BACKGROUND: According to the Center for Disease Control, heart attack and stroke are the first and third leading causes of death in the United States, and excessive salt intake has proven to be a major contributor to both. The current dietary guidelines recommend that adults should consume no more than 2,300 mg of sodium per day. However, the consumption of 1,500 mg is highly recommended for certain population groups. This recommendation applies to nearly half of the U.S. population.THOSE AT RISK: People who are 51 years of age or older, African Americans, people with high blood pressure, diabetes, and chronic kidney disease.
TIPS: Surprisingly, table salt makes up about 5% of salt intake. It’s the hidden salt that is consumed in restaurant meals and packaged grocery store products that sneak up on Americans. To reduce your sodium intake:
Choose foods that have the "low in sodium" label.
Start reading the “Nutrition Facts” label when shopping. Compare the percentage of sodium in one product to another.
Add in high-potassium foods like, fruits and vegetables, to meals that are high in sodium.
When going out to eat, ask for a recommended low-sodium entrée.
Before you add salt to your meal, taste it. If it's flavorful, put the salt-shaker down.
ACTION: The Center for Science in the Public Interest has urged the FDA and USDA to set limits on salt in packaged and restaurant foods. Also, the Institute of Medicine reported that national action is imperative to reduce sodium intake. According to IOM, it's becoming a serious public health problem that is costing the nation thousands of lives and billions in health care costs each year. (SOURCE: www.cspinet.org and www.cdc.gov)
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