Dietary Sodium

Concerns and Consequences

Dietary Sodium: Concerns

• What is sodium?• Sodium is an element which is found in our

bodies that is essential for normal physiological functioning.

• Sodium plays key roles in:• Maintaining the water balance in our bodies• Ensuring that nerve impulses can be transmitted to

and received by various tissues

Dietary Sodium: Concerns

• Health concerns related to sodium intake• On average, reducing salt intake lowers blood

pressure in susceptible people and reduces their risk of heart disease and stroke

• Other potential health benefits• preserved bone mass• reduced risk for other conditions such as:

• Atherosclerosis, altered calcium metabolism• Kidney disease, kidney stones• Esophageal and stomach cancers

Dietary Sodium: Concerns

• The Sodium Controversy• Some research shows only small changes in

blood pressure when salt intake is reduced (Hooper et al, Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2004;(1):CD003656)

• Because of this, nutrition scientists, especially those working in the prepared food industry, argue that sodium restrictions are not necessary

Dietary Sodium: Concerns

• Bottom Line On Sodium And Health• Although blood pressure is a key focus for

salt-reduction programs, it is not the only health condition aggravated by high sodium consumption

• Because sodium plays a role in several common, serious illnesses, it is in the public interest to view sodium intake as a public health issue

Dietary Sodium: Concerns

• WHO’s Stance• Reduce sodium intake to <2000 mg daily on

average• Health Canada’s Stance

• population average of 2300 mg of sodium per day to be achieved by 2016

Dietary Sodium: Concerns

• How Does This Affect You?• Need to determine:

• Level of salt-sensitivity• Risk profile for conditions made worse by ingesting

high levels of salt• Need to learn:

• How to restructure diet• How to read nutrition labels on prepared foods• How to handle high sodium restaurant foods

Dietary Sodium: Concerns

• How Does This Affect You?• Need to determine:

• Level of salt-sensitivity• Monitor blood pressure before and after consuming a

high-sodium meal• Check for evidence of fluid-retention

• Change in weight• Change in the way clothing fits• Puffiness – eyes, hands, ankles

Dietary Sodium: Concerns• How Does This Affect You?

• Need to determine:• Risk profile for conditions made worse by

ingesting high levels of salt – discuss with your doctor what your risks are for:

– high blood pressure– atherosclerosis– kidney disease– kidney stones– osteoporosis– cancer (esophageal, stomach, intestinal)– asthma

Dietary Sodium: Consequences

• How Does This Affect You?• Need to learn:

• How to restructure diet• How to read nutrition labels on prepared foods• How to handle high sodium restaurant foods

Dietary Sodium: Consequences• How Does This Affect You?

• Dietary Restructuring• Table salt is used as a preservative, flavouring

agent and a supplement (sodium and iodine) • Some sodium exists naturally in most foods• High sodium foods include:

• Baked goods• Sea food• Olives• Cheese, salted butter• Cocoa powder• Smoked/deli meats• Canned vegetables, soups

Dietary Sodium: Consequences

• How Does This Affect You?• Dietary Restructuring

• Other sources of sodium: • Baking soda, baking powder• MSG• Spice mixes, condiments• Food additives

Dietary Sodium: Consequences

• How Does This Affect You?• Dietary Restructuring

• Food additives

Dietary Sodium: Consequences

• How Does This Affect You?• Need to learn:

• How to read nutrition labels on prepared foods

Dietary Sodium: Consequences

• How Does This Affect You?• Dietary Restructuring

• Shopping Strategy• Stay away from the aisles!• Read labels on baked goods and other prepared

products• Be a consumer advocate – write to product

manufacturers to request low sodium versions of your favourite high sodium products

Dietary Sodium: Consequences

• How Does This Affect You?• Need to learn:

• How to handle high sodium restaurant foods

Dietary Sodium: Consequences• How Does This Affect You?

• Tips for managing sodium levels in restaurant foods• KFC, Red Lobster, Olive Garden – sodium levels are especially high, up to

7,100 mg per meal• Certain types of cuisine, such as Asian/Chinese, Mexican, Italian, deli, and

pub foods tend to have very high sodium• Dishes labeled deep-fried, pan-fried, basted, batter-dipped, breaded,

creamy, crispy, scalloped, Alfredo, au gratin or in cream sauce may be high in sodium.

• “Undress” your food. Ask to have dressings and condiments “on the side”.• Special order. Many menu items would be healthy if it weren't for the way

they were prepared. Ask for your vegetables and main dishes to be served without the sauces. If your food is fried or cooked in butter, ask to have it broiled or steamed.

Dietary Sodium: Consequences

• How Does This Affect You?• To learn more, consult these resources

• Health Canada’s Sodium Reduction Strategy www.hc-sc.gc.ca/fn-an/nutrition/sodium/strateg/index-eng.php

• Centre For Science In The Public Interest www.cspinet.org/

• World’s Healthiest Foods www.whfoods.org