“On average, as salt (sodium chloride) intake increases, so does BP. A reduced sodium intake can prevent hypertension in nonhypertensive individuals, can lower BP in the setting of antihypertensive medication, and can facilitate hypertension control.”
Source: Lichtenstein et al. Diet and lifestyle recommendations revision 2006: a scientific statement from the American Heart Association Nutrition Committee. Circulation. 2006 Jul 4; 114(1):82-96.
Just one teaspoon of salt contains contains 2,000 mg of sodium. This is just shy of the U.S. daily recommendation of 2,300 mg. But, most people average around 4,000 mg a day! Sound like a lot? Just one slice of Pizza Hut™ pepperoni pizza has 640 mg of sodium.
Sources:
http://www.webmd.com/brain/Eating-a-low-sodium-diet-for-Menieres-disease
www.pizzahut.com/Files/PDF/Nutritional%20Guide%20Data%20June%2014%202007.pdf
In a recent study, it was determined that women who consume at least 255 milligrams of magnesium a day (from food and supplements) have about a 40 percent lower risk of colorectal cancer than those who consume less than 209 mg a day.
Source: Larsson, SC et al. Magnesium Intake in Relation to Risk of Colorectal Cancer in Women. JAMA. 2005;293:86-89.
“…Sodium reduction, previously shown to lower blood pressure and prevent hypertension, also seems to prevent cardiovascular disease.” The authors conducted 2 randomised trials, providing participants with intervention or controls, and following them for a 10-15 year period. They found that the decrease in sodium reduced cardiovascular risk. They state that the evidence is “substantial and provides strong support for population-wide reduction in dietary sodium intake to prevent cardiovascular disease.”
Source: Cook, NR, et.al. Long term effects of dietary sodium reduction on cardiovascular disease outcomes: observational follow-up of the trials of hypertension prevention (TOHP). BMJ. 2007 April 28; 334(7599): 885.
Vertigo is a common symptom of Meniere’s disease. Experts suggest that reducing sodium to less than 1,000 milligrams per day may help reduce the occurrence of vertigo. “Salt “attracts” fluids-it makes your body retain excess fluid. Thus, eating less salt may result in less buildup of fluid in the ear and fewer episodes of vertigo.”
Source: WebMd
A recent scientific study showed that magnesium intake is inversely associated with incidence of type 2 diabetes. “This finding suggests that increased consumption of magnesium-rich foods such as whole grains, beans, nuts, and green leafy vegetables may reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes.”
Smart Salt is also a good source of magnesium. Each serving contains more than 10% of the daily recommended amount of magnesium.
Source: Larsson, SC et.al. J Intern Med. 2007 Aug;262(2):208-14. Magnesium intake and risk of type 2 diabetes: a meta-analysis.
