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Mar 12, 2009 3:00 pm US/Central
Lowering Salt Intake Will Reduce Heart Disease
BOSTON (CBS) ―
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Researchers say that cutting out just one gram a day could reduce the number of heart related deaths by 200,000 over a 10-year period. (File)
AP
While salt intake is linked to high blood pressure and heart disease, a new study by the American Heart Association says even cutting back a little could dramatically reduce heart disease, CBS station WBZ-TV reports.
"No question, it will reduce blood pressure, and over and above blood pressure, it will reduce stroke and heart attacks," said Dr. Franz Messerli with the division of cardiology at St. Luke's Roosevelt Hospital.
Researchers say that cutting out just one gram a day could reduce the number of heart related deaths by 200,000 over a 10-year period.
In the last three decades salt consumption has jumped by 50 percent in the last three decades.
Americans eat as much as 12 grams of salt a day. That's 2.5 teaspoons, or if you are looking at labels, 4,800 milligrams of sodium.
A lot of that salt is hidden in packaged foods.
"If you can stay clear of canned food, frozen food, any food that's processed your salt intake will fall drastically," Messerli said.
Researchers are calling on the food industry and the government to cut back on salt. For now, doctors say read labels.
"Up to 200 milligrams per serving, that's acceptable -- green light," Dr. Messerli said. "Between 200 and 400 milligrams -- yellow light, be careful, go easy. And above 400 milligrams, don't touch, red light, that's too high."
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