health benefits of sodium nitrite

[Franco]

I spotted this on another forum...




Over the years, it seems that undue concern has been raised over
Nitrites/Nitrates, and possible negative health issues. I seem to
remember a lot of concern over eating sausage and other meats called
"processed meat", and then getting cancer.

Well, I thought that you might be interested in this National Institute
of Health release of information about a study, covering many years, and
the use of Sodium Nitrite.

SODIUM NITRITE SHOWING PROMISE AS SIGNIFICANT MEDICAL TREATMENT, NIH
SCIENTISTS SAY
September 9, 2005

Patients with a wide array of medical conditions are now receiving
sodium nitrite � a key ingredient in cured meats � as part of a study
and the research is yielding dramatic results, scientists at the
National Institute for Health (NIH) told major media outlets this week.

Sodium nitrite�s scientific promise in treating medical conditions
ranging from preeclampsia to high blood pressure has been documented in
a wide array of studies in recent years, putting nitrite in a new and
respected scientific light.

In the latest news, NIH scientists say they have infused the
anti-oxidant sodium nitrite into volunteers to assess its potential a s
a treatment for sickle-cell anemia, heart attacks, brain aneurysms and
other conditions caused by problems with low oxygen.

"This drug would be pennies to dollars per day," said Dr. Christian
Hunter of California's Loma Linda University told Associated Press.
"It's so easy to use." Hunter also said he hopes to begin studies of
nitrite treatment for babies with pulmonary hypertension, a very serious
and sometimes fatal disease.

Earlier this year, NIH announced that nitrite was showing promise as a
treatment to protect and preserve tissue and organ function after heart
attack, high risk abdominal surgery, and organ transplantation.

For more than a decade, the Foundation has fought to ensure nitrite�s
continued availability to the meat industry.

�It�s been clear to us based upon extensive reviews of nitrite�s safety
� including a landmark review by he National Toxicology Program in 2000
- that nitrite is very safe. But we also recognize its health benefits
in preventing botulism and in reducing pathogen growth,� said AMI
Foundation President James H. Hodges . �This new information bolsters
our belief in the public health importance of nitrite.�

[sausagemaker]

Hi Franco

Very good article, Thanks for sharing it

Regards
Sausagemaker