What do you think?
Rate this book
Salt Kills
By far the most important and urgent change we need to make in our diet in order to improve our health is to stop adding salt. From the data reported in scientific studies to feedback from people who have cut out salt (including the author), this is the easiest diet modification you can make that will have the greatest positive impact on your long-term health and well-being. This book explains why and how.
- GenresNonfiction
130 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 10, 2012
13 people are currently reading
61 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
June 14, 2016
I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.
A bit of background
We found out my husband's grandfather needed a stent put in this last Halloween. When they went to put in the stent, they found so many blockages that they knew the stent was not the way to go, and they would need to perform open heart surgery. On November 1st, they performed a five-way bypass. The artery known as "the widowmaker" was 99% blocked. From what I understand, it's called the widowmaker because if it becomes abruptly and completely blocked, it will cause a massive heart attack that will likely lead to sudden death.
The day of the surgery
We were really lucky that my husband's grandfather is so active because otherwise, he might not have made it long enough for the surgery to even be an option. I went down to the hospital with my husband and my mother-in-law where we met up with my mother-in-law's brother and his wife. We got to see his grandfather before the surgery. It was a terribly long day - he's eighty-three, never had surgery or been hospitalized before. We worried about him going under the anesthesia, coming off the ventilator, and especially the recovery afterwards.
He is tougher than the doctors expected him to be, and his surgery took less time than they thought it would. He came off the ventilator sooner than they thought, and he was released from the hospital a couple days earlier than they thought. He came to stay with us for a couple of days, and then he stayed with my mother-in-law and her mother (who live across the street from us) until he was released to go home. He's been home for nearly a month now, and we check on him by phone and going out to visit often. He's doing really well for someone who went through such an extensive surgery.
The offer
The five of us who had arrived early in the morning before the surgery went into a private room when his surgeon came to talk with us afterward. He explained the operation itself as well as what would happen now. He noticed I had my laptop with me and asked if I was working. I explained I'm a book blogger and said I receive books in exchange for an honest review. He offered to give me a copy of his book in exchange for an honest review, and so that's how I came to review this book. I'm honored to do so.
Salt: our #1 enemy
I must admit I was worried about reviewing this book. I was afraid it would read like a textbook, and I wouldn't understand a word of it. Luckily, I was wrong - Dr. Neravetla wrote Salt Kills as though he's having a conversation with you and explains everything in layman's terms. He includes illustrations to show you what he's talking about as well as simple analogies to help you understand the difference between the way the heart works normally and the problems it encounters from excessive salt consumption.
Dr. Neravetla along with his son spent hundreds of hours researching the effects of salt and has well documented his findings, directing you to websites that will give you more information and cement the fact that high salt consumption causes all kinds of health problems. Even some you might not have know beforehand.
Here's a basic outline of what is covered in this book, the first of a series:
High blood pressure
The heart and blood vessels
Health issues other than heart related - ex. dementia
A plan to cut salt from your diet
Frequently asked questions
A glossary of terms
I was surprised to find out that not only does salt cause high blood pressure, which in turn causes heart problems, but it's also linked with the following:
dementia
asthma
obesity (I knew this one actually)
osteoporosis
stomach cancer
He explains how salt is linked to each health issue. No one wants any cancer, but stomach cancer is definitely one cancer you do not want. By the time it's diagnosed in most cases it's already too late to cure. You eventually end up not even able to swallow your own saliva. That's terrifying.
He spends the last chapter outlining a plan for cutting salt from your diet. There's salt in basically every food we eat, but he lists ten foods that are in his words, "The Top Ten Most Unwanted." He explains it takes most people three months to completely eliminate salt from their diet, but because salt is not addictive, it can easily be done. You won't experience withdrawal like people do when they try to stop smoking.
Here's something else I learned that I found completely shocking - the number of cardiovascular deaths is greater than the number of deaths from every type of cancer combined. That's alarming. How many of us know someone who has had cancer, currently has cancer, or has died from cancer? I bet every single one of us know someone personally who has suffered from cancer itself or the effects of cancer. Not to mention if you've had it yourself. As many people as we know affected by this disease doesn't even stack up to the number of people dying from cardiovascular disease every year.
The good news is that lowering or better yet eliminating salt from your diet can prevent all of the problems listed above. And it's completely feasible. I highly recommend you grab a copy of this book and once you've read it and have seen the pictures, you'll want to immediately cut salt from your life, too, just like this book has done for me. I want to have a long life, but I want a high quality of life, too.
A bit of background
We found out my husband's grandfather needed a stent put in this last Halloween. When they went to put in the stent, they found so many blockages that they knew the stent was not the way to go, and they would need to perform open heart surgery. On November 1st, they performed a five-way bypass. The artery known as "the widowmaker" was 99% blocked. From what I understand, it's called the widowmaker because if it becomes abruptly and completely blocked, it will cause a massive heart attack that will likely lead to sudden death.
The day of the surgery
We were really lucky that my husband's grandfather is so active because otherwise, he might not have made it long enough for the surgery to even be an option. I went down to the hospital with my husband and my mother-in-law where we met up with my mother-in-law's brother and his wife. We got to see his grandfather before the surgery. It was a terribly long day - he's eighty-three, never had surgery or been hospitalized before. We worried about him going under the anesthesia, coming off the ventilator, and especially the recovery afterwards.
He is tougher than the doctors expected him to be, and his surgery took less time than they thought it would. He came off the ventilator sooner than they thought, and he was released from the hospital a couple days earlier than they thought. He came to stay with us for a couple of days, and then he stayed with my mother-in-law and her mother (who live across the street from us) until he was released to go home. He's been home for nearly a month now, and we check on him by phone and going out to visit often. He's doing really well for someone who went through such an extensive surgery.
The offer
The five of us who had arrived early in the morning before the surgery went into a private room when his surgeon came to talk with us afterward. He explained the operation itself as well as what would happen now. He noticed I had my laptop with me and asked if I was working. I explained I'm a book blogger and said I receive books in exchange for an honest review. He offered to give me a copy of his book in exchange for an honest review, and so that's how I came to review this book. I'm honored to do so.
Salt: our #1 enemy
I must admit I was worried about reviewing this book. I was afraid it would read like a textbook, and I wouldn't understand a word of it. Luckily, I was wrong - Dr. Neravetla wrote Salt Kills as though he's having a conversation with you and explains everything in layman's terms. He includes illustrations to show you what he's talking about as well as simple analogies to help you understand the difference between the way the heart works normally and the problems it encounters from excessive salt consumption.
Dr. Neravetla along with his son spent hundreds of hours researching the effects of salt and has well documented his findings, directing you to websites that will give you more information and cement the fact that high salt consumption causes all kinds of health problems. Even some you might not have know beforehand.
Here's a basic outline of what is covered in this book, the first of a series:
High blood pressure
The heart and blood vessels
Health issues other than heart related - ex. dementia
A plan to cut salt from your diet
Frequently asked questions
A glossary of terms
I was surprised to find out that not only does salt cause high blood pressure, which in turn causes heart problems, but it's also linked with the following:
dementia
asthma
obesity (I knew this one actually)
osteoporosis
stomach cancer
He explains how salt is linked to each health issue. No one wants any cancer, but stomach cancer is definitely one cancer you do not want. By the time it's diagnosed in most cases it's already too late to cure. You eventually end up not even able to swallow your own saliva. That's terrifying.
He spends the last chapter outlining a plan for cutting salt from your diet. There's salt in basically every food we eat, but he lists ten foods that are in his words, "The Top Ten Most Unwanted." He explains it takes most people three months to completely eliminate salt from their diet, but because salt is not addictive, it can easily be done. You won't experience withdrawal like people do when they try to stop smoking.
Here's something else I learned that I found completely shocking - the number of cardiovascular deaths is greater than the number of deaths from every type of cancer combined. That's alarming. How many of us know someone who has had cancer, currently has cancer, or has died from cancer? I bet every single one of us know someone personally who has suffered from cancer itself or the effects of cancer. Not to mention if you've had it yourself. As many people as we know affected by this disease doesn't even stack up to the number of people dying from cardiovascular disease every year.
The good news is that lowering or better yet eliminating salt from your diet can prevent all of the problems listed above. And it's completely feasible. I highly recommend you grab a copy of this book and once you've read it and have seen the pictures, you'll want to immediately cut salt from your life, too, just like this book has done for me. I want to have a long life, but I want a high quality of life, too.
March 17, 2020
Amazon recommended this book on my list as I purchase health related books sometimes. I was inclined to purchase the book on account of striking name. Salt Kills so ordered it but getting to reading it for some months.
Book is well written in a simple language that is easy for a layman to understand as well. It explains well the consequence of health related issues one can get with consumption of salt especially excessive consumption.
I was surprised that it speaks about all types of salt and not just table salt as I was under the impression, table is salt is bad for health but not regular salt.
But it is getting difficult as too many things that one is suppose to avoid as it isn't good for one's health, earlier it was sugar and sweets, then milk and milk products and then wheat and derived products and now salt.
It is difficult to bring a balance for normal people and I think a comprehensive book required to give complete perspective.
A little more on how one can ensure sodium intake in body would have helped in the book as I regular have sodium deficiency.
Book is well written in a simple language that is easy for a layman to understand as well. It explains well the consequence of health related issues one can get with consumption of salt especially excessive consumption.
I was surprised that it speaks about all types of salt and not just table salt as I was under the impression, table is salt is bad for health but not regular salt.
But it is getting difficult as too many things that one is suppose to avoid as it isn't good for one's health, earlier it was sugar and sweets, then milk and milk products and then wheat and derived products and now salt.
It is difficult to bring a balance for normal people and I think a comprehensive book required to give complete perspective.
A little more on how one can ensure sodium intake in body would have helped in the book as I regular have sodium deficiency.
November 26, 2022
Excellent! I am aware of the connection between salt, high blood pressure, and circulatory issues, but was not aware of how it affects memory, osteoporosis and other diseases we would not ordinarily think of. Having diabetes and having recently been diagnosed with PAD, I was concerned to find my BP numbers inching upward - so I am so very grateful to have found this book. It shocked me into committing to eliminate salt - and I am a person who salts their food without even tasting it. It scared me straight and I am on my third day without adding any - including Thanksgiving day! It’s just a start but it’s not as difficult as I thought.
May 2, 2018
Don't eat salt!
This short book makes a compelling case for not eating salt. I did not realize how central it is to high blood pressure.
This short book makes a compelling case for not eating salt. I did not realize how central it is to high blood pressure.
April 5, 2019
Excellent, quick and easy read that truly everyone should read. Has inspired me to try and pursue a goal of less than 1500 mg of sodium per day.
June 25, 2022
Honestly, good basic info. However, it is far too heavy on doom and gloom for my tastes. Also, no real help for how to adjust your daily lifestyle..finally, nothing at all for endurance athletes
May 4, 2014
bought this book at my local library' "Local Author Fair". This book is informational and would be good for anyone interested in their health to read. Dr. Nerevetla links salt consumption to diseases other than high blood pressure. He gives research notes and sources so you can do more reading on the subject.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews