American Salt Consumption Is on the Rise

The results of a recent study¹ from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) are alarming: Americans are consuming too much sodium, increasing their risk for high blood pressure. According to the study, the recommended daily intake of sodium should not exceed 1,500 mg per day for more than two out of three adults. The study was conducted between 2005 and 2006, during that time the daily average sodium consumption was 3,436 mg a day, for Americans age two years and above. That is more than twice the daily recommendation. 

The study reported data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey and was published in the CDC's Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report. It is the first study based on nationwide data demonstrating that over 69 percent of Americans in the adult population should consume no more than 1,500 mg of sodium per day. This group is comprised of people with high blood pressure, African Americans, and adults 40 years old and above.

Diets high in sodium increase the risk of higher blood pressure. High blood pressure is a major cause of heart disease, the leading cause of death in the United States. High blood pressure is also a major cause of stroke, the third leading cause of death in the United States.

You have the power to moderate these risk factors for your family. The best way to reduce sodium intake is to incorporate more fresh foods into your diet, and cooking it yourself. Restaurant food, pre-packaged food, and processed food are the major source of sodium Americans ingest. Efforts are currently underway by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), and Health and Human Services agencies such as the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to work with manufacturers of food and chain restaurants to reduce sodium levels in the food supply.

Take control of your future by analyzing your long-term security. Choosing a healthy diet, lowering sodium intake, and finding a dependable life insurance policy are important keys to leading a more balanced lifestyle. There are many options to achieve these goals. Be informed, and choose reliable advisors to help you make the best decision about a term life insurance policy. Matrix Direct has a diverse range of coverage options, and their experts will listen to you to help you determine the best and most affordable term life insurance policy for your needs.

Matrix Direct is concerned about helping you provide your family with a secure, healthy future. This is accomplished through education about health and healthy lifestyle choices, and with expert advisors available to tailor a life insurance policy to suit your specific needs. Matrix Direct has been a trusted resource for life insurance quotes for five million Americans since 1995, and will work with you to help build the foundation of a secure future for your family.

¹ Centers for Disease Control and Prevention news release, March 26, 2009. http://www.cdc.gov/media/pressrel/2009/r090326.htm. The study is summarized in the CDC's Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report and used data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, a survey designed to assess the health and nutritional status of adults and children in the United States.