Can you salt 'experts' please make up your minds?

Wait a second. Now I'm supposed to eat more salt?

I had to do a double-take when I saw this recent headline from my colleague Thomas H. Maugh II in The Times' Health section (the emphasis is mine):

"Low levels of salt consumption are associated with a higher rate of cardiovascular disease and deaths, European researchers reported Tuesday...."

Maugh goes on to report that U.S. experts promptly criticized the study, which contradicts the prevailing dietary wisdom, and quotes one expert as saying -- and you know someone had to say it -- "this study might need to be taken with a grain of salt." You can read Maugh's story here, which goes into great detail about the finding.

Personally, I think someone needs to do some research on whether all this research ultimately does more harm than good. What do you think?

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-- Rene Lynch
Twitter / renelynch

Photo: Kirk McKoy / Los Angeles Times

Comments

[Dr Michael Burcon]

Salt is bad for you. I have only had one patient in my career that managed to consume too little salt. The easiest thing a Meniere's patient can do to help themselves is to go on a low salt diet. (See Life Style page on website) Our annual Meniere's Seminar is June 18, 2011 in Ventura, CA.

[CDG001]

"I think the reporting of scientific research sometimes does more harm than good."

The characterization of scientific research as 'news' before proper peer reviews are conducted does more harm than good.

[Augustus]

What about pepper?

[JM]

I think the reporting of scientific research sometimes does more harm than good.