Comments on: Less Salt Will Save $26B In Health Costs

By: philmarlowe

philmarlowe — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 13:15:17 +0000

Sodium has gotten an undeserved reputation. Government and politicians have a lot to do with elevated blood pressure. And then there’s the booze one must consume to wash away the memory of Obama’s latest speech. Seriously, my doctors have seldom mentioned reducing sodium intake as a strategy to improve hypertension. Losing weight and exercising are more helpful than cutting back on salt. One man’s opinion.

By: Chuckk

Chuckk — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 03:22:16 +0000

The solution to every problem is a new tax. Obviously when we are all taxed at 90% we will have no more problems.

By: wirenut

wirenut — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 02:00:02 +0000

Enthalpy, my EU approved anti-salt-second-hand-smoke-de-bacon-UV-iceberg friendly sunglasses are available at.
WTFGOV.COM. We also issue life vests, helmets and personnel counseling on, “Why Living, Will make you Dead”.
Or, for the advanced students. “Life is Dangerous”, (full body suits and helmets required), curriculum includes,”How to Hate the Things that made us Great”. Or, “Finger your opponent”. Time to sign up is now folks! Avoid the last minute rush!

By: Enthalpy

Enthalpy — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 23:22:43 +0000

Again, we should be so grateful that governments are willing to instruct us about living our lives. After they fumble around and screw up one of the most beautiful documents ever written (the Constitution), they decide to have a go at our health. Of course, everything they take on eventually comes under their control–by design.This is the EU salt shaker designed to limit salt intake in Europe–no doubt coming soon to all of us.**

**http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_I_1MV9aXK5k/SGecNJgy15I/AAAAAAAABT0/Z-OFtzSaAnc/s400/article-1030164-01C4578E00000578-113_468x488.jpg

By: Confucius

Confucius — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 21:36:42 +0000

This Reuter’s article is misleading and factually incorrect.

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) is recommending a maximum of 2,300 mg of sodium/day for all Americans, irregardless of their blood pressure.

The Institute of Medicine (IOM) is recommending a more severe limit of 1,500 mg of sodium/day.

The NIH is a division of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services–i.e. it’s government. The IOM is a division of the National Academy of Sciences; although the IOM is technically a non-government organization, it officially advises Congress. What this means is sodium-restriction laws are coming.

In case anyone thinks these recommendations are nuisances that can be ignored, just try a 2,300 mg or 1,500 mg sodium-diet. The food is disgusting. And if the taste doesn’t drive you mad, the endless counting and label-reading will.

A word of caution though. If you attempt this, know that sodium is everywhere. It’s not just in pre-packaged and restaurant foods. It’s in your aspirin, your tap water and your toothpaste. Hell, it’s even in arugula.

Another word of caution. If you try this, first lock up your guns, send your children away and make sure your spouse has a will. And above all, do not attempt this during that “special time of the month.”

(http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/healt.....w_dash.pdf)

By: Confucius

Confucius — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 20:41:26 +0000

VMAN, you raise a good point.

There are many foreign cultures that consume more salt than we but don’t suffer from the same rates of hypertension. The Asian and Mediterranean cultures come to mind.

Conversely, there are many foreign cultures that consume less salt but still suffer from hypertension. African and South American cultures come to mind.

In this country, we know that black-Americans with hypertension respond to sodium-wasting diuretics but white-American senior citizens do not.

We also know that most patients require at least two medications to control their hypertension. Many require three. This is because the human body attempts to accomodate to the medication. (For my liberal friends, “accomodate to” means “scam.”)

All this suggests there are more important contributors to hypertension than salt and that restricting salt and only salt is ludicrous. (Again, for my liberal friends, “ludicrous” means “reedickolas”–and not the rapper.)

By: VMAN

VMAN — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 20:03:20 +0000

The thing I find odd is that the over consumption of salt has not really been addressed. Everything else has been attacked by the looney left but not necessarily salt. Black people, particularly the men, suffer disproportionately from High blood pressure leading to a shortened life span. I’m sure salt intake is a factor and yet the left doesn’t seem to care. I find that right curious.

By: wirenut

wirenut — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 19:40:23 +0000

Great points Pro ! Now I’m going to run outside with sissors in hand. Then check tire pressures without wearing a helmet ! Where will it all end?

By: proreason

proreason — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 19:10:48 +0000

Salt, sugar, sugar substitutes, fats, transfats, fat substitutes, snack foods, desserts, McDonalds, beef, alchohol, cream sauces, milk, carcinogens, overeating, undereating, underexercising, overexercising, driving too fast, driving too slow, pets, raising animals for food, not wearing helmets, driving a motorcycle, skydiving, swimming in deep water, drinking tap water, pollution, getting mad, not getting mad, gambling, looking at bad stuff, staying up too late, not getting enough sleep, straining your eyes, watching too much TV, playing the stereo too loud, getting angry, picking up things without a back brace, co2, methane, burning wood, yelling at your kids, spanking your kids, eating meat, getting stressed, hurrying too much, being racist, not going to the doctor, not watching your choleserol, not watching your blood pressure, smoking, breathing second-hand smoke, not brushing your teeth enough, driving too much, turning the thermostat too high, bungie jumping, riding roller-coasters, walking under ladders, having unprotected sex, going outside without a coat, not using sunscreen, toys that kids can swallow, things that are sharp when they break, scissors with points, not locking up knives, not sorting the trash, staring at people, not being friendly enough……..

it will never end.

It’s not about what you do, it’s about them being able to tell you what to do.

By: antares5

antares5 — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 18:46:55 +0000

Most salt consumption is from pre-packaged, processed convenience foods. More evil corporations, but if the consumers really had a problem with it, they would actualy read the label and not buy them. Many don’t care.

By: MinnesotaRush

MinnesotaRush — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 18:42:29 +0000

“Don’t pass the salt: If Americans were to cut their salt intake to recommended levels, they’d have far fewer cases of high blood pressure, and save billions of dollars in health care costs, a new study estimates.”

See ya, Morton’s Salt Co. (and all you other salt producers/distributors).

Hey .. ya’ got the axe before the oil companies; but you outlived the auto industry.

That’s the o-blah-blah idea of recovery. Not that you survive and prosper .. just how long ya’ make it before he kills ya’.