Researchers discovered that when stroke-prone rats were overfed salt, only those also fed seaweed powder did not have strokes; the seaweed was an antidote to excess sodium consumption (27).

A 2003 study in Japan which followed the dietary habits of 40,000 men and women found that the risk of stomach cancer in men with a low-salt intake of 4g to 6g daily was 1 in 1,000 per year, but double in men consuming 12g to 15g per day. The risk for women on a lowsalt diet was 1 in 2,000 per year but on a high level diet increased to 1 in 1,300 (93).

Although sodium intake can be reduced in cooking and at the table, almost three quarters of dietary sodium is already added to manufactured foods (75) so diligent shopping is the real solution.

Some leading salt brands and ingredients compared to pure Seagreens® wild seaweeds:

Brand	Sodium	Pottasium
LoSalt	13%	66%
Ruthmol	0.1%	24%
Table salt	39%	0%
Solo	16%	41%
Seagreens®	3.5%	2.5%

Although there are now several artificial ‘low sodium’ salts (around 15% sodium), they all add potassium to compensate. Ruthmol also has high potassium and contains lactose, maize starch & ammonium chloride. Saxa also produce a potassium enriched ‘low-sodium’ salt.

People with liver and kidney problems need to be aware of drugs which may alter the body’s ability to metabolise potassium. Patients using Ace inhibitors should avoid potassium as well as sodium as these drugs cause retention of potassium.

Medications like diuretics, some of which cause the loss of potassium, may be in part countered by the use of Seagreens® in which potassium is present at about 25mg per gram. Seagreens® potassium/sodium ratio is almost the same as that in the human body and it contains an ideal balance of all the other mineral salts like calcium, magnesium, etc (24).

Only Seagreens® are Certified for use in organic foods to Soil Association and Demeter (biodynamic) Standards.

A biodynamic bakery (Artisan Bread, Kent tel 01227-771881, www.artisanbread.ltd.uk) has completely replaced salt with Seagreens® in all its recipes. Seagreens® is working with other manufacturers in the UK and overseas to develop new products containing Seagreens® as a certified branded ingredient.

See also Blood Pressure

See also Cardiovascular