By Michael Roizen, M.D. on Apr 7, 2023
The Strategic Arms Limitation Talks (SALT) was an agreement between Russia and the U.S. that ran from 1979 to 1985. It was an attempt to freeze the number of strategic ballistic missile launchers -- but it blew up when Russia invaded Afghanistan.
Recent talks about the risks of SALT (that's NaCl, or table salt) don't seem to be making the world a safer place either. According to a new World Health Organization report, in the next seven years more than 7 million people worldwide could die because of excessive salt consumption. Excess salt ups the risk for everything from cardiovascular and kidney disease to immune conditions and stomach cancer.
WHO says countries need to adopt mandatory policies that address how food is formulated, enforce front-of-package labeling and limit sodium in foods and meals, especially those served in hospitals, schools, workplaces and nursing homes. Only nine countries -- Brazil, Chile, Czech Republic, Lithuania, Malaysia, Mexico, Saudi Arabia, Spain and Uruguay -- currently enforce at least two of the four steps WHO recommends.
In this country, the Food and Drug Administration suggests daily intake be reduced from the average 3,400 milligrams down to 2,300 milligrams for folks aged 14-plus. But "suggestions" aren't enough to reduce American's risk of death from excess salt intake. So, it's up to you to avoid packaged foods with added salt -- that includes chips; salted nuts; smoked, cured, salted or canned meat, including bacon, cold cuts, ham, frankfurters and sausage; burritos and pizza; canned ravioli and chili and beans with added salt. Don't let salt assault your health!
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Health pioneer Michael Roizen, M.D., is chief wellness officer emeritus at the Cleveland Clinic and author of four No. 1 New York Times bestsellers. His next book is "The Great Age Reboot: Cracking the Longevity Code for a Younger Tomorrow." Do you have a topic Dr. Mike should cover in a future column? If so, please email questions@GreatAgeReboot.com.
(c)2023 Michael Roizen, M.D.
Distributed by King Features Syndicate, Inc.
(c) 2023 Michael Roizen, M.D. Distributed by King Features Syndicate, Inc.
