'Posh' salt is as harmful to health as ordinary table salt

'Posh' salt is as harmful to health as ordinary table salt. - Apologies: I should have written about this in November when it was in the news. Still, better late than never. - The Guardian reported on a Consensus Action on Salt and Health study, which found that there is widespread misunderstanding in the matter of different sorts of salt sold, and that many people buying the gourmet-type salts like rock salt, sea salt, Maldon Salt, Himalayan Salt and Fleur de Sel, mistakenly thought that the expensive salts were better for health than ordinary Saxa Table Salt. "In the study the sodium chloride and moisture content of seven different salt products available from supermarkets and online were analysed – including "posh" salts such as Maldon and Himalayan (Best Care Products) and Saxa table salt. Sodium and chloride combine to form salt (NaCl), the combination of minerals which puts up our blood pressure leading to strokes, heart failure and heart disease and also linked to osteoporosis, stomach cancer and kidney disease. Cash said the results show they all contain just as much sodium chloride as each other."

I don't know why they stress the sodium chloride (NaCl) content as such; it is the sodium ion content specifically that puts up blood pressure and causes fluid retention/water weight/obesity and heart damage and all the other degenerative disorders that develop in people vulnerable to salt/sodium. The chloride ions are only the associates of the baddie sodium ions; they are not themselves the baddies.

The nonsense spouted by the manufacturers of the expensive salts - nonsensical claims that their products are not harmful - should be filed with the claims made long ago by tobacco manufacturers that their products did not cause cancer, etc. and were not addictive. Lies for profits. Dishonesty for gain. Drivel for the gullible.

What did the ill-mannered sexist NHS consultant say to the female patient recently diagnosed as having Breast Cancer?

Well, almost unbelievably now we are living in the 21st Century, he said, "You're a big girl, aren't you?" - This is the language of the Carry On films. It should not be the language of a health professional to a woman patient in her fifties, especially one trying to come to terms with a diagnosis of a serious illness, with particularly sensitive emotional overtones for a woman.

I heard from my friend, Jane, recently, telling me of the breast cancer. She already has a bad back problem she was born with and a bad leg from a motor accident years ago, and osteoporosis, and has been a wheelchair user for many years. But despite her usual brave struggle with the daily difficulties experienced by a disabled person in our country, this casual, uncalled-for impertinence had upset her very greatly and she dreads the prospect of seeing this guy again. She has made a complaint about his rudeness, but the NHS is notorious for not taking complaints seriously and for doing nothing about them.

Fortunately I was, at any rate, able to offer some positive suggestions for her. I've been reading from several sources recently that sugar feeds cancer, and of course it has no nutritional value anyway, so I suggested that she try cutting down on sugar. I also suggested that she change to using pastured butter (see my previous entry about this, posted on Sunday, 8 August 2010) and that she get hold of some delicious probiotic whole milk organic yoghurt so that these healthy dairy products can improve her bone health at any rate. She already avoids salt and takes calcium and vitamin D3 as a result of my recommending them to her in the past.

Professor Graham MacGregor calls for more awareness of salt intake

His concern is reported here. He said, "Making sure salt intake is kept to an absolute minimum is essential in the diets of babies and children as too much of it can prove fatal for a youngster." And he "went on to point out the wide range of illnesses which salt intake can contribute to, from kidney disease to stomach cancer and osteoporosis."

If only he would explain that eating salt and salty food is the primary cause of child obesity! And that the safe, easy way to reduce obesity is to reduce salt intake!

See Children and Obesity

Sodium in foods

Read my Mensa article on Obesity and the Salt Connection

Associated health conditions

Lose weight, reduce your risk of most cancers, high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, heart disease, heart attack, vascular dementia, stroke, osteopenia, osteoporosis, osteomalacia, hypercholesterolaemia, depression, liver and kidney problems, boost your lung function and improve your health in many other ways without drugs, hunger or expense by eating less salt! - Try it!

See my website www.wildeaboutsteroids.co.uk
The site does not sell anything and has no banners or sponsors or adverts - just helpful information.

Fat retention and fat excretion: the importance of getting enough calcium.

Vitamin D treatment transformed Susan White's life.

Reported in this Northern Echo article. Susan White had osteomalacia, a very painful condition caused by vitamin D deficiency. Bones are weakened by this illness and so there is a greater risk of fractures.

Following two spinal fractures, Susan White's condition was mistakenly attributed to osteoporosis, but fortunately for her she later received the correct diagnosis of osteomalacia, for which the treatment is vitamin D. Like Susan White, I too suffered from osteomalacia many years ago, and like her, was told that it was osteoporosis and in consequence years later was put onto HRT, which caused me very great harm. I should of course have been treated with vitamin D for the osteomalacia, but Dr Nigel Bax actively sought to dissuade me even from taking vitamin D off my own bat. He thus set in train a disastrous accumulation of damage to my health. I'm pleased that Susan White has been spared a lot of unnecessary suffering by having her problem correctly diagnosed.

Vitamin D deficiency is widespread and on the increase

A new report issued by the International Osteoporosis Foundation (IOF) and published in the scientific journal Osteoporosis International, shows that populations across the globe are suffering from the impact of low levels of vitamin D. The problem is widespread and on the increase, with potentially severe repercussions for overall health and fracture rates.
Read article at physorg.com

False Health Claims for Cheerios Violate Federal Law

Bloomberg reports that Cheerios are in trouble because of claiming to lower cholesterol and reduce the risk of heart disease and cancer.

I'd like to point out that Cheerios is extremely high in salt/sodium, and so for this reason too, cannot possibly be regarded as a healthy food.

Lose weight, reduce your risk of most cancers, high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, heart disease, heart attack, vascular dementia, stroke, osteopenia, osteoporosis, hypercholesterolaemia, depression, liver and kidney problems, and improve your health in many other ways without drugs, hunger or expense by eating less salt! - Try it!

See my website www.wildeaboutsteroids.co.uk
The site does not sell anything and has no banners or sponsors or adverts - just helpful information.

Read my Mensa article on Obesity and the Salt Connection

http://www.wildeaboutsteroids.co.uk/story.html - my 'political' page

http://www.wildeaboutsteroids.co.uk/socio.html - social and economic considerations

amitriptyline

prescribed steroids and HRT

See advice for pregnant mothers

Children and Obesity

Associated health conditions

and FAT RETENTION

A high salt intake is a major cause of renal stones and also of osteoporosis/osteopenia in humans.

When bones are weakened by osteoporosis/osteopenia we tend to think of calcium and of drugs to help with the problem, but what about cutting down on salt? This also helps with renal stones.

See this extremely interesting information: World Action on Salt and Health (WASH)

Look at this amazing quotation from the website:

"It was calculated that a modest reduction in salt intake from 10g to 5g would have the same effect on hip bone density as an increase in calcium intake of 1000mg, a difficult amount to achieve without resorting to supplements."

And this:

"Diuretics, through a reduction in extra cellular volume, reduce calcium excretion leading to a positive calcium balance, increase bone density and reduce bone fractures."

Georgian seniors need nutrient supplementation, finds study

Researchers at the University of Georgia (UGA) report that elderly people across the state are largely deficient in vitamin D, calcium and B12, and should consider dietary supplementation. The new study conducted by nutrition researchers at the university noted that nutrient deficiencies are making the elderly more vulnerable to chronic health problems such as osteoporosis, anemia and cognitive impairment.
Read article at nutraingredients-usa.com

Report Links Osteoporosis Drug to Esophagus Cancer

Fosamax May Be Tied to 23 Cases of Esophageal Cancer, Report Says
There could be some worrying news for the tens of millions of Americans currently taking Fosamax. A brief report published today in the New England Journal of Medicine suggests a possible link between the osteoporosis drug and the development of esophageal cancer.
Read article on the ABC News website (USA)

Study Links Osteoporosis Drugs to Jaw Trouble

The proportion of people taking widely prescribed oral osteoporosis drugs who develop a nasty jaw condition may be much higher than previously thought, a new study suggests. Previous reports had indicated that the risk of developing osteonecrosis of the jaw (ONJ) from bisphosphonates in pill form were "negligible," although there was a noted risk in people taking the higher-dose intravenous form of the drug. But Dr. Parish Sedghizadeh, an assistant professor of clinical dentistry at the University of Southern California School of Dentistry in Los Angeles, said his clinic is seeing one to four new cases a week, compared to one a year in the past. This led him to investigate the phenomenon and publish the findings in the Jan. 1 issue of the Journal of the American Dental Association. "This is more frequent than everybody would like to think it is," said Sedghizadeh, lead author of the study.
Read article in the Washington Post (USA)

Prednisone - Steroid-Induced Osteoporosis - Bones at risk!

Steroid-Induced Osteoporosis
Long-term use of prednisone could cost you the health of your bones.

I came across the website with the link above. It is very interesting and informative. Here you may read about steroids such as prednisone being prescribed to decrease inflammation during an acute flare-up of IBD. You may like to consider whether the potential harm from the prednisone is actually worth the relief of the inflammation. There is also information about statins and about risk factors in the formation of cataracts and the development of glaucoma.

If I had my time again, speaking for myself I'd avoid prescription drugs as though they were poison. - I'd put my trust in plenty of good nutritious food, no added salt and absolutely NO DIETING! But obviously we must all do what we think best.

I definitely don't recommend weak bones...)o: - I had a fall in August last year. - It wasn't a big fall but it made a real mess of my right arm, and delay in getting it operated on lost me the use of my right hand for months - and appalling pain - pain that hasn't gone... Guard your bones! - You won't get another set...

Calcium and vitamin D can help.

And you can also reduce the harm done by prednisone and other steroids by cutting out salt from your meals.

See Sodium in foods

and prescribed steroids and HRT

Pfizer’s Osteoporosis Drug, Fablyn, May Cause Deaths

The drugmaker’s once-a-day tablet, which is under development and called Fablyn, may increase the chances of death from cancer or stroke, according to an FDA review posted on the agency web site in advance of a September 8 advisory committee meeting.
Read article at pharmalot.com

Lose weight, reduce your risk of most cancers, high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, stroke, heart disease, heart attack, vascular dementia, osteopenia, osteoporosis, hypercholesterolaemia, depression, liver and kidney problems, and improve your health in many other ways without drugs or expense by eating less salt! - Try it! - You will feel so much better!

Read my Mensa article on Obesity and the Salt Connection

And see Sodium in foods and

Associated health conditions

Vitamin D deficiency increases hip fracture risk

US researchers have concluded lower blood concentrations of vitamin D increase the likelihood of hip fracture among menopausal women by up to 70 per cent.
Read article at nutraingredients.com

Lose weight, reduce your risk of most cancers, high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, stroke, heart disease, vascular dementia, osteopenia, osteoporosis, hypercholesterolaemia, depression, liver and kidney problems, and improve your health in many other ways without drugs or expense by eating less salt! - Try it! - You will feel so much better!

vulnerable groups

See Sodium in foods

Acid reflux drugs may increase risk of fractures

Drugs commonly prescribed to fight acid reflux disease may significantly increase the risk of fractures in people suffering from osteoporosis, a study by Canadian researchers reveals.
Read article in the Globe and Mail (Canada)

Major causes of ill health are the chronic degenerative diseases Heart disease, Hypertension, Stroke, Cancer, Diabetes, Osteoporosis and Alzheimers.

You can reduce the risk of ALL of these by cutting down on salt and salty food.

See Health problems associated with salt sensitivity and fluid retention

Lose weight, reduce your risk of most cancers, high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, stroke, heart disease, angina, vascular dementia, osteopenia, osteoporosis, hypercholesterolaemia, depression, liver and kidney problems, and improve your health in many other ways without drugs or expense by eating less salt! - Try it! - You will feel so much better!

See my website http://www.wildeaboutsteroids.co.uk/.html (The site does not sell anything and has no banners or sponsors or adverts - just helpful information.)

Read my Mensa article on Obesity and the Salt Connection

See Sodium in foods

Taking aspirin every day could help to prevent the painful bone-wasting disease osteoporosis, scientists believe.

An aspirin a day 'could help prevent osteoporosis'
Article in the Telegraph

Here is an extract, but it is probably best to read the whole article:

"The pain killer could offer a new treatment against the condition, also known as "brittle bone" disease.

Research has shown that the drug can help increase bone density in mice. It could prevent the premature death of bone forming cells in the animals.

Aspirin also blocked the effects of other cells which act destructively on the bones."

If you wish to avoid taking aspirin, you can also reduce your risk of osteoporosis by avoiding salt and salty food and by avoiding dieting.

See http://www.wildeaboutsteroids.co.uk/sodium_foods.html and

http://www.wildeaboutsteroids.co.uk/conditions.html

Don't damage your health and your looks by dieting! - To lose weight JUST EAT LESS SALT!

Lose weight, reduce your risk of most cancers, high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, stroke, heart disease, angina, vascular dementia, osteopenia, osteoporosis, hypercholesterolaemia, depression, liver and kidney problems, and improve your health in many other ways without drugs or expense by eating less salt! - Try it! - You will feel so much better!

See my website http://www.wildeaboutsteroids.co.uk/.html (The site does not sell anything and has no banners or sponsors or adverts - just helpful information.)

Read my Mensa article on Obesity and the Salt Connection

Children and Obesity

vulnerable groups

See Sodium in foods and

Associated health conditions

amitriptyline

prescribed steroids and HRT

advice for pregnant mothers

http://www.wildeaboutsteroids.co.uk/socio.html - social and economic considerations

Eating salt can weaken your bones. - Lay off salt and salty food to reduce your risk of brittle bones/osteoporosis/osteopenia.

There are many health problems caused by or associated with salt intake.

See Sodium in foods and

Associated health conditions

Carers failed by benefits system - Guardian

Extract:

"The punishing financial implications of looking after a disabled or chronically ill relative are revealed in new research that shows almost three-quarters of people are worse off as a result of caring.

Carers have been forced to cut back on food and heating and even sell their homes to offset the financial burden, according to the report by Carers UK. The charity also said the situation was likely to get worse, as it predicted an additional three million carers would be needed over the next 30 years. Campaigners said the findings proved the current benefit system does not work in the interests of carers and called for a full review into the incomes and services of those providing unpaid support."

You can reduce your risk of developing degenerative diseases like osteoporosis, heart disease, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, kidney failure, liver disease, arthritis, stroke, type 2 diabetes, dementia, obesity, enlarged heart and many other illnesses by cutting down on the amount of salt and salty food that you eat. - See http://www.wildeaboutsteroids.co.uk/conditions.html

Lose weight by eating less salt! Go on! - Try it! - You will feel so much better!
See my website www.wildeaboutsteroids.co.uk
(The site does not sell anything and has no banners or sponsors or adverts - just helpful information.)

A new osteoporosis drug

Osteoporosis drug offers women hope - Telegraph

Extracts:

"Women who are given an annual treatment for post-menopausal osteoporosis are less likely to suffer a broken hip or other fractures than those taking daily or weekly pills, according to a study to be published today.

Patients given a drip into the back of the hand of zoledronic acid, sold as Aclasta, cut the risk of hip breaks by 41 per cent and spinal breaks by 70 per cent compared to patients given a placebo.

Around half a million women in the UK take drugs such as alendronate and risedronate, known as bisphosphonates, in pill form daily or weekly to treat post-menopausal osteoporosis.

However, around half of patients stop taking the pills within a year.

The National Osteoporosis Society estimates that more than 60,000 hip and 120,000 spinal fractures take place each year in the UK.

Approximately one in five people die within three months of breaking their hip, which accounts for around 14,000 deaths annually.

Bone density is reduced in patients with osteoporosis, leading to greater risk of fractures.

Hormonal changes during the menopause put women at greater risk."

"Writing in The New England Journal of Medicine, lead researcher Prof Dennis Black, of the University of California, San Francisco, said: "During a three-year period, an annual infusion of zoledronic acid significantly reduced the risk of fracture at all key osteoporotic fracture sites including vertebral and hip fractures.

"A regimen of infusions once a year appears to ensure that patients will have a full treatment effect for at least 12 months.

"In contrast, many patients who receive prescriptions for oral bisphosphonates stop treatment, and most appear to be taking less than 80 per cent of their prescribed pills by 12 months."

The researchers said the infusion reduced the risk of spinal fractures by significantly more than the daily and weekly pills currently in use. Novartis, the company that manufactures the drug, hopes it will be available in the UK by the autumn."

"However, an abnormal heart rhythm, which can increase the risk of a stroke, was nearly three times more common among the 3,889 volunteers who took the Novartis drug.

The most common side effects with Aclasta were fever, muscle pain, flu-like symptoms, headache, and bone pain."

Osteoporosis can also be caused or exacerbated by 'slimming'/dieting. Give up dieting! - Safeguard your bone density by eating good, healthy meals and cutting down on salt and salty food.

Lose weight by eating less salt! Go on! - Try it! - You will feel so much better!
See my website www.wildeaboutsteroids.co.uk
(The site does not sell anything and has no banners or sponsors or adverts - just helpful information.)