The Connection Between Salt And Hypertension Is In The Brain
Author: Victoria Aly
Time for reading: ~1
minutes
Last Updated:
August 08, 2022
Consumption of excessive amounts of salt can change neural circuits in the brain.
Excessive salt consumption "reprograms" the brain by interfering with the natural mechanisms that prevent the rise in blood pressure levels . This was established by an international research team led by scientists from McGill University in Canada.
Although the link between salt intake and hypertension is well known, scientists have so far had no answer to the question of how excessive amounts lead to high blood pressure .
During laboratory studies, researchers found that large amounts of dietary salt lead to changes in key neural circuits in the brain. They release vasopressin into the bloodstream .
The researchers found that high salt intake prevented the inhibition of vasopressin neurons by "detectors" that monitor blood pressure.
Blocking this natural mechanism of the body allows blood pressure to rise when consuming high amounts of salt for a longer period of time.
Despite the findings of the research team, which provide further clarity regarding the relationship between salt intake and the rise in blood pressure levels , further studies are needed.
New targets need to be identified that could be explored for therapy. At the same time, scientists remind that salt consumption should be limited.
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