Medical Experts Unite In Chennai To Promote Low Salt Diet

In an initiative  to combat high salt consumption, Sapiens Health Foundation and the Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT Madras) organised a workshop on salt reduction and low-salt substitutes for medical professionals and physicians. This event was a collaborative effort involving the Directorate of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, the Government of Tamil Nadu, and the New York-based NGO, Resolve to Save Lives (RTSL).

The workshop included the release of a manual on salt guidelines for physicians and the distribution of colorful posters promoting salt reduction.  Amit Shah, Director of Resolve to Save Lives (RTSL) India, highlighted the global momentum for reduced salt intake and urged the medical community to prioritise this issue in patient care.

Experts from various regions shared insights on the health impacts of salt on blood vessels, the heart, kidneys, and bones. Discussions also covered the availability of cost-effective low-salt substitutes, the need for food industry reformulations, and governmental policies on taxation and food labelling for salt.

Rajan Ravichandran, Chairman of Sapiens Health Foundation and Professor of Practice at IIT Madras, emphasised the importance of clear labelling and statutory guidelines on salt content in packaged foods. He stressed that these measures are vital for effective public health strategies.

T.S. Selva Vinayagam, Director of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Government of Tamil Nadu, who was the chief guest, underscored the state's commitment to tackling non-communicable diseases (NCDs). "Addressing modifiable risk factors like salt and sugar is essential. Reducing salt intake is a cost-effective strategy to decrease the prevalence of hypertension and related health complications," he said.

He also pointed out the rising consumption of processed foods due to lifestyle changes, which contributes to hidden salt intake. Vinayagam called for individual and community-level actions to combat this issue, suggesting that interventions similar to those used against tobacco should be implemented for salt reduction as well.

Prof. V. Kamakoti, Director of IIT Madras, commended the efforts of Sapiens Health Foundation in raising awareness about the importance of reducing salt in food. "Public awareness about good practices in food preparation and consumption is crucial for health," he remarked.

R. Sundar, Trustee of Sapiens Health Foundation, concluded the workshop with a vote of thanks and announced plans for similar workshops in Mumbai and Delhi. He emphasised the potential national health impact of these initiatives and encouraged continued efforts in salt reduction.