Low Sodium Diets may be unhealthy according to a new study published in The New England Journal of Medicine.  This is one of those – ‘Flies in the Face of Conventional Wisdom’ studies.   Here is one of the “write-ups” you can get on-line.

This is another “study” adding to the growing mountain of evidence that the levels set by the American Heart Association and our governmental health experts may have over stated the case against salt.

Wars have been fought over salt and now a new war is shaping up over the amount of salt that is good or bad for you. 

Those at the lowest end, as measured by the amount of sodium in their urine, were also at greater risk — a 27 percent increased chance of heart attack, stroke and death from cardiovascular causes, the study found.

This is of particular interest for the Very Low Carb – Ketogenic community.  Check out my review and summary of The Art & Science of Low Carbohydrate Living by Volek & Phinney.  They stress the need for additional salt – 1-2 grams per day – just to make up for the salt excretion on a Ketogenic diet.

If you are really eating a Ketogenic diet, you do not have to fear salt – at least not at the level that someone who relies on Carbs is advised to fear.   I  don’t pay attention to salt.  For the most part, I do not add it to foods – either those I cook – or those I eat elsewhere.  I got into this habit – just because I do not care for the taste of very salty foods.  I have very few convenience foods in the cupboard and those are not “reduced salt” products.  Most of my salt intake is from eating out.

My take-away from this study is simple:  I had better listen to Volek & Phinney and make sure I’m getting enough salt.