Posted: Wednesday, 30 June 2010 11:51 PM

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High salt intake, which is linked to a plethora of medical conditions including hypertension, stroke, and osteoporosis, is now linked to the fourth most commonly diagnosed cancer worldwide: stomach cancer. Recent clinical studies have looked at the relationship between H. pylori, salt intake and stomach cancer.
High salt intake, which is linked to a plethora of medical conditions including hypertension, stroke, and osteoporosis, is now linked to the fourth most commonly diagnosed cancer worldwide: stomach cancer. Recent clinical studies have looked at the relationship between H. pylori, salt intake and stomach cancer.

A few of the studies are worth mentioning. A 2008 study published in the Journal of Bacteriology has demonstrated that “H. pylori responds to temporal changes in sodium chloride (salt) concentration and that growth, cell morphology, survival, and virulence factor expression are all altered by increased salt concentration". Furthermore, in a 2009 review of salt consumption and stomach cancer risk, published in the World Journal of Gastroenterology, scientists suggest that reducing salt intake combined with the eradication of H. pylori infection is a promising approach for stomach cancer prevention in all parts of the world, especially in developing counties.

Reducing salt consumption is a wise choice. Current Dietary Guidelines and recommendations by the Food and Nutrition Board of the Institute of Medicine recommend a daily intake of 1500 mg of sodium; most Americans consume about double that amount.  Not only will lower salt intake reduce the risk of osteoporosis and stroke, it may also lower ones chance of contracting stomach cancer.

 

 

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