Evidence supporting the use of: Salt
For the health condition: Cholera

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Synopsis

Source of validity: Scientific
Rating (out of 5): 5

Salt (sodium chloride) is scientifically validated for use in the treatment of cholera, primarily as a critical component of Oral Rehydration Solutions (ORS). Cholera is a severe diarrheal disease that leads to rapid loss of fluids and electrolytes, particularly sodium and chloride, from the body. The main danger from cholera is dehydration and electrolyte imbalance, which can be fatal if not promptly addressed.

The World Health Organization (WHO) and UNICEF recommend the use of ORS, which typically consists of clean water, salt (sodium chloride), and glucose (sugar). The classic formula for ORS contains precise concentrations of sodium chloride and glucose to optimize absorption in the small intestine through the sodium-glucose co-transport mechanism. This co-transport allows for rapid rehydration, even during ongoing diarrhea.

Multiple clinical trials and decades of field experience have demonstrated that ORS containing salt dramatically reduces mortality from cholera and other causes of acute watery diarrhea. The use of salt in this context is not based on tradition, but on rigorous scientific research and physiological understanding of fluid and electrolyte replacement. The evidence supporting salt's use in ORS for cholera is robust (rated 5/5), and its impact on global health has been transformative, saving millions of lives.

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