The latest CDC statistics on Cardiovascular disease are rather grim; With an alarming number of approximately 659,000 people dying each year in the US alone, CVD is not to be taken lightly. Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of death not only in the US, but also worldwide. Previous studies have shown that eating more seafood was associated with a reduction in all causes and CVD-related mortality. Seafood is known to contain the following: heart-healthy omega-3 fatty acids and omega-6 fats Iron Iodine (during pregnancy) Choline Based on information published by the FDA, Choline, for example, supports the development of the baby’s spinal cord. The iron and zinc found in fish help to support children’s immune systems. Protein, vitamin B12, vitamin D, and selenium are also other sources of nutrients derived from fish. Nonetheless, many people choose to limit their seafood consumption because of fear of mercury exposure from seafood. Most Common Way People Are Exposed to M
- Though frequently used interchangeably, "salt" and "sodium" are not the same thing. Sodium, a mineral, is one of the elements found in salt. In fact, most of our sodium comes from salt.
- 70% of the sodium we eat comes from processed (packaged) foods and restaurant foods.
- The recommended limit for sodium is 2,300 milligrams (mg) per day for people 14 years and older. However, people in the U.S. consume 3,400 mg per day on average!
- Too much sodium can lead to high blood pressure, a leading cause of heart disease and stroke.
- Ninety percent of American adults are consuming more sodium than is recommended.
- While more than 4 in 10 Americans have high blood pressure, in non-Hispanic Black adults, that number increases to almost 6 in 10.
- Not only adolescents but also children are eating too much sodium. Evidence shows that children who eat foods higher in sodium can carry those eating habits into adulthood.
Steps You Can Take to Cut Back on Sodium
- Try to eat less of the foods high in sodium, such as deli meat sandwiches, pizza, burritos, and tacos.
- Reduce your sodium intake at home and when you're eating out at restaurants.
- If you're ordering a standard menu item at a chain restaurant, request the printed nutritional information on each meal choice and choose an option lower in sodium.
- Compare products before you make a final purchase; check the Nutrition Facts label to compare the sodium content of packaged products (there's a fair amount of variety among similar foods). For example, data collected by the FDA shows that loaves of bread can vary from 300 mg to 700 mg per 100 grams of bread.
- Try not to exceed the Daily Value (DV) for sodium. The DV for sodium is the recommended daily limit. As a general guide: 5% and below of the daily value of sodium( per serving )is considered low, and 20% and above is considered high.
- Try salt-free seasoning blends, herbs, and spices instead of salt to add flavor to your food.
Source: fda.gov
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