If you have been advised to reduce your sodium intake, you may wonder about using a “salt substitute.” Before you try one, check with your doctor. Here’s why: 1. Some salt substitutes or “lite” salts contain a mixture of sodium chloride (salt) and other compounds. To achieve that familiar salty taste, you may end up using more of the salt substitute, and the result is that you do not reduce your sodium intake at all. 2. Potassium chloride is a common ingredient in salt substitutes. Too much potassium can be harmful for people with kidney problems or people who are taking certain medications for the treatment of high blood pressure or heart failure. Some diuretics such as amiloride (Midamor), spironolactone (Aldactone), and triamterene (Dyrenium) and medications that combine hydrochlorothiazide with one of the above generic drugs (such as Moduretic, Aldactazide, Dyazide, Maxzide) cause the kidneys to retain potassium. If you take one of these medications, you may need to limit the amount of potassium you eat.

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