Live Well 8: Slashing Salt Can Cut Risk for Heart Problems
By: Meghan Backus
Updated: February 12, 2010
Less salt a day could keep the doctor away, and it
could save lives. A new study shows tens of thousands of heart attacks and
strokes could be prevented each year just by reducing sodium intake.
Bill Southwell found out the hard way that he had to
start eating better.
”I used to love chicken wings, and I can't have them
anymore," said the Webster firefighter.
Since his heart attack eight years ago, Southwell has
drastically changed the way he eats. He no longer eats steak, hamburgers or
french fries.
“Any fried foods - I got to stay right away from,"
he said.
He has cut out a lot of sodium.
But a study in the New England Journal of Medicine
shows a small reduction could be beneficial.
“It's right there with stopping smoking, exercising,
losing weight,” said Dr. Eduardo Arazoza, a
Researchers found the incidents of heart disease and
death could drop dramatically by slashing salt by just three grams a day. That
amounts to just half a teaspoon.
Arazoza tells his patients the best way to do that is
to cut processed foods, like canned soups and vegetables.
“Or at least try to look for low salt options and get
rid of the salt shaker, they might be doing something very good for themselves,”
he said.
For some patients, it is easier said than done. But
for Southwell, the thought of losing his life is not worth a few more grains of
salt.
“After experiencing what I experienced, it's easy,”
he said, “Because I don't want to go through it again."
The study also showed
cutting salt could result in a 10 to 24 billion dollar savings in health care
costs.
