The Metabolic Classroom with Dr. Ben Bikman Are You Eating Enough Salt to Stay Insulin Sensitive?
Apr 2, 2021
Could eating too little salt worsen metabolic issues? Experts discuss the surprising connection between dietary salt and insulin sensitivity, especially for those with type two diabetes. Challenging the myth that low-salt diets are universally beneficial, they reveal how sodium may actually play a crucial role in maintaining health. Personal stories highlight the importance of salt in low-carb lifestyles, urging listeners to reconsider common dietary advice. Tune in for eye-opening insights that could change how you think about salt and your health!
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Salt Raises Blood Volume Temporarily
- Cutting dietary salt is commonly advised because more salt acutely raises blood volume and can raise blood pressure.
- That physiological rationale is valid short-term but doesn't prove long-term benefit for everyone.
Study Used Gold-Standard Insulin Clamp
- A controlled crossover study compared normal versus very low sodium diets in people with type 2 diabetes using a gold-standard insulin sensitivity test.
- The study used the hyperinsulinemic euglycemic clamp to directly measure insulin sensitivity under each diet.
Low Sodium Worsened Insulin Sensitivity
- In the study, lowering dietary sodium did not significantly lower blood pressure for participants with type 2 diabetes.
- Surprisingly, the low-sodium diet caused a meaningful decrease in insulin sensitivity compared with normal sodium.