Usually, a kidney disease patient is suggested to have a salt restricted diet, and Lupus Nephritis patients are no exceptions. Some of them are wondering whether they can use salt substitutes.

What are the ingredients of salt substitutes?

Salt substitutes are a mixture of sodium chloride, potassium chloride and magnesium chloride. They are low-sodium table salt alternatives marketed to in case of high blood pressure and cardiovascular disease associated with a high intake of sodium chloride, while maintaining a similar taste. They usually contain mostly potassium chloride, whose toxicity is approximately equal to that of table salt in a healthy person.

What are the benefits of salt substitutes?

For many kidney patients, their kidney function declines and GFR(glomerular filtration rate) also decreases. If patients take much salt, excessive sodium ions are reabsorbed by renal tubules, and then water-sodium retention causes hypertension and swelling. In order to avoid or relieve those symptoms, salt substitutes are adopted by more and more patients. On one hand, salt substitutes contain low-sodium, compared with table salt. Taking salt substitutes can not only ensure the need of iodine, but also have less risk of kidney damage.

What are the disadvantages of salt substitutes?

Most of the salt substitutes are composed of “potassium chloride”, and extra potassium can be problematic for people who have kidney problems or those who are taking certain medications (such as potassium-sparing diuretics and other common blood pressure medications). Always talk to your physician before sprinkling this type of salt substitute on your food.

Some salt substitutes you can add in your salt restricted diet

You can also experiment with other herbs, spices, and seasonings such as fresh ground black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, cumin, smoked paprika, celery seed, curry powder, wasabi powder, mustard, cinnamon, nutmeg, dill, cilantro, thyme, sage, basil, tarragon, chives, lemon and lime juice and zest, wine, flavored vinegars.

We suggest that patients with lupus nephritis taking salt substitutes under their doctors or dieticians guidance. Besides, the product information of salt substitutes containing potassium should also include clearer warnings. For more information, you can contact our experts online, you will get free and professional advice.