Recently, I have seen many people in my WeChat circle of friends say that low sodium salt can cause hyperkalemia and have serious consequences, but is this really true? What kind of salt is low sodium salt? What are its benefits? What are the benefits of low sodium salt? With these questions in mind, let’s introduce some general knowledge of “low sodium salt”. 1. What is low sodium salt? As the name implies, that is, the salt contains less sodium, the main component of salt is sodium chloride, low sodium salt is based on iodized salt to reduce the amount of sodium ions, sodium chloride accounted for 70%, adding about 30% of potassium chloride and a small amount of magnesium sulfate, low sodium salt to reduce the amount of sodium, adding other essential electrolytes, “salt reduction is not salty”, both to reduce sodium intake. It can achieve the goal of reducing sodium intake without changing the taste of food preparation, so it has become one of the most recommended preventive measures for hypertension today. 2. Why promote low sodium salt? First of all, low sodium salt has many health benefits. (1) Prevention and control of blood pressure. Excessive sodium intake is one of the risk factors for hypertension, and the northern residents of China have a heavier diet and consume a higher amount of sodium; and a significant proportion of our residents have salt-sensitive hypertension, so it is imperative to limit sodium intake. Improving dietary habits is the main measure of salt restriction to control hypertension, but it is difficult to strictly follow the standard implementation in the north, because it is difficult to change the long-established heavy dietary taste for a while. In addition, middle-aged and elderly people have a preference for heavier tasting foods due to reduced taste function, which leads to higher sodium intake and increased hypertension. In order to adapt to this situation and protect the health of hypertensive patients and high-risk groups, low-sodium salt was born. The country also actively promotes the use of low sodium salt. (2) Maintain the acid-base balance of the body and improve the function of muscles and nerves. The main role of potassium in the body is to maintain acid-base balance, participate in energy metabolism and maintain normal function of neuromuscular. When the body is deficient in potassium, it will cause general weakness, fatigue, weakened heartbeat, dizziness, and serious potassium deficiency will also lead to death by respiratory muscle paralysis. Low potassium can slow down gastrointestinal peristalsis, leading to intestinal paralysis, aggravated anorexia, nausea, vomiting and abdominal distension. Low sodium salt with potassium chloride is a healthy salt, and we should actively promote it. 3. Be cautious when consuming low sodium salt: Although low sodium salt has many benefits, not everyone is suitable to eat low sodium salt, and there are many people who cannot consume low sodium salt. What groups of people should not consume low sodium salt? (1) Patients with chronic kidney disease. Kidney disease should be low sodium diet because their kidney function is poor and sodium excretion is reduced, so sodium intake should be reduced. However, low sodium salt should not be used either, this is because low sodium salt contains more potassium. Kidney patients, especially those with urinary dysfunction (e.g. uremia), if they consume more potassium that cannot be excreted effectively, the accumulation in the body will cause high blood potassium, which will easily cause irregular heart rhythm and the risk of heart failure. (2) Patients with hypertension who are taking potassium-protective diuretics. When taking potassium-protective diuretics such as spironolactone, the drug itself reduces the excretion of potassium to ensure the balance of potassium in the body, and if low-sodium salt is consumed at this time, too much potassium is consumed, resulting in hyperkalemia, which can have very serious consequences. (3) Patients with hyperthyroidism. Low sodium salt is made from iodized salt, which contains iodine. Hyperthyroid patients have hyperthyroidism, and their ability to take in iodine is also hyperactive. 4. What should I do? It is best for hypertensive patients to choose salt under the guidance of a medical professional. Because hypertensive patients need to limit salt, most hypertensive patients can choose low sodium salt. However, patients with chronic kidney disease or those who are taking potassium-protecting diuretics such as spironolactone should use low sodium salt with caution, as should elderly patients with heart failure and hypertension with proteinuria. Patients need proper guidance from their doctors to make the right choice. Patients are advised to consult a medical professional in a cardiovascular department for proper guidance, and not to make their own decisions. Patients should not listen to the news in WeChat, but need evidence.