United States – Physicians have long warned against high salt consumption due to heart health risks, and new research now suggests sodium may also harm skin health.
Research Findings
In a study by Dr. Katrina Abuabara, an associate professor of dermatology at the University of California, San Francisco, people who consumed high amount of salt are prone to developing atopic dermatitis popularly known as eczema. The research suggests that reduced consumption of sodium may be a feasible technique that has low risk in managing this skin condition as assert HealthDay.
Data Source and Methodology
The research utilized data from the UK Biobank, a British database that has enlisted about 216,000 volunteers aged 37 and older. Participants provided urine samples to measure sodium consumption, revealing a 5% prevalence of self-reported eczema among the group.
Sodium and Eczema
The study found that participants with a daily urine sodium excretion rate of 2595 milligrams had a 22% higher risk of eczema flare-ups for every 74-milligram increase in sodium intake. Women were more likely than men to be affected. Those with high sodium levels in their urine had an 11% increased risk of severe eczema, while individuals who reduced their salt intake had a 12% lower chance of developing the condition.
Historical Context and Implications
Published on June 5 in the Archives of JAMA Dermatology, the research aligns with historical findings that reduced sodium intake was considered a therapeutic approach for atopic dermatitis over a century ago. The study did not establish a direct cause-and-effect relationship, suggesting that individuals who consume high amounts of salt may also eat other skin-damaging foods. However, the findings are consistent with literature showing that excess dietary sodium can be stored in the skin and contribute to inflammatory processes linked to eczema.
Recommendations and Future Research
āMost Americans eat too much salt and can safely reduce their intake to recommended levels,ā Abuabara noted in a UCSF news release. She emphasized the difficulty eczema patients face in managing flare-ups without clear dietary recommendations. The research team highlighted the need for future studies to explore dietary sodium restriction as a low-risk, cost-effective intervention for atopic dermatitis, as reported by HealthDay.