Almost
everything we eat contains at least a little sodium, although
many foods, especially the processed variety, contain way
too much. Our bodies only need about 500 milligrams (mg) of
sodium a day; although current dietary recommendations allow
for 2,000 4,000 mg (1-2 teaspoons of salt), statistics show
that the average adult consumes almost double that amount
on a daily basis.
Limiting your sodium intake can reduce your risk of developing
high blood pressure and cardiovascular disease, especially
if youčre overweight, according to a study in the Journal
of the American Medical Association. Researchers estimated
dietary sodium intake in 2,688 overweight subjects and 6,797
nonoverweight subjects, then assessed the incidence of and/or
death from cardiovascular disease over 19 years of follow-up.
Results: Among overweight participants, a relatively small
increase in sodium intake was associated with substantial
increases in disease risk: a 32% higher risk of stroke; a
44% higher risk of heart disease; a 61% higher risk of death
from heart disease; and a 39% higher risk of death from all
causes. Dietary sodium intake was not significantly associated
with cardiovascular disease risk in nonoverweight participants.
If you already have high blood pressure or a developing
heart condition, restricting your sodium intake is even more
imperative. Your doctor can give you more information on sodium
and provide nutritional guidelines suitable to your specific
needs.
Reference:
He J, Ogden LG, Vupputuri S, et al. Dietary sodium intake
and subsequent risk of cardiovascular disease in overweight
adults. Journal of the American Medical Association,
Dec. 1, 1999: Vol. 282, No. 21, pp2027-34.
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