Sodium, Potassium and Iodine Intake in an Adult Population of Lithuania

Abstract

Hypertension is a leading risk factor for cardiovascular events and death. A reduction in salt intake is among the most cost-effective strategies to reduce blood pressure and the risk of cardiovascular diseases. Increasing potassium lowers blood pressure and is associated with lower cardiovascular risk. Adequate iodine intake is important to prevent iodine deficiency disorders. Salt iodization is a key strategy to prevent such deficiency. In Lithuania, no surveys have been performed to directly assess sodium, potassium and iodine consumption. The aim of the present study was to measure sodium, potassium and iodine intake in a randomly selected adult Lithuanian adult population using 24 h urine collections, and to assess knowledge, attitudes and behavior towards salt consumption. Salt and potassium intakes were estimated in 888 randomly selected participants by 24 h urine sodium and potassium excretion and 679 individuals provided suitable 24 h urine samples for the analysis of iodine excretion. Average salt intake was 10.0 (SD 5.3) g/24 h and average potassium intake was 3.3 (SD 1.3) g/24 h. Only 12.5% of participants consumed less than 5 g/24 h of salt. The median value of urinary iodine concentration (UIC) was 95.5 μg/L. Our study showed that average salt intake is twice as high as the maximum level recommended by the World Health Organization while potassium and iodine intakes in Lithuania are below the recommended levels.

Spot urine samples and estimation of population salt intake: the return of the phoenix?

“…In the PURE study, the largest population-based study applying spot urine collections to obtain a proxy for 24-h sodium intake, out of 156 424 participants aged 35–70 years from 17 countries including South Africa, 101 945 (65%) provided spot urines sample, 42% from China [16]. Their yield of 65% is fully comparable with the yield obtained in well conducted population studies [17–19] in which 24-h urine collections have been used following the WHO-recommended protocol [15]. In the study by Du Toit et al [1] in 2015, 78% (1947/2486) of the eligible cohort collected unspecified urines.…”

Knowledge, attitudes, and practices toward dietary salt intake among adults in Haiphong, Vietnam

“…5 According to research from Hungary, Lithuania, and Nepal, people consume 11.7 grams, 10 grams, and 9.1 grams of salt daily, respectively. [6][7][8] In Vietnam, the average daily intake is 12-15 grams, with nearly 60% of individuals consuming twice the amount recommended by the WHO. 9 Salt in the diet can come from processed foods, often high in salt (such as prepared foods, processed meats, and instant noodles), or foods consumed frequently in large amounts (such as bread and processed cereal products).…”