According to a new report out by the Centers for Disease Control, Americans need to reduce the amount of salt in their diets.
Those increased levels are linked to a rise in blood pressure, which can be a precursor to strokes and other heart diseases.
Overall, dietary guidelines call for In general, people to limit their daily sodium intake to less than 2,300 milligrams. Over the age of 51, it's suggested that number drop to 1,500 mgs. That guideline is also being suggested for African Americans, anyone with high blood pressure, chronic kidney disease or diabetes.... almost 50 percent of American Adults.
Analysis of new data shows that almost 99% of Americans need to drop their sodium intake to 1,500 mgs. while 88 percent of those need to drop to the 2,300 mgs mark.
It's estimated that in the American diet, 75% of the sodium is added at the commercial level. the remaining 25% comes from household use.
To drop sodium levels here like they are beginning to do in Europe, would save an estimated 4 billion dollars in health care costs a year and more than $32 billion over a 45 year period of adults up to the age of 85.
The study is published in the Oct. 21 issue of the Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, published by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
