Salt Restriction and Practical Aspects to Improve Compliance

Salt as a commodity to preserve and flavor food and to treat ailments has been in existence for hundreds of years. Sodium (salt) restriction to treat hypertension and fluid retention has been practiced for several decades. More recently, evidence-based best practice guidelines have been developed and published on websites to guide medical and healthcare practitioners to treat patients with hypertension, heart disease, chronic kidney disease, and other sodium-sensitive conditions. As the consequences of hypertension affect many people around the world, the World Health Organization is involved in helping to prevent the development of hypertensive risk factors by advocating a global reduction in salt and a healthy lifestyle. Many governments have or are in the process of adapting these recommendations for local implementation. This paper provides information about existing guidelines for healthy individuals and patients with chronic kidney disease and practical aspects to achieve a lifelong change in dietary habits. (C) 2009 by the National Kidney Foundation, Inc. All rights reserved.