Dr. Alex Jimenez, El Paso's Chiropractor
I hope you have enjoyed our blog posts on various health, nutritional and injury related topics. Please don't hesitate in calling us or myself if you have questions when the need to seek care arises. Call the office or myself. Office 915-850-0900 - Cell 915-540-8444 Great Regards. Dr. J

Salt is in nearly every food consumed, but some may have a genetic variation causing them to have salt sensitivities. Salt sensitivity is estimated to be present in 51% of the hypertensive (high blood pressure) population. 

Salt Sensitivity and Genes

Just with many other conditions, we are finding that our genes play a large role and their expression controls factors such as salt sensitivity and hypertension. In fact, these genes are seen to impact the sympathetic nervous system as well. For individuals who have salt-sensitive hypertension, there has been an association with increased sympathetic activity. The enzymes that are involved in the synthesis of catecholamines have been connected to hypertension but the haplotype of ADRB2 is the only one associated with salt sensitivity. 

SNP 

The ACE and AGT genes are both apart of the Renin-Angiotensin System (RAS). The ACE gene codes for the angiotensin-converting enzyme and is part of the RAS. This system controls the blood pressure by regulating the specific volume of fluids in the body.  The ACE gene is highly interesting as it not only controls blood pressure but has been found in those who have greater strength. A study showed that those who had increased ACE and angiotensin mediate greater strength and muscle hypertrophy where lower levels mediate enhanced endurance performance. 

The specific genotype we possess has a direct effect on salt sensitivity. Those who have salt sensitivity hypertension likely have the ID genotype. For more information on this study, please refer to the article below: 

“Links Between Dietary Salt Intake, Renal Salt Handling, Blood Pressure, and Cardiovascular Disease”

Taste 

Salt sensitivity has also been studied in relation to taste. If we think about biting into a crunchy potato chip, what areas on your tongue do you taste salt? For decades, research and scientists have debated if individual neurons are tuned on to respond only to a single taste, like salt, and signal only one taste or if the activity in our neurons can set off more than one taste. What we do know is that our peripheral and central neurons respond to more than one type of stimulus. 

If we take away the activity of specific neuron groups, it blocks sodium channels of the membranes on the taste receptor cells. We have the ability to test and distinguish your genes in relation to salt sensitivity and other factors. By understanding your genetic makeup, you have the ability to understand your genetic predisposition as well as take steps that positivity impacts your future and genetics. One specific company we work with is DNA LIfe. In their report DNA Diet, they test and reveal your specific genes in relation to obesity and your sweet tooth. Those who have a higher score when determining the predisposition to sweet foods, tend to prefer sugar over salt.  A sample of this test can be seen below:

The heavy impact that genes have on us has more to do with who we are than what we look like. The constant changing and expression of our genes impact our taste and our microbiome, ultimately influencing our overall inflammation and health. 

To get started on learning more about your health, fill out this metabolic assessment form below: 

Personally, I love salt. I have always been a fan of salt over sweets and seeing now how my genetics impact that is fascinating. It brings a whole new layer to the saying “from the kitchen to the genes”. By controlling what we eat, we impact our genes and their expression. It is always a good idea to understand your genes so you know what you are predisposed to and how you can start to make a positive difference in your own health. -Kenna Vaughn, Senior Health Coach 

 

References:

Links Between Dietary Salt Intake, Renal Salt Handling, Blood Pressure, and Cardiovascular Diseases
Pierre MenetonXavier JeunemaitreHugh E. de Wardener, and Graham A. Macgregor

Physiological Reviews 2005 85:2679-715

The scope of our information is limited to chiropractic, musculoskeletal, physical medicines, wellness, and sensitive health issues and/or functional medicine articles, topics, and discussions. We use functional health & wellness protocols to treat and support care for injuries or disorders of the musculoskeletal system. Our posts, topics, subjects and insights cover clinical matters, issues, and topics that relate and support directly or indirectly our clinical scope of practice.* Our office has made a reasonable attempt to provide supportive citations and has identified the relevant research study or studies supporting our posts. We also make copies of supporting research studies available to the board and or the public upon request. We understand that we cover matters that require additional explanation as how it may assist in a particular care plan or treatment protocol; therefore, to further discuss the subject matter above, please feel free to ask Dr. Alex Jimenez or contact us at 915-850-0900 <tel:9158500900>. The provider(s) Licensed in Texas& New Mexico

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The information herein on this entire blog site is not intended to replace a one-on-one relationship with a qualified healthcare professional or licensed physician and is not medical advice. We encourage you to make healthcare decisions based on your research and partnership with a qualified healthcare professional.

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Our information scope is limited to Chiropractic, musculoskeletal, physical medicines, wellness, contributing etiological viscerosomatic disturbances within clinical presentations, associated somatovisceral reflex clinical dynamics, subluxation complexes, sensitive health issues, and/or functional medicine articles, topics, and discussions.

We provide and present clinical collaboration with specialists from various disciplines. Each specialist is governed by their professional scope of practice and their jurisdiction of licensure. We use functional health & wellness protocols to treat and support care for the injuries or disorders of the musculoskeletal system.

Our videos, posts, topics, subjects, and insights cover clinical matters, issues, and topics that relate to and directly or indirectly support our clinical scope of practice.*

Our office has reasonably attempted to provide supportive citations and has identified the relevant research studies or studies supporting our posts. We provide copies of supporting research studies available to regulatory boards and the public upon request.

We understand that we cover matters that require an additional explanation of how they may assist in a particular care plan or treatment protocol; therefore, to discuss the subject matter above further, please feel free to ask Dr. Alex Jimenez, DC, or contact us at 915-850-0900.

We are here to help you and your family.

Blessings

Dr. Alex Jimenez DC, MSACP, RN*, CCST, IFMCP*, CIFM*, ATN*

email: coach@elpasofunctionalmedicine.com

Licensed as a Doctor of Chiropractic (DC) in Texas & New Mexico*
Texas DC License # TX5807, New Mexico DC License # NM-DC2182

Licensed as a Registered Nurse (RN*) in Florida
Florida License RN License # RN9617241 (Control No. 3558029)
Compact Status: Multi-State License: Authorized to Practice in 40 States*
Graduate with Honors: ICHS: MSN-FNP (Family Nurse Practitioner Program)
Degree Granted. Masters in Family Practice MSN Diploma (Cum Laude)

Dr. Alex Jimenez DC, MSACP, MSN-FNP, RN* CIFM*, IFMCP*, ATN*, CCST
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