
- Wiley Online Library: High Sodium and Low Potassium Intake in Patients With Type 2 Diabetes
