Nine in 10 US adults eat too much sodium

Feb

Nine in 10 US adults eat too much sodium

Nearly all Americans consume much more sodium than they should, according to a report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Most of the sodium comes from common restaurant or grocery store items.

The latest Vital Signs report finds that 10 types of foods are responsible for more than 40 percent of people's sodium intake.

The most common sources are breads and rolls, luncheon meat such as deli ham or turkey, pizza, poultry, soups, cheeseburgers and other sandwiches, cheese, pasta dishes, meat dishes such as meat loaf, and snack foods such as potato chips, pretzels and popcorn.

Some foods that are consumed several times a day, such as bread, add up to a lot of sodium even though each serving is not high in sodium.

"Too much sodium raises blood pressure, which is a major risk factor for heart disease and stroke," said CDC Director Thomas R. Frieden, M.D., M.P.H.

"These diseases kill more than 800,000 Americans each year and contribute an estimated $273 billion in health care costs."

The report notes that the average person consumes about 3,300 milligrams of sodium per day, not including any salt added at the table, which is more than twice the recommended limit for about half of Americans and 6 of every 10 adults.

The U.S. Dietary Guidelines recommend limiting sodium intake to less than 2,300 milligrams per day. The recommendation is 1,500 milligrams per day for people aged 51 and older, and anyone with high blood pressure, diabetes, and chronic kidney disease, and African Americans.

Discuss (1 posts)

msatin

Nine in 10 US adults eat too much sodium
Feb 20 2012 15:55:22

This thread discusses the Content article: Nine in 10 US adults eat too much sodium

I regret that your article simply repeats the establishment propaganda regarding salt and health. The current recommendations for sodium consumption are completely bogus and those promoting them should be asked to show the published evidence of the full human dose response to sodium intakes. There has never been a single open public debate entirely focused on the scientific evidence. Instead, the salt restriction advocates have parsed the data in order to bully through a case that the actual scientific evidence simply does not support.

The only studies showing the overall human response to sodium confirm that the recommendations of 1500 - 2300 mg sodium per day may lead to a single digit reduction in blood pressure for a small percentage of the population, but will result in increased morbidity and mortality for everyone, due to diabetes and cardiovascular problems. It would be difficult to dream up a more stupid bargain.

The latest peer-reviewed publication makes it clear that adherence to a 1500 mg regime will lead to a nutritionally inadequate diet. I will be glad to supply the reference for this.

I am surprised and disillusioned that the entire food industry has gone along like a bunch of sheep on the issue of salt. This is not about the sales of salt - it is about the health and welfare of the consumers we are all privileged to serve.

And, in case anyone believes that the food industry will end up being adored and respected for their efforts on salt reduction - think again. When the negative health impacts of inadequate salt in the diet become known - who will be blamed?

Ignore the science at your own peril.

Morton Satin

#495

You need to login or register to post comments.
Discuss this item on the forums. (1 posts)

"Click to launch the Digital Edition"