Is Salt Substitute Safe?

Many people need to reduce their salt intake due to medical or dietary conditions. While salt substitutes may seem like a harmless way to reduce salt intake, it may not be the best option for everyone.

Safety Concerns

• Salt substitutes are safe for most healthy people. However, salt substitutes can cause a condition called hyperkalemia, which occurs when there is too much potassium in the bloodstream. This condition is most prevalent in people with kidney problems.

Potassium Chloride

• Salt substitutes often include an ingredient called potassium chloride. Excess potassium may be extremely harmful and potentially fatal for people with heart problems, kidney problems and diabetes.

Case Study

• People who have kidney or liver problems should refrain from using salt substitutes. A February 2002 study published in the "British Medical Journal" by C.J. Doorenbos and C.G. Vermeij, both internist-nephrologists, noted that a 74-year-old women suffering from renal failure had almost immediate near-fatal consequences after taking a salt substitute.

Medical Interactions

• People who take heart medication or diuretics should also avoid using salt substitutes.

Seek Medical Advice

• It is always the safest option to ask your doctor or pharmacist if you have any medical condition or take any medication that will cause an adverse reaction with a salt substitute.