The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has entitled their document, "Approaches to Reducing Sodium Consumption," which signals to us, the American people and to the WAPF, that the FDA has already decided, our sodium intake should be reduced.
According to Sally Fallon Morell, president of the Weston A. Price Foundation, "A study from 1991 indicates that people need about 1 1/2 teaspoons of salt per day, anything less triggers a cascade of hormones to recuperate sodium from the waste stream, hormones that make people vulnerable to heart disease and kidney problems. This is proven biochemistry. Yet, FDA as well as USDA want to mandate drastically restricted sodium consumption at about 1/2 teaspoon per day."
Testimony from the Weston A. Price Foundation noted that salt plays a critical role in body physiology and brain function. In the elderly, lack of salt is associated with increased hip fractures and cognitive decline, low salt in growing children predisposes to poor neurological development.
Recent studies, according to "Food Salt Essential to Life, Health" show a correlation of salt restriction with increased heart failure and with insulin resistance leading to diabetes. Studies show that even modest reductions in salt cause an increased risk of cardiovascular disease. Higher incidence of inflammatory markers and altered lipoproteins are also found by researchers evaluating those on salt reduced diets. These factors are precursors to metabolic syndrome, which predicts heart problems and diabetes.
The elements in salt, sodium and chloride, form the basis of cellular metabolism, they are needed for digestion.
"Our biggest concern is that with FDA dictates against salt, manufacturers will add imitation salt flavors, like Senomyx to processed foods," says Fallon Morell. "Marketed as a food, so it does not require testing, and added in amounts so small that it does not need to be labeled, this compound can interfere with our natural taste for salt, leading to severe deficiencies, or, people will become obese as they eat more and more, trying to satisfy the body's need to eat."
Source: Globe News Wire
Morton Satin of the Salt Institute presents peer reviewed science on the dangers of salt restriction, that the USDA Dietary Guidelines ignore. Morton spoke at a press conference February 14, 2011, at the National Press Club in Washington, DC.
Shared with: the healthy home economist
