title: Dietary sodium and health: more than just blood pressure.
abstract: Sodium is essential for cellular homeostasis and physiological function. Excess dietary sodium has been linked to elevations in blood pressure (BP). Salt sensitivity of BP varies widely, but certain subgroups tend to be more salt sensitive. The mechanisms underlying sodium-induced increases in BP are not completely understood but may involve alterations in renal function, fluid volume, fluid-regulatory hormones, the vasculature, cardiac function, and the autonomic nervous system. Recent pre-clinical and clinical data support that even in the absence of an increase in BP, excess dietary sodium can adversely affect target organs, including the blood vessels, heart, kidneys, and brain. In this review, the investigators review these issues and the epidemiological research relating dietary sodium to BP and cardiovascular health outcomes, addressing recent controversies. They also provide information and strategies for reducing dietary sodium.
authors.affiliation: Department of Kinesiology & Applied Physiology, College of Health Sciences, University of Delaware, Newark, Delaware.
authors.forename: William B
authors.initials: WB
authors.lastname: Farquhar
authors.affiliation: Department of Kinesiology & Applied Physiology, College of Health Sciences, University of Delaware, Newark, Delaware.
authors.forename: David G
authors.initials: DG
authors.lastname: Edwards
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Section of Cardiology, Christiana Care Outcomes Research Center, Christiana Care Health System, Newark, Delaware.
authors.forename: Claudine T
authors.initials: CT
authors.lastname: Jurkovitz
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Section of Cardiology, Christiana Care Outcomes Research Center, Christiana Care Health System, Newark, Delaware. Electronic address: wweintraub@christianacare.org.
authors.forename: William S
authors.initials: WS
authors.lastname: Weintraub
mesh_terms: D001741:Black or African American; D000818:Animals; D001341:Autonomic Nervous System / Q000502:physiology; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology*; D002302:Cardiac Output / Q000502:physiology; D015438:Health Behavior; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000208:ethnology; D012982:Sodium, Dietary / Q000494:pharmacology*; D014655:Vascular Resistance / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D012982:Sodium, Dietary
keywords: dietary sodium chloride; hypertension; kidney; sodium-restricted diet