Potassium-enriched Salt Substitute Tied To Lower Stroke-Related Risks

This Study Was A Subgroup Analysis of Participants from the Salt Substitute and Stroke Study (SSASS), A Large Randomized Clinical Trial Driver Across 600 Villages in Northern China. It follows participants for an average of around 5 years.

The Ssass research Howum-enriched Salt Substitute Court the Risk of Stroke, Cardiovascular Major Events, and Mortality Compared to regular Salt.

The substitute was composed of 75% sodium chloride and 25% potassium chloride.

This Subgroup Analysis included 15,249 individuals with a prior history of stroke. The average age of participants was 64 Years, with 54.1% Being Male. Researchers Evaluated Their Data Between November 2023 and August 2024.

Among these participants, There Were 2,735 Cases of Recurrent Strokes, Which Included 691 Fatal Strokes and 2,044 Nonfatal Ones, As Well As 3,242 Recorded Deaths.

The Researchers Found That Thue Using the Salt Substitute Instead of Regular Salt Had at 14% Reduction in the Risk of Recurrent Strokes and to 12% Decree In Overall Mortality Rates.

The results were Even More Pronounced for Hemorrhagic Strokes, 30% Reduction Showing, and for Stroke-Related Deaths, Which DecoSed by 21%.

IMPORTENTLY, The Use of The Potassium-Enriched Salt Substitute Did Not Significantly Increase The Risk of High Potassium Levels (Hyperkalemia).

Diet, Including Salt INTAKE, Plays an Important Role in the Risk of Stroke. Regular Table Salt Contains High Levels of Sodium, Which Can Raise Blood Pressure When consumed in excess.

“Over Time (High Blood Pressure) Causes Increased Stress On The Blood Vessel Walls, Cash Tom To Develop Planks and Narrowing,” Rebecca Dibiase, MD, MPH, Assistant Professor of Vascular Neurology at The Yale New Have Ash Stroke Center, not involved in the Study, Told Medical News Today.

She Explained That “Narrowed Blood Vessels in the Heart Can Make People More Likely to Have Heart Attacks, and Narrowed Blood Vessels Leading To and Inside The Brain Can Make People More Likely to Experience Stroke.”

Thomas M. Holland, MD, MS, A Physician-Scientist and Assistant Professor at The Rush Institute for Healthy Aging, Rush University, College of Health Sciences, Who Was Also Not Involved in The Study, Notted That “Reduved-Sodium replace. -Potassium Salt as replacements help Lower Blood Pressure by Reducting Sodium INTAKE, WHICH DIRECTLY Vascular Reduces Strain. ”

He Also Poated Out That “The Passassium component has to Vasodilatory (Vessel Widening) Effect, Further Enhancing and Helping With Blood Pressure Control.”

HOLLAND EXPLAEDED THAT THE COMBINATION OF DECREASED SODIUM AND INCREASED POTASSIUM “Reduces The Risk of Stroke Recurrence and Stroke-Related Deaths by Mitigating A Major Stke Risk Factor-The Blood Pressure.”

Previous Research Suggests that “Even A Small Reduction in Blood Pressure (As Little As 1 mm Hg) Can Lower Stroke Risk by 5%,” Noted Kiran Campbell, RDN, A Registered Dieitian Specializing in Cardiovascular Health.

Therefore, She Added, “Swapping regular Salt for Potassium-enriched Salt Substitute Offers to Low-Effort, High-Impact Solution for Stroke Survivors.”

Campbell, Who Also Had no Involvement in the Recent Study, Highlightd That The Body’s sodium-to-potassium ratio May Impact Blood Pressure More Significantly Than Sodium or Potassium Alone, particularly in People With High Blood Pressure.

Therefore, While potassium-enriched Salt Substitute May Be a Helpful Option, Campbell Recommends Also Focusing on Increasing Passium-Rich Foods and Minimizing High-Sodium Sources To Promote Heart Health and reduces Stroke Risk.

She Recommends Incorpoating The Following High-Passium Foods:

• potatoes (with the skin on)
• Tomatoes
• bananas
• Avocated
• Canned Or Dried Beans and Lentils
• yogurt
• Leafy Greens
• Unsweened Dried Fruits.

“In Addition to Improving The Sodium-to-Passium Ratio, These Foods Provide Essential Fiber and Phytonutrients That Further Further Promote Cardiovascular Health,” She explain.

She cautioned that those taking certain medications and “People with Kidney Disease or Reded Kidney Function Should Be Careful With Potassium INTAKE AND SHOULD Not use potassium-enriched Salt substitutes. “

Campbell Also recommended practical ways to loower sodium intake, such:

• Seasoning Meals With Herbs and Spices Institute of Salt
• Choking Fresh, Whole Foods Over Highly Processed and Convenience items
• Opting for “No Salt Added” or Low-Sodium Options When Grocery Shopping
• PREPARING MEALS AT HOME INSERAD OF EATING AT RESTAURANTS TO BETTER CONTENT CONTROL.

WHILE Salt Substitutes Show Promise, Experts Agree They Should Be part of A Healthy Diet and Lifestyle for Maximum Benefit.

“As You Can Imagine, Beyond Salt Substitation, Adopting Broader Approach to Dietary Change – Such As Incresh Fruit Fruit and Vegetable Intak and Reducting Intake of Processsed Foods, Fried Fast Foods, Baked Goods – Can Further Enhance Neurovascular and Cardiovascular Health.”

– Thomas Holland, MD, MS

DIBIASE SUGGESTED AN EVENCE-BASED APPROACH, THE DASH DIET (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension). It Focuses on Nutrient-Dense Foods Like Fruits, Vegetables, and Whole Grains While Minimizing Sodium.

“This diet is not very restrictive and can be adopted with subm relativley simple modifications,” She note.

“(Simply) Adopting to Healthier Diet and Exercise habits can go a long way in decreasing peple’s risk of stroke and heart disease,” Said Dibiase.

She Concluded by Exclaiming, “The Earlier We Can Teach This and Have People Implement tohe Changes Every Day, The Healthier Our World Will Be!”