Rate of readmission among hospitalized heart failure (HF) patients is used as an indicator of quality and efficiency of healthcare. A low sodium diet is a component of the accepted treatment for HF. Instruction by dietitians may help reduce dietary sodium without negatively affecting quality of life. The effect of low sodium diet education on hospital readmission within 30 and 45 days of discharge for HF patients (N=52) was conducted. Chi-square analysis determined education did not significantly affect remittance within 30 (P=.143) or 45 days (P=.474). Patients readmitted within 30 days were older (P=.005). Men were more likely to be readmitted than women within 30 (P=.021) and 45 days (P=.019). Higher NT-proBNP levels were observed in individuals readmitted within 30 (P=.011) and 45 days (P=.010). Low sodium diet education did not affect readmission but older age, male sex, and higher NT-proBNP values increased the rate of readmission.

A dissertation submitted to the Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science in Medicine, 2016 / Although it is well known that an increase in sodium intake (Na+) increases BP and is involved in the development of salt-sensitive hypertension (SS-HTN), the mechanism responsible for this increase in BP is uncertain. Further while low dietary potassium (K+) is also associated with the development of SS-HTN it is uncertain to what extent dietary potassium (K+) affects Na+-induced increases in BP. The purpose of this study was to determine whether Na+-induced increases in BP and target organ changes are altered by reductions in K+ intake. Four-month-old male Sprague-Dawley (SO) rats were randomly assigned to three dietary intervention groups for six weeks: a normal Na+ (0.3%), normal K+ (1.6%) group (CON, n=12), a high Na+ (6%), normal K+ (1.6%) group (NK+-HNa+, n=12) and a high Na+ (6%), low K+ (0.01%) group (LK+-HNa+, n=12). Tail-cuff BP, body weight, food and water intake were measured weekly. At termination, urine parameters, right kidney weight as well as left ventricular dimensions and function were measured. Vascular reactivity of the mesenteric and renal arteries was also assessed using a wire-myograph. During the diet intervention, water intake was significantly higher in the NK+-HNa+ and LK+-HNa+ groups compared to the CON group (P<0.0001). Although food intake was significantly lower in the NK+-HNa+ and LK+-HNa+ groups compared to the CON group during the first week (P=0.03 and P=0.05 respectively), no significant differences in body weight were observed between the groups (P>0.05). The urinary Na+/K+ ratio was higher in the LK+ HNa+ compared to the CON and NK+ -HNa+ groups (P<0.001). Following the 6 week dietary intervention, the systolic BP was significantly higher in the NK+-HNa+ and the LK+-HNa+ groups compared to the CON group (P=0.05 and P=0.04 respectively). The diastolic BP was significantly higher in the NK+-HNa+ and LK+-HNa+ groups compared to the CON group (P=O.05 and P=O.02, respectively). The increase in BP was not different between the NK+-HNa+ and LK+-HNa+ groups (P>O.05). In the mesenteric arteries, there was a significant increase in vascular responsiveness to phenylephrine in the NK+-HNa+ group compared to the CON group (P=O.02). However the vascular responsiveness to phenylephrine in the mesenteric arteries was similar between the NK+-HNa+ and LK+-HNa+ groups (P=O.82). No significant differences in vascular reactivity were observed in the renal arteries between the three groups. No significant differences were observed in the left ventricular dimensions and function between the different diet groups (P>O.05). In conclusion, 6 weeks of high Na+ intake increases BP, induces greater phenylephrine-induced contractions in mesenteric arteries but does not affect heart dimensions and function. The greater phenylephrine-induced contractions with a high Na+ intake may be responsible for the increase in BP. However a reduction in dietary K+ intake does not have any effect on the high Na+-induced changes in BP or mesenteric artery reactivity. / AC2016

No description available.

No description available.

Muitos estudos epidemiológicos existentes na literatura revelaram que insultos que ocorrem durante a vida intra-uterina estão associados com diversas anormalidades, tanto funcionais quanto estruturais na vida adulta. Estes estudos revelaram uma associação entre baixo peso fetal e subseqüente diabetes tipo 2, hipertensão e obesidade[1]. Mães que tiveram uma dieta restrita em nutrientes durante a gestação geraram proles com baixo peso ao nascimento e obesidade na vida adulta. Há ainda um aumento na expressão de genes que estão relacionados ao metabolismo lipídico, alem disso há menor expressão gênica da aminopetidase leucil específica, uma enzima que inativa a AII. AII é capaz de regular e estimular diversos fatores que podem modificar o metabolismo do tecido adiposo marrom e do tecido adiposo branco, como as prostaglandinas, enzimas lipogênicas (GPDH e a FAS), 3\' - 5\' monofosfato de adenosina cíclico, catecolaminas, proteína desacopladora mitocondrial (UCP1), prolactina. É conhecido que na vigência de restrição de sal há ativação do sistema renina-angiotensina (SRA) circulante. Desta forma, dieta hipossódica durante a gestação pode alterar o desenvolvimento fetal através de um efeito da angiotensina II. O objetivo do presente estudo foi avaliar a função do sistema renina-angiotensina circulante e no tecido adiposo, renal e cardíaco em prole adulta cujas mães receberam diferentes conteúdos de sal na dieta. Para tanto, ratas Wistar foram alimentadas a partir do segundo mês de vida com dieta hipo, normo ou hipersódica. Subgrupos de ratas em cada uma das dietas foram tratados com bloqueadores do SRA ou com angiotensina II. A prole teve seu peso acompanhado desde o nascimento até a 12a semana de idade, quando foi sacrificada por decapitação para coleta de sangue e retirada dos tecidos adiposos retroperitoneal, inguinal, marrom, rins e coração que foram armazenados para determinação das atividades de renina plasmática, ECA sérica, ECA renal, ECA cardíaca e Western blot dos componentes do SRA. Restrição de sal no período perinatal induz baixo peso ao nascimento. Maior índice de adiposidade, maior expressão protéica da enzima conversora da angiotensina I na gordura inguinal e menor expressão protéica do receptor AT2 na gordura marrom foram verificados na prole de fêmeas adultas de mães submetidas à restrição de sal durante a gestação e amamentação. A atividade de renina plasmática foi maior na prole de machos adultos cujas mães foram alimentadas com dieta hipossódica durante o período perinatal. Sobrecarga de sal na dieta durante o período perinatal também induziu baixo peso ao nascimento, somente na prole de fêmeas que na idade adulta tem maior massa de tecido adiposo inguinal. Concluindo, sobrecarga e restrição de sal durante o período perinatal induzem alterações no tecido adiposo e no sistema renina - angiotensina na prole adulta de fêmeas, mas não de machos. / Epidemiologic studies reported that insults during the intrauterine life have been associated with many abnormalites such low birth weigth, type 2 diabetes, hypertension and obesity in adulthood[1]. Low birth weight and obesity in adulthood were observed in offspring of undernourished dams. In addition, a high expression of genes related with lipid metabolism, and a low expression of the leucyl-specific aminopetidase gene, an enzyme that inactivates angiotensin II (AII) was also observed in offspring of undernourished dams. AII is capable to regulate and stimulate many factors that can change the brown (BAT) and white adipose tissue (WAT) metabolism, like a prostaglandin, lipogenic enzymes (GPDH and FAS), cAMP, catecholamins, mitochondrial uncoupling protein one (UCP1) and prolactin (PRL). It is well estabilish that low sodium diet stimulates the RAS. Therefore, low sodium diet during pregnancy may alter fetus development due to an effect of AII. The objective of this study was to evaluate the function of the circulating and adipose tissue, kidney and heart RAS in the adult offspring of dams that received differents contents of salt during the pregnancy and lactation. Wistar rats were fed a low (LSD), normal (NSD) or high (HSD:) salt diet since 8 weeks of age. Subgroups that received RAS blockers or AII were also studied. BW was measured since birth until adulthood. At 12 weeks of age, the mesenteric (MES), gonadal (GON), and retroperitoneal (RET) white adipose tissue (WAT), brown adipose tissue, heart and kidney were excised and stored. Low birth weight was observed in offspring of dams on salt restriction during pregnancy and lactation. Higher adiposity index, higher protein expression of the angiotensin I converting enzyme in inguinal fat tissue, and lower protein expression of the AT2 receptor in brown adipose tissue were observed in adult female offspring of salt restricted dams during the perinatal period. Plasma renin activity was higher in adult male offspring of salt restricted dams. Dietary salt overload during the perinatal period also induced lower birth weight but only in female offspring in which higher inguinal adipose tissue mass was observed in adulthood. In conclusion, changes in adipose tissue and renin-angiotensin system occur in female but not in male adult offspring in response to salt overload and restriction during pregnancy and lactation.

Muitos estudos epidemiológicos existentes na literatura revelaram que insultos que ocorrem durante a vida intra-uterina estão associados com diversas anormalidades, tanto funcionais quanto estruturais na vida adulta. Estes estudos revelaram uma associação entre baixo peso fetal e subseqüente diabetes tipo 2, hipertensão e obesidade[1]. Mães que tiveram uma dieta restrita em nutrientes durante a gestação geraram proles com baixo peso ao nascimento e obesidade na vida adulta. Há ainda um aumento na expressão de genes que estão relacionados ao metabolismo lipídico, alem disso há menor expressão gênica da aminopetidase leucil específica, uma enzima que inativa a AII. AII é capaz de regular e estimular diversos fatores que podem modificar o metabolismo do tecido adiposo marrom e do tecido adiposo branco, como as prostaglandinas, enzimas lipogênicas (GPDH e a FAS), 3\' - 5\' monofosfato de adenosina cíclico, catecolaminas, proteína desacopladora mitocondrial (UCP1), prolactina. É conhecido que na vigência de restrição de sal há ativação do sistema renina-angiotensina (SRA) circulante. Desta forma, dieta hipossódica durante a gestação pode alterar o desenvolvimento fetal através de um efeito da angiotensina II. O objetivo do presente estudo foi avaliar a função do sistema renina-angiotensina circulante e no tecido adiposo, renal e cardíaco em prole adulta cujas mães receberam diferentes conteúdos de sal na dieta. Para tanto, ratas Wistar foram alimentadas a partir do segundo mês de vida com dieta hipo, normo ou hipersódica. Subgrupos de ratas em cada uma das dietas foram tratados com bloqueadores do SRA ou com angiotensina II. A prole teve seu peso acompanhado desde o nascimento até a 12a semana de idade, quando foi sacrificada por decapitação para coleta de sangue e retirada dos tecidos adiposos retroperitoneal, inguinal, marrom, rins e coração que foram armazenados para determinação das atividades de renina plasmática, ECA sérica, ECA renal, ECA cardíaca e Western blot dos componentes do SRA. Restrição de sal no período perinatal induz baixo peso ao nascimento. Maior índice de adiposidade, maior expressão protéica da enzima conversora da angiotensina I na gordura inguinal e menor expressão protéica do receptor AT2 na gordura marrom foram verificados na prole de fêmeas adultas de mães submetidas à restrição de sal durante a gestação e amamentação. A atividade de renina plasmática foi maior na prole de machos adultos cujas mães foram alimentadas com dieta hipossódica durante o período perinatal. Sobrecarga de sal na dieta durante o período perinatal também induziu baixo peso ao nascimento, somente na prole de fêmeas que na idade adulta tem maior massa de tecido adiposo inguinal. Concluindo, sobrecarga e restrição de sal durante o período perinatal induzem alterações no tecido adiposo e no sistema renina - angiotensina na prole adulta de fêmeas, mas não de machos. / Epidemiologic studies reported that insults during the intrauterine life have been associated with many abnormalites such low birth weigth, type 2 diabetes, hypertension and obesity in adulthood[1]. Low birth weight and obesity in adulthood were observed in offspring of undernourished dams. In addition, a high expression of genes related with lipid metabolism, and a low expression of the leucyl-specific aminopetidase gene, an enzyme that inactivates angiotensin II (AII) was also observed in offspring of undernourished dams. AII is capable to regulate and stimulate many factors that can change the brown (BAT) and white adipose tissue (WAT) metabolism, like a prostaglandin, lipogenic enzymes (GPDH and FAS), cAMP, catecholamins, mitochondrial uncoupling protein one (UCP1) and prolactin (PRL). It is well estabilish that low sodium diet stimulates the RAS. Therefore, low sodium diet during pregnancy may alter fetus development due to an effect of AII. The objective of this study was to evaluate the function of the circulating and adipose tissue, kidney and heart RAS in the adult offspring of dams that received differents contents of salt during the pregnancy and lactation. Wistar rats were fed a low (LSD), normal (NSD) or high (HSD:) salt diet since 8 weeks of age. Subgroups that received RAS blockers or AII were also studied. BW was measured since birth until adulthood. At 12 weeks of age, the mesenteric (MES), gonadal (GON), and retroperitoneal (RET) white adipose tissue (WAT), brown adipose tissue, heart and kidney were excised and stored. Low birth weight was observed in offspring of dams on salt restriction during pregnancy and lactation. Higher adiposity index, higher protein expression of the angiotensin I converting enzyme in inguinal fat tissue, and lower protein expression of the AT2 receptor in brown adipose tissue were observed in adult female offspring of salt restricted dams during the perinatal period. Plasma renin activity was higher in adult male offspring of salt restricted dams. Dietary salt overload during the perinatal period also induced lower birth weight but only in female offspring in which higher inguinal adipose tissue mass was observed in adulthood. In conclusion, changes in adipose tissue and renin-angiotensin system occur in female but not in male adult offspring in response to salt overload and restriction during pregnancy and lactation.

Introdução: O consumo excessivo de sódio tem se associado com vários efeitos prejudiciais à saúde, como aumento da pressão arterial (PA) e doença cardiovascular. Objetivos: Os objetivos da tese foram avaliar a disponibilidade de sódio no Brasil, analisar os efeitos de dietas com teores reduzidos de sódio em indivíduos com Síndrome Metabólica (SM) ou resistência à insulina (RI) e avaliar o impacto de uma intervenção que promoveu a redução da adição de sal aos alimentos. Sujeitos e métodos: A tese está composta de três artigos. O primeiro deles avaliou as aquisições de alimentos e bebidas realizadas pelos domicílios na Pesquisa de Orçamento Familiar de 2002/2003 do Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia e Estatística. O segundo artigo revisou a literatura de forma sistemática acerca dos ensaios clínicos realizados em adultos entre anos de 2004 e 2008. E o último artigo avaliou o impacto de uma intervenção, baseada no modelo ecológico de promoção de saúde, na redução da adição de sal nos alimentos consumidos por trabalhadores de empresas da cidade de São Paulo. Resultados: A quantidade diária de sódio disponível para consumo nos domicílios brasileiros foi de 4,7 g per capita e para uma ingestão diária de 2.000 kcal. A maior parte do sódio disponível para consumo proveio do sal de cozinha e de condimentos à base desse sal (76,2%). A fração proveniente de alimentos processados com adição de sal representou 9,7por centodo total de sódio no quinto inferior da distribuição da renda per capita e 25,0por centono quinto superior. A restrição no consumo de sódio associou-se ao aumento da RI em dois artigos e à diminuição em três outros. Em sete dos nove artigos, uma dieta com teor reduzido de sódio determinou redução da PA e em dois artigos ocorreram efeitos adversos em marcadores da SM. Nas análises multivariadas, homens (IRR = 0,51) e aqueles considerados normotensos (IRR = 0,61) alocados no grupo intervenção no momento final apresentaram taxas menores de adição de sal ao prato quente. Conclusões: O consumo de sódio no Brasil excede largamente a recomendação máxima para esse nutriente. A maioria dos estudos da revisão sistemática mostrou efeitos benéficos da restrição moderada de sódio da dieta, associada ou não a outras modificações nutricionais ou ao aumento da atividade física. A intervenção realizada no ambiente de trabalho reduziu a taxa de relato de adição de sal no prato quente entre trabalhadores do sexo masculino e entre aqueles categorizados como normotensos / Introduction: The excess of sodium consumption has been associated with several adverse health effects, such as increased of blood pressure (BP) and cardiovascular disease. Objectives: Evaluate the availability of sodium in Brazil, analyze the effects of diets with reduced sodium content in subjects with Metabolic Syndrome (MS) or insulin resistance (IR) and evaluate the impact of an intervention which promoted the reduction of adding salt to foods. Subjects and Methods: The thesis is composed of three articles. The first one assessed the food and beverage purchases made by households in the Household Budget Survey of 2002/2003, by the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics. The second article reviewed the literature in a systematic way about clinical trials performed in adults between the years 2004 and 2008. And the last paper assessed the impact of an intervention, based on the ecological model of health promotion, in reducing the added salt to foods consumed by employees of Sao Paulo based companies. Results: The daily amount of sodium available in Brazilian households was 4.7 g daily per person for 2,000 kcal intake. Most of the sodium available for consumption comes from the salt and salt based seasonings (76.2 per cent). The fraction derived from processed foods with added salt represented 9.7 per cent of total sodium intake at the bottom of per person income distribution and 25.0 per cent at the top fifth. The restriction in sodium intake was associated with increased IR in two articles and the decrease in three others. In seven of the nine articles, the salt intake restriction had caused decreased in BP and in two articles have occurred adverse effects on markers of MS. In multivariate analysis, men (IRR = 0.51) and those considered normotensive (IRR = 0.61) allocated in the intervention group at the final moment had lower rates of salt addition in the hot meal. Conclusions: The results indicate that sodium intake in Brazil far exceeds the maximum recommended intake for this nutrient. Most studies have shown beneficial effects of a diet with moderate sodium restriction, with or without other nutritional modifications or increased physical activity. The intervention carried out at the workplace reduced the reporting rate of salt addition in the hot meal by male workers and those categorized as normotensive

Abstract Left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH), a common complication of elevated blood pressure (BP), is a risk factor for cardiovascular (CV) morbidity and mortality. Adiponectin has been shown to have cardioprotective effects and is inversely associated with LVH. BP can be measured at a clinical visit, as a momentary value. Ambulatory blood pressure (APB) measurement (ABPM) is a method of repeated BP measurements through a defined period, targeted to evaluate the circadian BP profile. High BP and ABPM have been shown to be associated with LVH and left ventricular diastolic dysfunction (LVDD). A high sodium intake has been associated with elevated BP and adverse CV outcome. The aim of this study was to investigate the associations between adiponectin and left ventricular mass index (LVMI), a measure of LVH, ABPM and the development of LVDD during long-term follow-up, ABPM and the change in LVMI during long-term follow-up, and the role of dietary sodium intake in the incidence of AF. Adiponectin has been shown to have vasoprotective, anti-inflammatory and cardioprotective effects. Hypoadiponectinemia has been associated with hypertension, coronary artery disease (CAD) and LVH. In this study, adiponectin levels were inversely associated with LVMI, even after adjustment with conventional risk factors of LVH, in a fairly large sample of middle-aged subjects. Elevated BP and pulse pressure (PP) have been associated with echocardiographic measures of LVDD. In this study, the association between APBM and the development of LVDD during a 20-year follow-up was evaluated. Ambulatory PP (APP) was shown to independently associate with the development of LVDD, even after adjustment with conventional risk factors of LVDD. APBM has been associated with LVH in cross-sectional assessments and has also been shown to have predictive value in future LVMI or LVH. In a few studies the predictive value of APP in future LVMI was observed. In the present study, an increase in APP was shown to predict the change in LVMI during long-term follow-up. In this study, the association between dietary sodium intake and the incidence of AF was evaluated. A high sodium intake predicted the occurrence of AF, which is a novel finding. In conclusion, this study offers novel findings about predictive factors in the entity of cardiac remodelling. / Tiivistelmä Vasemman kammion hypertrofia on yleinen kohonneen verenpaineen seuraus ja sen on todettu olevan sydän- ja verisuonitapahtumien riskitekijä. Adiponektiinin on osoitettu suojaavan vasemman kammion hypertrofialta. Ambulatorinen verenpaineen mittaus on menetelmä, jossa verenpaine mitataan määritellyllä ajanjaksolla toistuvasti, mikä antaa kuvan verenpaineesta vuorokauden eri jaksoissa. Kohonneella ambulatorisella verenpaineella on osoitettu olevan yhteys vasemman kammion hypertrofiaan sekä vasemman kammion diastoliseen vajaatoimintaan. Runsas natriumin saanti on yhteydessä kohonneeseen verenpaineeseen sekä sydän- ja verisuonisairauksiin. Tämän tutkimuksen tarkoituksena on selvittää yhteyksiä adiponektiinin ja vasemman kammion massaindeksin välillä, ambulatorisen verenpaineen ja vasemman kammion diastolisen vajaatoiminnan kehittymisen välillä, ambulatorisen verenpaineen ja vasemman kammion massaindeksin muutoksen välillä sekä natriumin saannin ja eteisvärinän ilmaantuvuuden välillä. Adiponektiinilla on todettu olevan suotuisia vaikutuksia verisuonistoon, tulehdusreaktion hillintään sekä sydänlihakseen. Matalan adiponektiinitason on osoitettu olevan yhteydessä verenpainetautiin, sepelvaltimotautiin sekä vasemman kammion hypertrofiaan. Tässä tutkimuksessa adiponektiinihormonilla osoitettiin olevan käänteinen yhteys vasemman kammion massaindeksiin, vaikka perinteiset riskitekijät otettiin huomioon. Kohonneella verenpaineella sekä pulssipaineella on osoitettu olevan yhteys vasemman kammion diastoliseen vajaatoimintaan. Tässä tutkimuksessa arvioitiin ambulatorisen verenpaineen merkitystä vasemman kammion diastolisen vajaatoiminnan kehittymisessä. Ambulatorinen pulssipaine osoittautui riskitekijäksi, vaikka perinteiset riskitekijät otettiin huomioon. Ambulatorisella verenpaineella ja pulssipaineella on osoitettu olevan yhteys vasemman kammion hypertrofiaan poikkileikkaustutkimuksissa ja seurantatutkimuksissa. Tässä tutkimuksessa ambulatorisen pulssipaineen nousun havaittiin ennustavan vasemman kammion massaindeksin kasvua pitkäaikaisseurannassa. Tässä tutkimuksessa korkean natriumin saannin todettiin olevan yhteydessä lisääntyneeseen eteisvärinän ilmaantuvuuteen. Tätä yhteyttä ei ole aiemmin todettu muissa tutkimuksissa. Tässä tutkimuksessa löydettiin uusia riskitekijöitä sydämen patologisiin ilmentymiin liittyen.

Introdução: O consumo excessivo de sódio tem se associado com vários efeitos prejudiciais à saúde, como aumento da pressão arterial (PA) e doença cardiovascular. Objetivos: Os objetivos da tese foram avaliar a disponibilidade de sódio no Brasil, analisar os efeitos de dietas com teores reduzidos de sódio em indivíduos com Síndrome Metabólica (SM) ou resistência à insulina (RI) e avaliar o impacto de uma intervenção que promoveu a redução da adição de sal aos alimentos. Sujeitos e métodos: A tese está composta de três artigos. O primeiro deles avaliou as aquisições de alimentos e bebidas realizadas pelos domicílios na Pesquisa de Orçamento Familiar de 2002/2003 do Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia e Estatística. O segundo artigo revisou a literatura de forma sistemática acerca dos ensaios clínicos realizados em adultos entre anos de 2004 e 2008. E o último artigo avaliou o impacto de uma intervenção, baseada no modelo ecológico de promoção de saúde, na redução da adição de sal nos alimentos consumidos por trabalhadores de empresas da cidade de São Paulo. Resultados: A quantidade diária de sódio disponível para consumo nos domicílios brasileiros foi de 4,7 g per capita e para uma ingestão diária de 2.000 kcal. A maior parte do sódio disponível para consumo proveio do sal de cozinha e de condimentos à base desse sal (76,2%). A fração proveniente de alimentos processados com adição de sal representou 9,7por centodo total de sódio no quinto inferior da distribuição da renda per capita e 25,0por centono quinto superior. A restrição no consumo de sódio associou-se ao aumento da RI em dois artigos e à diminuição em três outros. Em sete dos nove artigos, uma dieta com teor reduzido de sódio determinou redução da PA e em dois artigos ocorreram efeitos adversos em marcadores da SM. Nas análises multivariadas, homens (IRR = 0,51) e aqueles considerados normotensos (IRR = 0,61) alocados no grupo intervenção no momento final apresentaram taxas menores de adição de sal ao prato quente. Conclusões: O consumo de sódio no Brasil excede largamente a recomendação máxima para esse nutriente. A maioria dos estudos da revisão sistemática mostrou efeitos benéficos da restrição moderada de sódio da dieta, associada ou não a outras modificações nutricionais ou ao aumento da atividade física. A intervenção realizada no ambiente de trabalho reduziu a taxa de relato de adição de sal no prato quente entre trabalhadores do sexo masculino e entre aqueles categorizados como normotensos / Introduction: The excess of sodium consumption has been associated with several adverse health effects, such as increased of blood pressure (BP) and cardiovascular disease. Objectives: Evaluate the availability of sodium in Brazil, analyze the effects of diets with reduced sodium content in subjects with Metabolic Syndrome (MS) or insulin resistance (IR) and evaluate the impact of an intervention which promoted the reduction of adding salt to foods. Subjects and Methods: The thesis is composed of three articles. The first one assessed the food and beverage purchases made by households in the Household Budget Survey of 2002/2003, by the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics. The second article reviewed the literature in a systematic way about clinical trials performed in adults between the years 2004 and 2008. And the last paper assessed the impact of an intervention, based on the ecological model of health promotion, in reducing the added salt to foods consumed by employees of Sao Paulo based companies. Results: The daily amount of sodium available in Brazilian households was 4.7 g daily per person for 2,000 kcal intake. Most of the sodium available for consumption comes from the salt and salt based seasonings (76.2 per cent). The fraction derived from processed foods with added salt represented 9.7 per cent of total sodium intake at the bottom of per person income distribution and 25.0 per cent at the top fifth. The restriction in sodium intake was associated with increased IR in two articles and the decrease in three others. In seven of the nine articles, the salt intake restriction had caused decreased in BP and in two articles have occurred adverse effects on markers of MS. In multivariate analysis, men (IRR = 0.51) and those considered normotensive (IRR = 0.61) allocated in the intervention group at the final moment had lower rates of salt addition in the hot meal. Conclusions: The results indicate that sodium intake in Brazil far exceeds the maximum recommended intake for this nutrient. Most studies have shown beneficial effects of a diet with moderate sodium restriction, with or without other nutritional modifications or increased physical activity. The intervention carried out at the workplace reduced the reporting rate of salt addition in the hot meal by male workers and those categorized as normotensive