Hyperglycemia is one of the hallmark characteristics of diabetes mellitus, a disease affecting roughly 25 million Americans, according to the National Diabetes Information Clearinghouse. Diabetes causes many adverse effects on health, including high blood pressure. People with diabetes are often told to reduce salt intake, in order to reduce the risk of high blood pressure. However, the relationship between hyperglycemia and sodium is complex. If you have diabetes and have questions about how much salt you should consume, consult your doctor.
Hyperglycemia and Sodium
Hyperglycemia, or high glucose levels in the blood, is known to cause reductions in blood levels of sodium, also known as hyponatremia. Sodium is required for the proper functioning of many biological processes, including brain and muscle function, and the decrease in sodium caused by hyperglycemia may cause negative health effects.
Mechanism
The exact mechanism linking hyperglycemia to decreased sodium is not fully understood. It appears that high levels of glucose in the blood draw water out of cells and into the blood, to balance the glucose concentration. As the volume of water in the blood increases, this decreases the concentration of sodium and other substances.
Salt and Diabetes
High blood pressure resulting from diabetes causes significant organ damage in people with diabetes. Due to this relationship between diabetes and high blood pressure, a low-sodium diet is often recommended for people with diabetes. Sodium is known to increase blood pressure, and the prevailing theory states that all possible measures should be taken to decrease blood pressure. However, there is emerging evidence that the relationship between salt and diabetes may not be so straightforward.
Benefits of Sodium
The beneficial effects of a low-sodium diet may be outweighed by the negative effects of low blood sodium levels. Low levels of sodium were linked to higher rates of cardiovascular disease and death in a study published in the March 2011 issue of the journal "Diabetes Care." Chronic sodium deficiency has many negative health effects, including reducing insulin sensitivity and possibly worsening the effects of diabetes. Additional research is needed to establish the best recommendations for sodium intake among people with hyperglycemia and diabetes.
References
- National Diabetes Information Clearinghouse: National Diabetes Statistics, 2011
- "Canadian Medical Association Journal"; Hyperglycemia-Induced Hyponatremia: Metabolic Considerations in Calculation of Serum Sodium Depression; J.M. Roscoe, et al.; February 1975
- "Diabetes Care"; Dietary Salt Intake and Mortality in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes; E.I. Ekinci, et al.; March 2011
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