About.com Health: Why all the Fuss about Salt?

If you can't see this email, click here

Health From Kristin Kane, your About Health Editor Even if you're light-handed with the salt shaker, your diet may very well be off-the-charts when it comes to sodium intake. More than three-fourths of the sodium we consume comes from processed or prepared foods, some of which you may not even think of as containing it. That's why the FDA continues to draw attention to the dangers of having too much in your diet - and why its continued efforts to curb consumption keep making headlines. Is all the Hubbub Really Necessary? In short - you betcha. In this peak at an installment of our "Six Weeks to a Healthier Diet" e-course, you'll get the ins and outs of why excess salt can be dangerous, how much is too much, and where the culprit is hiding. Sign Up for "Six Weeks to a Healthier Diet" (Full Ecourse) Protecting Your Health High blood pressure is often the first thing that makes folks sound the alarm about salt. One look at this list of common hypertension complications makes it clear why. Diet Plan Option Following the DASH diet is one way to cut your sodium intake. Developed by the National Institutes of Health, it is also known to reduce followers' blood pressure and cholesterol. Be a Food Sleuth You can easily check out how much sodium the foods you eat contain by visiting Calorie Count. Just plug in your food of interest in the search box. (Guess I'll pass on that second helping of chicken noodle soup next time.) Free! Mobile Options for Calorie Count (New: iPhone App) Health Ads Health Clinics Health Product & Health Tips Health Inspector Sugar for Health Featured Articles Which Kids' Medications Were Recalled? Telling Mole from Melanoma Surviving a Charity Walk What Does a Hospice Social Worker Do? 8 Ways to Treat Chronic Pain Managing Anger With BPD   More from About.com Disney Trip Planner Everything you need to plan the perfect Disney vacation -- from when to go and what to do, to saving money and picking a hotel. More > Join About.com's User Panel! Share your opinions and help us make About.com more relevant, informative and enjoyable to use. More>   Sign up for more free newsletters on your favorite topics You are receiving this newsletter because you subscribed to the About Health newsletter. If you wish to change your email address or unsubscribe, please click here. About respects your privacy: Our Privacy Policy Contact Information: 249 West 17th Street New York, NY, 10011 © 2010 About.com   Reader to Reader Dating with MS Pilates Etiquette Anxiety and PTSD Advertisement