Salt Overload

Salt is an essential component of our body's fluids. Salt provides the body with sodium which our body needs to help transmit nerve impulses, help muscles contract/relax and assist the body in maintaining the right balance of fluids. However, too much salt results in too much sodium which in turn can lead to a host of health problems. Too much sodium in the diet is a risk factor that contributes to high blood pressure, which significantly increases the risk of developing heart disease or having a stroke. How much is too much? "The 2010 Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommend limiting sodium to less than 2,300 mg a day — or 1,500 mg if you're age 51 or older, or if you are black, or if you have high blood pressure, diabetes or chronic kidney disease (http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/sodium/NU00284 ).  Researchers and medical professionals alike agree that high blood pressure is a major cause of strokes, heart attacks, heart failure, and kidney disease.

Two important steps to "shaking" the salt habit is to omit salt from your table and replace salt in your cooking with different seasonings such as pepper, lemon, thyme, basil and other herbs. Need more tips for reducing salt in your diet? Visit http://www.health.harvard.edu/press_releases/tips-for-reducing-salt-in-your-diet

Yours in health!

 http://www.befitinc.com