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| Free e-mail Newsletter on Blood Pressure Treatments and Strategies |
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| Free e-mail Newsletter on Blood Pressure Treatments and Strategies |
Posted by Rabih Jabbour
The Human biological system has the chemical interaction with food and
different substances no matter if your Lebanese, chinese, portuguese,
englese or streaptease, Koulo mitil ba@do :).
A lot of Salt is not goo for you, It may cause high blood pressure and
now hypertension which is quite obvious here, so it is related to this
news group!!!!
So if want get HYPER just have some mel7h alnabat(alternative to siccar
nabat:), sugar tablets)
Rabih
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NEW YORK (Reuters) -- All Americans, not just those with high blood
pressure, should cut down the amount of salt in their diet, say a panel
of blood pressure experts.
"It's crucial that sodium is reduced in the food supply, and that
alternatives are available to consumers," said Patricia Elmer, RD, from
the division of epidemiology at the University of Minnesota and a member
of the panel. "We also need to give people enough information on how
to translate instructions to reduce sodium in real life situations."
The panel of seven experts from across the U.S. was convened by the
Columbia School of Public Health in New York to review available data on
the relationship between salt and hypertension.
The panel findings were presented Thursday at a press conference.
"It is abundantly evident that there is an inescapable connection
between salt intake and blood pressure. Not only for hypertensive
patients but even for the normotensive or so-called normal
blood pressure groups," commented Dr. Ray Gifford, Jr., professor of
internal medicine at Ohio State University College of Medicine,
consultant to the Department of Nephrology and
Hypertension at the Cleveland Clinic Foundation, and a panel member.
The American Heart Association recommends a daily intake of no more than
2,400 milligrams of sodium -- a little more than a teaspoon.
But the average American consumes nearly twice that amount each day,
according to a statement from the panel. Most of this salt does not come
from being too heavy handed with the salt shaker,
but from salt already in processed foods. "Eighty percent of our salt
intake comes from processed foods," said Gifford. "Lowering sodium
intake to the recommended amount is safe and achievable," according to
the experts. "The lowering of sodium to the recommended levels could
reduce the mortality rate of stroke and heart attack by as much as 39%
and 30%, respectively."
To reduce salt intake, the panel recommends the following steps:
-- healthcare professionals need to educate patients about the dangers
of a high-sodium diet.
-- more low-sodium food choices should be made available.
-- consumers should read food labels.
-- people should reduce their daily intake of processed foods.
-- use a salt alternative or a product lower in salt where possible.
In addition, the panel advises eating a natural diet high in fruits,
vegetables, and grains which contain potassium. Some studies have shown
that while reducing sodium intake is important, the amount of sodium
relative to the amount of potassium in the diet may also be important in
the development of hypertension.
"In areas of the world where potassium intake is low and sodium intake
is high, hypertension is more prevalent than in areas where potassium
intake is higher," said Dr. Daniel Jones, director of the Division of
Hypertension at the University of Mississippi Medical Center."
"There's tremendous data to support the role or the importance of
potassium in the diet and particularly in high-sodium societies," added
Dr. Patricia J. Elmer, associate professor, Division of
Epidemiology at the School of Public Health, University of Minnesota.
"We want diets that are lower in sodium and higher in potassium," she
stated.
About 50 million Americans, or 25% of the adult population have high
blood pressure. Blood pressure increases with age, and some 70% of older
Americans may be hypertensive. High blood pressure can lead to heart
failure, kidney failure, and stroke.
Following their recommendations could reduce the number of people with
hypertension by as much as 20%, according to the panel.
A new product launched at the press conference may help in the effort to
lower salt intake. A new "salt alternative" called Cardia contains 54%
less sodium than normal table salt, and also contains
potassium, according to its manufacturer, Applied Microbiology of
Tarrytown, New York. Clinical studies presented by the company claim
that Cardia may help to reduce blood pressure when used as a replacement
for table salt.
Cardia is classified as a medical food that should be used under a
doctor's supervision. It should not be used by patients with renal
failure, those on potassium-restricted diets, or people with
phenylketonuria. The new product is available in serving-size packets
and can be found at pharmacies. More information on Cardia is available
from the manufacturer by telephone at (888)4-CARDIA.