WHO’s Guideline on the Use of Lower-Sodium Salt Substitutes (LSSS)

1. On January 27, 2025, The World Health Organization (WHO) released new guidelines recommending the use of lower-sodium salt substitutes that contain potassium.
2. These guidelines are aimed at helping adults reduce their sodium intake to improve heart health and lower the risk of high blood pressure and cardiovascular diseases (CVDs).
3. This recommendation is not for pregnant women, children, or individuals with kidney issues.
4. Importantly, these recommendations do not apply to packaged snacks and foods eaten at restaurants and cafeterias — which account for a big chunk of the daily sodium intake.

What Are Lower-Sodium Salt Substitutes (LSSS)?

1. LSSS are alternatives to regular table salt.
2. They contain less sodium and often use potassium chloride as a substitute for part of the sodium chloride.
3. These substitutes can provide a similar taste to regular salt while lowering sodium intake.
4. Using LSSS instead of regular salt can lower sodium consumption and potentially help reduce blood pressure.
5. Replacing some sodium with potassium might also have benefits for heart health because potassium helps manage blood pressure.

What are the WHO’s New Guideline on LSSS

1. First, WHO recommends limiting sodium intake to less than 2 grams per day (which is equivalent to about 5 grams of salt) for adults.
2. Second, it recommends doing away with table salt as it continues to be one of the best ways of cutting down sodium intake.
3. Third and newest guideline asks users to partially replace table salt with potassium.

This guideline is based on scientific research and aims to provide clear, practical recommendations for using LSSS in a way that maximizes health benefits and minimizes risks.

The new recommendation, however, does not apply to women, children, or people living with kidney impairments. There wasn’t enough data to suggest the use of potassium-based salts in these groups.

Why is the guideline important?

1. It is extremely important for India, considering the significant burden of hypertension, heart attacks and strokes, even in younger age groups.
2. Nearly 35.5 per cent of the country’s population — or 315 million people — are estimated to be living with hypertension in India, according to the INDIAB study.
3. Cardiovascular diseases accounted for 28.1 per cent of the total deaths in India in 2016, according to an analysis of the Global Burden of Disease study.

Safety Concerns with LSSS

1. One concern with LSSS, especially those containing potassium, is that they could cause hyperkalemia (too much potassium in the blood).
2. This can be dangerous, particularly for people with kidney problems, as their kidneys may struggle to remove excess potassium. While LSSS can help lower sodium intake, it’s important to ensure that the levels of potassium are safe for everyone.
3. This is why WHO’s new guideline will provide advice on how to use LSSS safely.

Must Read: America’s Exit from WHO: What It Means for Global Health

About WHO: Founded in 1948, WHO is the United Nations agency that connects nations, partners and people to promote health, keep the world safe and serve the vulnerable – so everyone, everywhere can attain the highest level of health. WHO leads global efforts to expand universal health coverage. WHO directs and coordinates the world’s response to health emergencies.

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