Celebrity nutritionist Pooja Makhija\u2019s take on salt intake has been countered by a medical professional. Makhija\u2019s comments came during a YouTube podcast with Raj Shamani.<\/p>\n
Makhija is known for working with Bollywood celebrities, including Alia Bhatt, Kareena Kapoor Khan, Shahid Kapoor, and Hrithik Roshan<\/a>. She has also helped Deepika Padukone, Sonam Kapoor and Ranbir Kapoor. She has appeared on MasterChef India.<\/p>\n Also Read | Can high-protein diets harm the heart? Cardiologist\u2019s viral post sparks debate<\/a><\/p>\n The nutritionist has \u2018made planet earth more than 125,000 kilos lighter\u2019, according to her official website. She opposes the common connection between salt intake and high blood pressure.<\/p>\n “Someone gets a stroke, someone gets a heart attack, or someone just collapsed out of we don’t know what, we rush him in an ambulance. Without talking to any doctors, without knowing medical history, what is the first thing they give? Saline. What is saline? 9000mg of sodium,” Pooja Makhija said.<\/p>\n “Why? Because sodium reduces BP. Even for a person who’s got a stroke, they will first give you saline. And, sometimes they do a push, which is two units of saline, which is 18,000 milligrams of sodium,\u201d she further said.<\/p>\n Also Read | Woman fasting for husband\u2019s long life on Karwa Chauth dies<\/a><\/p>\n \u201cYour body requires sodium to restart the water that is being held, the kidneys to filter, and the heart to pump. Sodium is not the culprit. It was demonised so that sugar could shine and diseases could flourish,\u201d she added.<\/p>\n \u201cIf you have excess salt, it’ll come out in your urine. If you have excess sugar, does it just come out in your urine? It gets stored as fat,” Makhija said.<\/p>\n According to Pooja Makhija, the kidneys work harder to reabsorb sodium if there is not enough salt. This process makes the brain push the pancreas to release more insulin, which lowers blood sugar and creates extra hunger.<\/p>\n \u201cThe body actually needed salt and protein, not more sugar. Once you get enough salt, you realise you don\u2019t crave that sugar as much,\u201d she said on Raj Shamani\u2019s podcast<\/p>\n Also Read | Delhi HC grants interim personality-rights protection to podcaster Raj Shamani<\/a><\/p>\n She advises people to cook with iodised salt because iodine supports the thyroid. Modern water filters remove minerals from natural water, making it harder for the body to utilise, according to her.<\/p>\n \u201cJust put a small crystal of rock salt on your tongue, and drink your water,\u201d she advised.<\/p>\n Doctor challenges Celebrity nutritionist’s claim<\/p>\n