Nicolas Amselle
Ms. Asuncion
English 9H Block 3
3 December 2015
If you ask anyone how much salt is too much, anyone will tell you that you are getting too much, but no one seems to have the actual numbers. It’s always “cut back!” and “too much is bad for you!” But just what is too much. According to nationalacadamies.org, the government recommended amount of sodium per day, 2,300 mg per day for most people and of 1,500 a day for African Americans, people over 51, and diabetics, leaves people at an increased risk of heart attack, high blood pressure, and heart disease. The very thing said to be caused by sodium. A study published in the journal medicine said that, while having “too much” salt is bad, having too little is worse in regards to odds of a heart attack. Those considered “at risk” for a heart attack, consuming the amount of salt the average American eats (3,400mg), had a 3.1% chance of heart attack. People who ate more (6,000mg) had a 3.9% chance of heart attack. But, people who consumed the government recommended amount (2,300mg), had a 6.1% chance of having a heart attack. A decrease of 1,200 mg per day almost double the risk of heart attack. Additionally, sodium is necessary for the functions of your kidneys to break down toxins, and is used by your brain to send messages.
I am not only talking about sodium, I am talking about salt. And the most important thing about food salt? Iodine. This simple element has had one of the greatest impacts on global health since its introduction into food that its amazing people don’t know about it. Iodine deficiency is a fairly self-explanatory condition; you lack iodine. This can have some major impacts on your
health. Iodine deficiency can cause tumors of an organ in your neck that aids your immune system. Not having enough iodine can cause it to swell, leading to large tumors called goiters. Iodine deficiency also causes birth defects, such as mental retardation. Iodine was first introduced into salt by the Morton salt company of their own free will, and it has had a major increase in public health. This is why when you see most salt, it says “iodinated” on the label.
So, the next someone tells you that you have too much salt, ask them what is too much. If you go onto the internet and see an article condemning salt, check the age of the article and the credibility of the source. Because too much may be just right, and too little, much, much worse.
Citation
"Studies Support Population-Based Efforts to Lower Excessive Dietary Sodium Intakes, But Raise Questions About Potential Harm From Too Little Salt Intake." The National Academies of Sciences-Engineering-Medicine. The National Academies of Sciences-Engineering-Medicine, 24 May 2013. Web. 3 Dec. 2015. <http://www8.nationalacademies.org/onpinews/newsitem.aspx?RecordID=18311>.
"Sodium Intake Not Related To Blood Pressure." Salt Institute. Salt Institute, 9 Feb. 2015. Web. 3 Dec. 2015. <http://www.saltinstitute.org/research/sodium-intake-not-related-to-blood-pressure/>.
"IOM: No Evidence For Salt Reduction." Salt Institute. Salt Institute, 10 Feb. 2105. Web. 3 Dec. 2015. <http://www.saltinstitute.org/research/iom-no-evidence-for-salt-reduction/>.
Ms. Asuncion
English 9H Block 3
3 December 2015
Too Much or Not Enough? The Truth About Salt.
If you ask anyone how much salt is too much, anyone will tell you that you are getting too much, but no one seems to have the actual numbers. It’s always “cut back!” and “too much is bad for you!” But just what is too much. According to nationalacadamies.org, the government recommended amount of sodium per day, 2,300 mg per day for most people and of 1,500 a day for African Americans, people over 51, and diabetics, leaves people at an increased risk of heart attack, high blood pressure, and heart disease. The very thing said to be caused by sodium. A study published in the journal medicine said that, while having “too much” salt is bad, having too little is worse in regards to odds of a heart attack. Those considered “at risk” for a heart attack, consuming the amount of salt the average American eats (3,400mg), had a 3.1% chance of heart attack. People who ate more (6,000mg) had a 3.9% chance of heart attack. But, people who consumed the government recommended amount (2,300mg), had a 6.1% chance of having a heart attack. A decrease of 1,200 mg per day almost double the risk of heart attack. Additionally, sodium is necessary for the functions of your kidneys to break down toxins, and is used by your brain to send messages.
I am not only talking about sodium, I am talking about salt. And the most important thing about food salt? Iodine. This simple element has had one of the greatest impacts on global health since its introduction into food that its amazing people don’t know about it. Iodine deficiency is a fairly self-explanatory condition; you lack iodine. This can have some major impacts on your
health. Iodine deficiency can cause tumors of an organ in your neck that aids your immune system. Not having enough iodine can cause it to swell, leading to large tumors called goiters. Iodine deficiency also causes birth defects, such as mental retardation. Iodine was first introduced into salt by the Morton salt company of their own free will, and it has had a major increase in public health. This is why when you see most salt, it says “iodinated” on the label.
So, the next someone tells you that you have too much salt, ask them what is too much. If you go onto the internet and see an article condemning salt, check the age of the article and the credibility of the source. Because too much may be just right, and too little, much, much worse.
Citation
"Studies Support Population-Based Efforts to Lower Excessive Dietary Sodium Intakes, But Raise Questions About Potential Harm From Too Little Salt Intake." The National Academies of Sciences-Engineering-Medicine. The National Academies of Sciences-Engineering-Medicine, 24 May 2013. Web. 3 Dec. 2015. <http://www8.nationalacademies.org/onpinews/newsitem.aspx?RecordID=18311>.
"Sodium Intake Not Related To Blood Pressure." Salt Institute. Salt Institute, 9 Feb. 2015. Web. 3 Dec. 2015. <http://www.saltinstitute.org/research/sodium-intake-not-related-to-blood-pressure/>.
"IOM: No Evidence For Salt Reduction." Salt Institute. Salt Institute, 10 Feb. 2105. Web. 3 Dec. 2015. <http://www.saltinstitute.org/research/iom-no-evidence-for-salt-reduction/>.
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