A High Salt Low Potassium Diet Can Increase Your Risk of Cognitive Decline (SciTechDaily) [View all]

By KeAi Communications Co., Ltd. January 24, 2023
Neuron Brain Neuroscience Concept

Dementia is a debilitating condition that affects a person’s ability to remember, think, and make decisions, making it difficult for them to perform everyday activities. It has become one of the leading causes of death and disability among the elderly worldwide. In China, which has both the largest elderly population and one of the fastest-aging populations, dementia poses significant economic, health, and social challenges.

Since dementia is irreversible and effective treatments are limited, preventing and detecting cognitive decline early on is crucial. Studies have shown that certain lifestyle factors such as physical activity, diet, and sleep can affect cognitive function. However, the impact of dietary sodium and potassium on cognitive function remains poorly understood.

In a prospective study published in the KeAi journal Global Transitions, a group of researchers from China looked at the impact of dietary sodium, potassium, sodium to potassium ratio, and salt on the cognitive function of a group of elderly people in China. Participants numbered 4,213 and were aged at least 50 years at baseline. Results are based on cognitive tests and participants’ self-reporting.

The research team found that a high intake of sodium (> 5593.2 mg/day) and a high sodium-to-potassium ratio (> 3.8/day) increased the risk of memory impairment in the elderly. Conversely, higher levels of potassium intake (> 1653.3 mg/day) were associated with a higher cognitive score; the average cognitive test score (13.44 at baseline, total score was 27.00) increased by ~1 point when 1000 mg/day of sodium was replaced with an equal intake of potassium.

In addition, the researchers built on previous studies by demonstrating that the effects of dietary sodium, sodium to potassium ratio, and potassium on cognitive function have the potential to be mediated by cardiovascular and cerebrovascular disease (CCVD), while the link between salt and cognitive function can be mediated by sleep.
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more: https://scitechdaily.com/a-high-salt-low-potassium-diet-can-increase-your-risk-of-cognitive-decline/


Interesting background in the article about the high intake of sodium in the Chinese population, the highest in the world.