Put a limit on your salt consumption

March 30, 4:56 PMHealth ExaminerAngela Spears

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High consumption of sodium increases risk for hypertension
 

New data from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) confirms that the majority of Americans over the age of twenty should limit the amount of sodium (salt) they consume daily to 1,500 milligrams (mg) to prevent and reduce high blood pressure. The new data is published in the CDC’s Mortality and Morbidity Weekly Report.

The American Heart Association recommends that most people strive to lower the amount of sodium consumed daily to less than 1,500 mg, to prevent or manage high blood pressure, a major but modifiable risk factor for heart attack and stroke.  An upper limit of no more than 1,500 mg could significantly reduce the rate of high blood pressure in the United States.

The U.S. food supply contains excessive amounts of sodium (salt), which makes limiting sodium (salt) consumption to less than 1,500 mg difficult. According to the CDC report, Americans over the age of 2 showed an increase in their daily average consumption of 3,436 mg from 2005-2006, up from a daily average of 3,329 mg from 2001-2002.
 
The American Heart Association is currently working with federal agencies to identify strategies to reduce the amount of sodium in the food supply and is encouraging food manufacturers and restaurants to reduce the sodium (salt) added to food by 50 percent over the next ten years.

High blood pressure (HBP or hypertension) is defined as the top number (systolic) of a blood pressure reading as being 140 millimeters of mercury (mm Hg) or higher or the bottom number of a blood pressure reading (diastolic) of 90 mm Hg or higher.

• One in three adults in the United States has HBP
• Most of the sodium (salt) in U.S. diets comes from processed foods.  Consumers should read the Nutrition Facts Panel
• 1,500 mg of sodium is between one-half and three-quarters of a teaspoon of salt. One teaspoon of salt equals about 2,300 mg of sodium

The American Heart Association provides a handy tool for creating low sodium, low cholesterol and diabetes friendly recipes.

Find out more and view the reducing salt fact sheet.