Understanding Sodium
Ordinary table salt is sodium chloride - 40 percent sodium by weight.
When we talk about amounts of sodium, we talk in terms of grams
and milligrams. A gram is a unit of weight. There are about 28 grams
in 1 ounce. There are 6 grams in a teaspoon. If you divide 1 gram
into 1000 parts, each part is a milligram (mg) or 1000 milligrams
equals 1 gram.
Sodium is essential for good health. You must have a certain balance of sodium and water in your body fluids and tissues at all times. Sodium and water work together to maintain this balance - a certain amount of salt maintains the right amount of water in the body and vice versa. Too much salt or too much water will upset the balance. In healthy people, excess sodium is eliminated through the kidneys and the correct balance of sodium and water is maintained.
In some people, too much sodium leads to or aggravates high blood pressure. Having less sodium in your diet may help you avoid or control high blood pressure. People with high blood pressure are more likely to develop heart disease and stroke.
Eating a diet rich in vegetables and fruits, whole grains, and fat-free or low-fat dairy products can help lower your blood pressure. Limiting your intake of alcohol to no more than 1 - 2 drinks a day, enjoying 30 - 60 minutes of physical activity on most days of the week, and maintaining a healthy weight can also be very helpful in the prevention and treatment of high blood pressure.
