OBSERVATIONS UPON THE WITHDRAWAL OF SODIUM CHLORIDE FROM THE DIET IN HYPERTENSIVE AND NORMOTENSIVE INDIVIDUALS

Abstract
Observations were made upon the change in body weight, urinary volume and the urinary excretion of Na, K, Cl and N in hypertensive and normal subjects following sudden and virtually complete dietary restriction of NaCl. Results support the view that any difference which might be present between the 2 groups is so small as to be of no significance. After the withdrawal of NaCl from the diet and during the time when the urinary excretion of Na was rapidly diminishing a temporary increase in the excretion of K in the urine in hypertensive and normal subjects was regularly noted. This was not associated with an increase in the excretion of urinary N. It seems reasonable to interpret this observation as indicating an increase in adrenocortical activity in immediate response to withdrawal of salt from the diet.