Accurate assessment of the quantitative significance of different sources of salt in the diet / Valoración exacta del significado cuantitativo de las diferentes fuentes de sal en la dieta

A metabolic study was conducted to assess the validity of using lithium 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 whereas cooking salt intakes were controlled. The study showed that lithium excretion in the urine did provide an accurate measure of the amount the labelled salt ingested. Subsquent analysis suggest that Li is not 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 studies on salt sources in the diet are needed as a base for programmens of primary prevention of hypertensión