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High intake of table salt (sodium chloride) is associated with high blood pressure and an increased risk of cardiovascular disease.^[1] Salt substitutes are low-sodium alternatives designed to taste similar. They usually contain mostly potassium chloride, whose toxicity is approximately equal to that of table salt in a healthy person (the LD₅₀ is about 2.5 g/kg, or approximately 190 g for a person weighing 75 kg). The RDA of potassium is higher than that for sodium, yet a typical person consumes less potassium than sodium in a given day.^{citation needed}

However, various diseases and medications may decrease the body's excretion of potassium, thereby increasing the risk of potentially fatal hyperkalemia. People with kidney failure, heart failure or diabetes should not use salt substitutes without medical advice. A manufacturer, LoSalt, has issued an advisory statement.^[2] that people taking the following prescription drugs should not use a salt substitute: amiloride, triamterene, Dytac, Captopril & angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, spironolactone, Aldactone, Eplerenone, and Inspra.

Hydrolyzed protein^[3] or 5'-nucleotides^[4] are sometimes added to potassium chloride to improve the flavour of salt substitutes.

See also

• Edible salt
• Also Salt

References

1. ^ Scientific Advisory Committee on Nutrition (SACN) Salt and Health (PDF)
2. ^ LoSalt Advisory Statement (PDF)
3. ^ United States Patent 4451494
4. ^ United States Patent 4243691

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• This page was last modified on 3 September 2008, at 20:23.

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