By guest blogger Dr. Mao Shing Ni, DOM, PhD, ABAAHP, LAc; author of the best-selling book Secrets of Longevity
The average American consumes about one and a half teaspoons of sodium (about 3,400 milligrams) a day, far exceeding the national dietary recommendation of no more than 2,300 milligrams, or one teaspoon, a day.
There is overwhelming evidence that dietary salt is the major cause of elevated blood pressure, which is a major risk factor for heart disease, stroke, congestive heart failure, and kidney disease. Analysts say that broad-reaching reductions in sodium intake could potentially prevent more than 100,000 deaths every year.
Here are 4 tips to help you lay off the salt:
1. Swap the everyday salt for other tasty seasonings
One way to cut the sodium without sacrificing taste is to swap salt for delicious seasonings. Spice up your dish [http://www.rodale.com/using-spices] and get some powerful health benefits at the same time by using vinegar, garlic, onions, scallions, leeks, ginger, peppers, dill, oregano, rosemary, thyme, basil, coriander, fennel, anise, and cardamom.
Over time, you will come to enjoy the delicious subtleties of these herbs and spices—and you won’t even miss the salt!
2. Look out for hidden salt
You may think the saltshaker is to blame, but actually, the majority of the salt we consume comes from packaged, processed foods and from restaurant meals (including fast food).
Some packaged foods that tend towards high levels of sodium include processed snack foods, canned beans, canned soups, breads and cereals, and frozen entrées. Also, preserved foods like pickles and olives are usually very high in sodium. Choose products that say they’re sodium free, very low in sodium, light in sodium, or unsalted.
Your best bet is to become a judicious label reader and look at the sodium content of packaged foods. You may be surprised by what you find—one cup of soup could have your allowance of salt for the whole day!
3. Eat out less
Since restaurant meals and fast food are some of the major contributors to excessive sodium consumption, eat at home more often. When you do go out, don’t be afraid to request nutritional information about menu items to see the sodium levels; most fast-food restaurants are required to provide this information.
Better yet, fall in love with cooking your own meals and purchase more wholesome foods, such as fresh meats and vegetables and unprocessed grains. Then you will be able to accurately gauge your salt intake. When you cook fresh food from scratch, you will inevitably cut back on your consumption of processed foods—one of the best things you can do for your long-term health, waistline, and overall appearance.
4. What about sea salt?
The common table salt that we use to enhance flavors has been refined to nothing but sodium chloride and is devoid of all other essential minerals. Sea salt, on the other hand, contains close to sixty trace minerals that are essential for the formation of vitamins, enzymes, and proteins that keep our bodies going. However, although sea salt offers some nutritional benefits, it is still sodium, so use in moderation! If you have hypertension or have other risk factors, it is best to skip the sea salt altogether.
Healthy kidneys regulate and maintain just the right amount of sodium, potassium, and other essential minerals in the body by excreting the excesses and retaining what the body may be deficient in. It is therefore critical to support healthy kidney function. Chinese medicine has long regarded the kidney organ network as fundamental to health and wellness. Our traditional Chinese herbal formula used to support healthy kidney function is Enduring Youth. This is a supplement I take daily to support not only healthy kidney network but also my vitality, too.
I hope you have found ways to cut the salt!
May you Live Long, Live Strong, and Live Happy!
Dr. Mao Shing Ni, best known as Dr. Mao, is a best-selling author, doctor of Oriental Medicine, and board certified anti-aging expert. He has appeared on Dr. Oz, the Doctors, and EXTRA. Dr. Mao practices acupuncture, nutrition, and Chinese medicine with his associates at the Tao of Wellness in Santa Monica and Newport Beach. Dr. Mao and his brother, Dr. Daoshing Ni founded Tao of Wellness more than 25 years ago. In addition, he is the cofounder and Chancellor of Yo San University in Venice/Marina del Rey. To subscribe to a free newsletter, please visit www.taoofwellness.com. To make an appointment for evaluation and treatment, please call 310-917-2200 or you can email Dr. Mao at contact@taoofwellness.com
Read More:
Your Spice Rack Holds Hidden Power
6 Ways to Cut Salt out of Restaurant Food
5 Ways to Shake Salt Out of Your Diet
http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2007/11/13/should-salt-no-longer-be-generally-recognized-as-safe.aspx
There are thousands of people who wholeheartedly disagree with the title and beliefs of this article, myself included. I am an advanced practice healthcare professional as well, and I believe that it is the ubiquitous “iodized table salt” which is to blame for many common chronic diseases. Eliminate the processed, white, mineral-lacking table salt and the pre-made foods that contain them from your daily intake. Then add plenty of colorful, mineral-rich seas salts and supplemental iodine to your diet and you may fearlessly enjoy flavorful food AND good health.
I’ve just got to comment, as a nutritional therapist, that I believe Dr. Shing to be incorrect about sea salt. Even people with hypertension can handle eating sea salt. In fact many people are deficient in a balance of minerals which INCLUDES the natural sodium found in sea salt. And healthy sea salt is actually therapeutic to those with hypoadrenia (adrenal fatigue). So cut out the processed foods and processed table salt and enjoy some natural sea salt to your content!
Overprocessed salt, as most Americans eat in their junk food, is not healthy. That being said, we NEED real salt to live. I’m a bit disappointed in this blog post. Buy Himalayan salt – you won’t be disappointed!
Sorry, have to disagree with you Doctor. Table salt isn’t good for you I don’t think; but not all salt is bad for you. Unrefined salt is very good for you. It helps to strengthen your adrenals and gives you the minerals you need.
Not all salt is alike; I think the good doctor needs to differentiate and I’m surprised Maria Rodale would print such an anti-salt article.
I recently switched over to Himalayan pink salt from Sustainable Sourcing https://secure.sustainablesourcing.com since it is gluten-free and made in their own eco-friendly facility so there is no cross contamination.
I believe that salt is a necessary element for healthy living. Without it we would die. Too much of anything is bad for you!