An epidemiological perspective on dietary electrolytes and hypertension.

This review of epidemiological studies has several general implications. First, the most relevant population data for extrapolation in providing public health or medical advice should come from intra-population studies, either observational or interventional. Second, the observational studies require follow-up with long-term intervention trials in representative segments of the population before broad pronouncements are made. Third, not all people respond uniformly to changes in the intake of a single electrolyte, at the levels that can be safely achieved in our society. Finally, there are clear indications of useful directions in which to alter dietary electrolytes, either singly or multiply, but the most effective, safe and achievable combinations of dietary change remain to be defined and tested over prolonged periods in naturalistic settings.