What are the health effects that women can have if they go on low-salt diets?

Dr Nadar explains that our body needs 5-8 grams of salt each day. If this need isn’t fulfilled, we can experience: Nausea Dizziness Blackouts Low blood pressure Muscle cramps or soreness Hair loss Electrolyte imbalance Severe headaches Migraine Dehydration Muscle tone weakness Constipation Irregular heart rate Fluctuations in blood sugar Extreme weakness There are other long-term impacts as well.

Is a low-salt diet recommended to anyone at all?

Yes, it is. A low-salt diet is recommended to certain medical groups – people who have kidney problems, people who are on dialysis, have hypertension or high blood pressure, among others. But even these medical groups are not asked to cut off salt from their diets completely. “They need 3–4 grams of salt per day. They are asked to switch to low-sodium salts like Himalayan salt, rock salt,” Dr Nadar says.

Why are middle-aged women following low-salt diets?

“Women are told that they need to look a certain way which is why they go on these fad diets or starve themselves.” Dr Namita Nadar

Are there healthier diet options that middle-aged women who want to lose weight can follow?

Yes. Both Dr Nadar and Dr Rohatgi suggest: Opt for a calorie deficit diet Practice portion control Add fiber to your diet Opt for a plant-grown diet Avoid processed foods Try to be active physically Drink enough unsweetened fluids throughout the day to flush out any toxins

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Sridevi’s Death: What Is a Low-Salt Diet & Why Do Nutritionists Warn Against It?

Q: What is a low-salt diet?

Salt, like sugar, is a micronutrient that attracts water. For people who snack a lot on packaged food, the salt content leads to water retention in their body and can cause bloating or lead to an electrolyte imbalance. A low-salt diet is a fad dieting method, owing to which people have been cutting out salt from their meals.

"Doctors kept telling Sridevi, ‘You have low BP so do not follow a severe diet or avoid salt,’ Boney Kapoor claimed.

Garima Sadhwani

Published: 06 Oct 2023, 7:00 AM IST

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"Doctors kept telling Sridevi, ‘You have low BP (blood pressure) so do not follow a severe diet and don’t avoid salt.’ Most women believe salt increases water retention, and that’s why they feel puffy. That was one reason. I would also tell her not to completely avoid salt. I would also ask her to include a pinch of salt when having salad."

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Sridevi’s Death: What Is a Low-Salt Diet & Why Do Nutritionists Warn Against It?

"Doctors kept telling Sridevi, ‘You have low BP so do not follow a severe diet or avoid salt,’ Boney Kapoor claimed.

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