Avoid Salt to Reduce Blood Pressure

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In 2006, the AMA stepped up to the plate and issued strong recommendations to limit the amount of salt added to processed foods. They recommended a 50 percent reduction in the amount of salt allowed in processed foods, to be achieved over a period of 10 years. In order to meet this goal, they called upon the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to revoke the minimally regulated “generally recognized as safe” status of salt, which would cause it to be reclassified as a food additive. Under the new classification, food processors would be more closely regulated and required to follow limits for specific categories of food.

The FDA has yet to implement the AMA’s recommendations, and the Salt Institute was quick to issue a press release accusing the AMA of having “misread the science.”

While we wait to see whether science or industry will prevail, you can make your own decision about whether or not cutting back on salt is a good idea. As MacGregor said during a spirited debate that appeared in the letters pages of the British Medical Journal, “The totality of evidence for reducing salt is stronger than for any other non-pharmacological treatment.”

In other words, for those who suffer from, or are at risk for high blood pressure, reducing the amount of salt in your diet can have more measurable impacts than anything else you can do besides taking medication, and it can potentially help you minimize the need for medication. Experts agree, reducing salt is one of the most effective things we all can do to prevent heart disease and stroke.

5 Ways to Reduce Sodium

Follow these suggestions to decrease your salt intake, as well as your risk for high blood pressure:

1. Read food labels carefully, particularly highly processed foods, where excessive salt may be lurking.
2. Increase fruits and vegetables in your diet, and decrease alcohol consumption.
3. Cut back salt intake gradually over a period of weeks or months, and you’ll probably find that you don’t miss that salty flavor in your food.
4. Maintain a healthy weight.
5. Make time to exercise.

Hidden Salt In Processed Foods

Experts recommend consuming no more than 2,300 milligrams of sodium per day, but it’s estimated the average American eats nearly twice that amount. Many processed foods have high amounts of added sodium:

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