NBI’s Heart Salt®
It’s been beating since before the day you were born, and needless to say, the heart is one of the most important muscles in your body.
Sodium is an essential mineral for the human body as it assists with normal cell function and maintains its pH balance. However, issues arise when excess amounts are consumed, and it is linked to increased blood pressure and the risk of heart disease.
Read on to find out how sodium impacts heart health.
Salt intake of fewer than 5 grams per day for adults helps to reduce blood pressure and the risk of cardiovascular disease, stroke, and coronary heart attack.
Sodium’s effect on the body
The human body requires a small amount of sodium, about 500 mg daily, to conduct nerve impulses, contract and relax muscles, and maintain the proper balance of water and minerals. The WHO recommends adults limit their consumption to 2000mg of sodium a day for good health, which equates to roughly 1 teaspoon of salt.
When the blood has too much sodium, the body shifts more fluid into the bloodstream to dilute it. If the kidneys cannot remove the excess fluid effectively, it remains in the blood and the result is water retention. An increased volume of blood in your system, therefore, increases blood pressure.
Excess sodium consumption also has a dehydrating effect, as the body will require more fluids to maintain a balance of salts and water. This dehydration increases blood viscosity and forces the heart to work harder, increasing blood pressure.
Hypertension and Heart Disease
As part of the cardiovascular system, the heart is responsible for circulating blood through your entire body so that it receives the essential oxygen and nutrients it needs. It allows your organs to function properly and carries waste carbon dioxide to your lungs for you to breathe out.
When suffering from high blood pressure, known also as hypertension, the heart must exert more effort to pump blood around the body. If left uncontrolled for a long enough time, the extra exertion on the heart becomes a significant risk factor for developing coronary diseases such as heart failure, heart attack or stroke at an early age.
Who is affected by heart disease?
Don’t think that hypertension and heart disease only affects the middle-aged or the elderly! It can strike at any age, even young people. You can feel well and have it without even knowing.
The damage done by high blood pressure occurs over time, often going unnoticed. There is a strong link between a high sodium diet and high blood pressure and reducing sodium intake is shown to lower blood pressure and the risk for heart disease, in children as well.
How to look after your Heart Health?
Three risk factors for heart disease that you can't control are your gender, your age, and your family genetics. Everything else is up to you. If you’re living with heart disease or you want to prevent it, here's what you CAN do:
- Quit smoking - Smoking tobacco is Australia's largest preventable cause of death and disease. Smokers are at least 2 times more likely to develop many types of heart and cardiovascular diseases.
- Exercise - Exercise goes a long way to help to promote circulation and reduce high blood pressure. Regular exercise reduces the risk of type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular diseases, improves blood pressure, builds stronger muscles/bones, and develops physical and mental well-being.
- Switch to a heart-healthy diet - Eat more fruit, vegetables, and fibre and consume less sodium, fat, sugar, and processed foods. Salt is largely comprised of sodium and a low salt diet can lower blood pressure and the risk of heart disease. Have a look at our tips for reducing a salty diet and consider using low sodium salt like Heart Salt from Nepbio as a healthy alternative to regular salt.
- Get regular check-ups - Visit your GP to stay informed about your blood pressure and manage your heart health.
Start caring for your heart today, and it can begin with switching to a reduced sodium diet with the help of Heart Salt.
As innovators of human nutrition products in Australia, Nepbio has developed Heart Salt, a low sodium salt that is a healthier choice for everyday use. Heart Salt contains 56% less sodium than regular salt and has the same familiar taste without added MSG. It’s the best salt for hypertension and is a perfect preventative measure against heart disease even in healthy individuals.
The key ingredient in Heart Salt is Potassium Chloride, and its consumption is shown to also lower blood pressure. Note: If you have certain kidney conditions, first consult with your doctor to decide if Heart Salt is right for you.
Make the switch and look after your heart without missing out on flavour! Available in Woolworths Supermarkets, and online directly at www.nepbio.com