We Need To Cut Sodium Consumption

Editor's Choice
Main Category: Nutrition / Diet
Also Included In: Public Health;  Hypertension;  Stroke
Article Date: 14 Sep 2009 - 12:00 PDT

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An article in the Canadian Medical Association Journal (CMAJ) reports that reducing sodium intake is a key public health priority that must be addressed by governments and nongovernmental organizations to improve population health.

A diet high in sodium has been associated to high blood pressure, vascular and cardiac damage, stomach cancer, osteoporosis and other diseases. In addition, higher blood pressure is a risk factor for cardiovascular disease. Worldwide, approximately 1 billion adults have hypertension. About 17 to 30 percent of these cases are caused by excessive sodium consumption.

Almost 80 percent of sodium intake is from processed food in developed countries. The most effective change will result from regulation of the food industry by government. However, there is a need for immediate voluntary action.

The recommended intake in Canada is:

• 1,000 mg/day sodium for people aged 1 to 3 years
• 1,500 mg/day for those aged 9 to 50 years

Average daily sodium intake in Canada is more than double the highest recommended level.

"A population-wide reduction in sodium intake could prevent a large proportion of cardiovascular events in both normotensive and hypertensive populations," explain Dr. Kevin Willis, from the Canadian Stroke Network and coauthors. "For example, a population-wide decrease of 2 mm Hg diastolic blood pressure would be estimated to lower the prevalence of hypertension by 17%, coronary artery disease by 6% and the risk of stroke by 15%, with many of the benefits occurring among patients with normal blood pressure."

National public health policy should focus on:

• Reformulating processed food
• Educating consumers
• Labeling food clearly
• Setting timelines to meet these targets

Nongovernmental groups should lobby the food industry to change practice. They should work in partnership with governments to initiate public education campaigns.

In addition, health care professionals should give extra attention in guiding patients about healthy choices in reducing sodium consumption. Moreover, training in giving those directions should be included into curricula.

"Effective population-wide public health interventions to promote sodium reduction"
Sailesh Mohan MD MPH, Norm R.C. Campbell MD, Kevin Willis PhD
CMAJ 2009. DOI:10.1503/cmaj.090361
Canadian Medical Association Journal

Written by Stephanie Brunner (B.A.)
Copyright: Medical News Today
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