Restricting salt can cause insulin resistance.
I’ve been meaning to talk about this for a while and was recently reminded how awesome salt is, so here it goes!
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There are many factors that can contribute to insulin resistance (PUFAs, iron, etc). Salt restriction is often overlooked, but can definitely a driver.
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When we don’t have enough salt, our stress hormones and blood pressure increase. So does our insulin resistance.
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“Low-salt (LS) diet activates the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone and sympathetic nervous systems, both of which can increase insulin resistance (IR).” (PMID: 21036373)
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“Dietary salt restriction, which increases aldosterone levels, is also associated with an increase in insulin resistance.” (PMID: 22499218).
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Salt is especially important during pregnancy, mostly importantly for baby's neurological development. But it’s also important in helping manage blood sugar during pregnancy.
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"...research has shown that low salt intake can worsen blood sugar and insulin resistance, both of which are undesirable during pregnancy." — Lily Nichols, R.D.
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For some reason, salt still has a pretty bad rap. This is just a friendly PSA that salt is actually REALLY GOOD for you.
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That said, this doesn’t mean go down a bunch of salt. Increasing salt has to be done in a smart way.
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My favorite way to get salt? Sprinkling it on my eggs, on fruit, in my bone broth, on my meat and in my adrenal cocktails.
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What’s your favorite way to get salt?
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Not medical advice.
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This is not medical advice. Always consult your healthcare professional before pursuing any changes to your personal healthcare regime.
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References
Fallon, S. Cowan, T.S. (2013, 2015). The Nourishing Traditions Book of Baby and Child Care. Washington, D.C.: NewTrends Publishing.
Functional Performance Systems. (2012). Aldosterone, Sodium Deficiency, and Insulin Resistance. Retrieved from: https://www.functionalps.com/blog/2012/07/16/aldosterone-sodium-deficiency-and-insulin-resistance/.
Functional Performance Systems. (2012). Low Sodium Diet: High FFA, Insulin Resistance, Atherosclerosis. https://www.functionalps.com/blog/2012/08/21/low-sodium-diet-high-ffa-insulin-resistance-atherosclerosis/.
Garg, R. Williams, G.H. Hurwitz, S. Brown, N.J. Hopkins, P.N. Adler, G.K. (2011). Low-salt diet increases insulin resistance in healthy subjects. Retrieved from: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21036373/.
Garg, R. Adler, G.K. (2012). Role of mineralocorticoid receptor in insulin resistance. Retrieved from: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22499218/.
Nichols, L. (2018). Real Food for Pregnancy. United States.
Prada, O.P. Coelho, M.S. Zecchin, H.G. Dolnikoff, M.S. Gasparetti, A.L. Furukawa, L.N.S. Saad, M.J.A. Heimann, J.C. (2005). Low salt intake modulates insulin signaling, JNK activity and IRS-1ser307 phosphorylation in rat tissues. Retrieved from: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15930169/.
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