Salt or No Salt?

Most doctors would agree that limiting your salt or better yet, foregoing it completely, would be the best for your overall health. Most of us know how dangerous salt can be for those with high blood pressure, but did you know that salt, and the sodium in it, is problematic even for those who have no high blood pressure issues?

Salt elevates blood pressure. Elevated blood pressure puts more wear and tear on your blood vessels, heart, kidneys, and other organs. Many studies have shown that you are much better off with lower blood pressure. Did you know that eating less salt might even delay the onset of high blood pressure? In fact, in some cases you can control your high blood pressure by restricting your salt with no drugs in the picture. Pretty cool, huh?

How many of you know the recommended amount of salt per day? It's 2,400 milligrams.

Here are a few ways you can cut down on your salt intake:

Leave the saltshaker off the table. We get enough salt in the food we eat where we don't need to add anymore at the table.

Try to stay away from prepared and processed foods. An easy quick change is to substitute frozen vegetables (minimal salt) for canned vegetables (usually salt-heavy).

Most foods labeled "lower salt" still have way too much salt. Make sure you read all the food labels for the actual salt and sodium content.