Health
Salt and water
NEWS IN BRIEF — Posted March 1, 2004
Most healthy people already drink enough water and other fluids each day by letting their thirst be their guide, says a new Institute of Medicine report on essential nutrients. But the typical Western diet is too high in salt and too low in potassium for optimal health, the report concludes.
An adequate level of water was set at 125 ounces a day for men and 91 ounces per day for women. The IOM report included caffeinated beverages, juices, milk, fruits and vegetables in the beverage count.
Adults should also consume 4.7 grams of potassium per day to blunt the effects of salt and reduce the risk of kidney stones and bone loss, said an IOM panel. More than 95% of American men and 90% of Canadian men ages 31 to 50 and 75% of American women and 50% of Canadian women in this age range regularly consume salt in excess of the upper limit of 5.8 grams recommended by the report.
About 25% of American adults and more than half of those 60 and older have hypertension, which is linked to high salt intake. Studies indicate that reduced consumption of salt coupled with increased potassium intake can help offset the age-related rise in blood pressure.
The report is one of a series to develop reference values for nutrients that can be used in the United States and in Canada.
Note: This item originally appeared at http://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2004/03/01/hlbf0301.htm.
