Increased Dietary Potassium Intake Important To Successful Healthy Aging

Non-pharmacological health measures like lower sodium intake, combined with an increase in dietary potassium intake, as well as more exercise, loss of weight, and moderation of excess alcohol intake can lead to lower blood pressure in the general population as well as in those with raised blood pressure, thus leading to a reduction of cardiovascular risk and disease.

19 Nov 2012 --- During the third international Healthy Aging Conference in Frankfurt on November 16th, internationally recognized Family Physician Dr. George Kassianos, MD, presented the general practitioner’s point of view on healthy aging and decreasing the risk of cardio vascular disease.

Cardio vascular disease is the leading cause of death with raised blood pressure as major underlying cause, according to the World Health Organization. Worldwide, 7.5 million deaths each year, or 13% of all deaths can be attributed to raised blood pressure. Raised blood pressure is also a major cause of strokes and heart disease. 

The balance between sodium and potassium plays an important role in cardiovascular health. With approximately 80% of our sodium coming from commonly consumed prepared foods, and so many people not consuming enough potassium in fruit and vegetables, the ratio of sodium to potassium most people take in goes against what many in the medical community recommend. There is evidence that increased dietary potassium intake and decreased sodium intake, together with weight loss and exercise, are the most effective non-pharmacological ways to reduce the risk for cardiovascular disease. 

The global population is aging. By 2050 it is estimated that more than two billion people will be over 60 years of age. Aging is associated with an increased risk of heart disease, often caused by hypertension. A raised blood pressure is one of the most preventable causes of premature morbidity & mortality in both developed and developing countries. The World Health Organization reports that an estimated 17.3 million people died from cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) like heart disease and stroke in 2008, representing 30% of all global deaths. For adding potassium to prepared foods, EFSA has approved three health claims.