ACCURATE ASSESSMENT OF THE QUANTITATIVE SIGNIFICANCE OF DIFFERENT SOURCES OF SALT IN THE DIET

A metabolic study was conducted to assess the validity of using lithiu m tagged salt as a technique for monitoring the sources of salt in the diet. Discretionary sources, table and cooking salt, were separately labelled and studied, the table salt being available ad libitum wherea s cooking salt intakes were controlled. The study showed that lithium excretion in the urine did provide an accurate measure of the amount o f the labelled salt ingested. Subsequent analysis suggest that Li is n ot excreted readily in sweat or faeces so it can be used on its own to ensure the completness of a series of 24h urines. Latin American stud ies on salt sources in the diet are needed as a base for programmes of primary prevention of hypertension.