Salt Intake: Global Killer

Excess consumption of sodium can lead to hypertension, but how significant is the issue?

"Worldwide, added salt almost certainly is killing more people than AIDS, malaria, terrorism, obesity, high cholesterol and tobacco," said James J. Kenney on foodandhealth.com. He is a registered dietitian, nutrition research specialist and author of continuing-education courses for registered dietitians/nutritionists.

In the Sun-Sentinel, Dr. Nicolaos E. Madias said that even if you exhibit normal blood pressure at 55-years-old, “you still have a 90 percent lifetime risk of developing HTN (hypertension).” He is chairman of the Department of Medicine at Caritas St. Elizabeth's Medical Center and a professor of medicine at Tufts University School of Medicine.

Madias says that the problem of high blood pressure lies in the low potassium and high sodium diet of U.S. Americans.

The Institute of Medicine suggests healthy adults younger than 50 to consume between 3.8 and 5.8 grams of sodium (less than a teaspoon) and to increase their consumption of potassium-rich foods.

According to studies, an increased intake of potassium can reduce your chances of having a stroke. Potassium can be found in foods such as bananas, apricots, raisins, potatoes and spinach. But the mineral should not be abused. Read more about potassium at lpi.oregonstate.edu/ and
algaecal.com/potassium-foods.html

People with health problems such as hypertension and heart disease, the elderly and African Americans should consume even less sodium. African American men and women consume more than 75 percent of needed salt.

High Blood pressure isn’t the only consequence of salty eating!

“The most common bacterial infection is H. pylori," said researcher Hanan Gancz of the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences in Bethesda, Md in the Sun-Sentinel. And the average individual wouldn't even know they're infected.”

People who have this bacteria and consume excessive amounts of sodium are at high risk for ulcers and gastric cancers.

A diet low in salt can prevent osteoporosis and kidney stones in those who are genetically predisposed.