PHILIPSBURG--The Health Ministry’s Collective Prevention Services (CPS) on Sunday urged the community to lower their salt intake for a healthier life.
Consuming excess salt contributes to high blood pressure, which is the leading risk factor for death from heart attack, stroke, and kidney failure, according to World Health Organization (WHO).
Consuming more than five grams of salt per day increases this risk, but it is difficult to realise how much salt one person is consuming, as processed foods are usually high in salt, WHO points out.
WHO has identified four strategies to reduce salt/sodium intake in the population by reformulation of food products to contain less salt, and setting target levels of salt content in food and meals; the creation of an enabling environment in public institutions, such as hospitals, schools, workplaces and residences so that options with less sodium content can be proposed; mass media campaigns to reduce salt consumption and the introduction of front package labelling to help consumers to identify products with high salt content.
In a press release issued on Sunday, CPS urged residents to "go lightly" with salt consumption as salt raises blood pressure, leading to strokes and heart attacks. “By simply eating less can help in managing one’s blood pressure and other risk factors, lowering the chances of dying prematurely. A call is extended to every household and business to promote healthy practices at home, schools and the workplace. Reduce your salt intake by eating healthy and exercise regularly.”
“Salt” and “sodium” are often used interchangeably, but they do not mean the same thing. Salt (also known by its chemical name, sodium chloride) is a crystal-like compound that is abundant in nature and is used to flavour and preserve food. Sodium is a mineral, and one of the chemical elements found in salt. Table salt is approximately 40 per cent sodium.
Reducing dietary salt is recommended by the recent United Nations Summit to prevent non-communicable diseases (NCDs) and WHO to improve population health.
Excess dietary salt increases blood pressure, causing approximately 30 per cent of hypertension, is a probable pro carcinogen for gastric cancer and is also associated with kidney stones and osteoporosis.
Persons of African descent are particularly susceptible to the adverse blood pressure effects of excess salt. High levels of blood pressure are contributory factors in at least 40 per cent of all heart disease and stroke, which represents 45 per cent of NCDs. Hypertension is a major health risk in the Americas where between 20-35 per cent of the adult population has elevated blood pressure, CPS said in its release.
Additional information can be obtained by calling CPS at tel. 542-1122, 542-1222, 542-1322 or 542-1570.
