Synopsis
A recent international study reveals that potassium-enriched salt can significantly reduce the risk of recurrent strokes and mortality. This finding supports WHO's recommendation for potassium salt to manage hypertension and heart-related risks effectively.Key Takeaways
- Potassium-enriched salt can lower recurrent stroke risks.
- Study involved over 15,000 participants.
- Stroke-related deaths decreased by 21%.
- WHO recommends potassium salt for hypertension management.
- Salt substitution is a safe, low-cost intervention.
New Delhi, Feb 11 (NationPress) Potassium-enriched salt can notably diminish the likelihood of experiencing a recurrent stroke and mortality, as revealed by an international research study.
This research emerges following the World Health Organization's (WHO) new guidance advocating the consumption of potassium-enriched salt as a strategy to mitigate hypertension and associated cardiovascular risks.
Stroke is a predominant cause of mortality and disability, with recurrent strokes posing a substantial risk. Elevated sodium consumption coupled with inadequate potassium intake are identified as significant risk contributors.
According to the researchers, which included experts from China, Australia, and the UK, the findings indicate that potassium salt substitutes considerably lowered the chances of stroke recurrence and death, presenting a novel and feasible therapeutic alternative for stroke patients.
The randomized clinical trial incorporated 15,249 participants from China who had previously encountered a stroke.
Participants were instructed to utilize either a salt substitute comprising 75 percent sodium chloride and 25 percent potassium chloride by weight or standard salt.
The results, published in JAMA Cardiology, demonstrated a 14 percent reduction in recurrent strokes within the potassium salt substitute group compared to those using regular salt.
A total of 2,735 recurrent stroke incidents were documented, with 691 resulting in fatalities and 2,044 being nonfatal.
Instances of hemorrhagic stroke exhibited a relative reduction of 30 percent, while stroke-related fatalities decreased by 21 percent. The researchers also noted no significant disparity in hyperkalemia (excess potassium levels) between the two groups.
The researchers emphasized, “The results from this cluster trial confirm that salt substitution was safe and resulted in diminished risks of stroke recurrence and mortality, highlighting the substantial health benefits from promoting this economical intervention among stroke patients.”
Recent guidelines from the WHO advocate for the use of K-salt or potassium chloride instead of typical table salt, which is high in sodium. K-salt may aid in diminishing hypertension risks, which can lead to cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) and chronic kidney ailments by lowering blood pressure.
Additionally, it helps to decrease the risks associated with high sodium consumption, such as gastric cancer.
According to the WHO, annually, 8 million individuals perish due to poor dietary choices. Among these, 1.9 million deaths are linked to excessive sodium intake.
