Health News Blog
Salt, the New Trans Fat?
Monday, October 22, 2007
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The current recommendation for daily sodium intake is 2,300 mg or less, which is equal to a teaspoon of salt. Americans consume about 3,375 mg of sodium daily and 80% of this comes from processed foods. Eating out is also a culprit! It has long been known that when you have hypertension, lowering your salt intake can help lower your blood pressure. However, studies show that the reduction in blood pressure is minimal when compared to the reduction in risk for heart disease.
It seems that excessive sodium intake not only negatively affects blood pressure, but it also causes stiffening of the artery walls, damage to the heart muscle, and it may play a role in the insulin resistance epidemic which is a risk factor for type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease. So, while lowering your intake to the 2,300 mg a day is recommended, 1,500 mg can cut your risks even more! Read on to find out what experts say is the “bottom line”.
Renee Brunetti BS, LD/N, ACSM
Nutrition SpecialistIf you had one car to get around in your lifetime, how would you treat it?
Labels: heart healthy, salt
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