EXCESS OF SODIUM AND POTASSIUM DEFICIENCY IN ITALIAN DIET
Excess sodium and potassium deficiency in the diet in Italy
Potassium supplements
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A recent study conducted by professors of the 'University of Naples Federico II illustrates how the excess sodium and potassium intake are inadequate characteristics of the Italian diet and are related to hypertension and cardiovascular disease.
The program MINISAL-GIRCSI was made with the aim of assessing dietary intakes of sodium and potassium in a representative sample of the Italian population, consisting of more than 2,200 subjects (1,168 men and 1,112 women) aged between 35 and 79 years and from 12 different Italian regions. The intake of sodium and potassium was determined on 24-hour urine, a method that allows greater reliability.
Analysis of the results shows average daily excretion of sodium of 189 mmol 147 mmol in men and in women, corresponding to 10.9 g and 8.5 g of salt, respectively. These values are higher than those recommended by the World Health Organization (equivalent to 5 g / day) in 95% of men and 87% of women recruited and are particularly high in people from the regions of Southern Italy (190 mmol / day vs. 196 mmol / day in men and 146 mmol / day vs 155 mmol in women, respectively, in the South and North of the country). They also highlight the association between consumption of salt and overweight cylinder engine.
With regard to the potassium, on the contrary, the average daily excretion was equal to 63 mmol / day and 55 mmol / day, respectively, in men and in women, lower then the values recommended by the main American and European Guidelines (100 mmol / day) in 96% of men and 99% of women. The sodium / potassium ratio, equal to 3.1 and 2.8 in men and women is considerably higher than that considered optimal (equal to 0.85). The contributions are also progressively higher with increasing body mass index.
The results of the present study thus confirms that sodium intake in Italy clearly exceeds the recommended levels, while potassium intake is, on the contrary, lower than these levels. A situation that justifies the adoption of public health strategies aimed at promoting improved dietary intake of these minerals.
Source: Updates in Nutrition and Functional Medicine
Potassium supplements
Supplements Minerals