{"id":188,"date":"2018-08-27T10:59:04","date_gmt":"2018-08-27T17:59:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.csun.edu\/nutritionexperts\/?p=188"},"modified":"2018-08-27T13:25:19","modified_gmt":"2018-08-27T20:25:19","slug":"how-sodium-relates-to-making-healthy-lifestyle-changes","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.csun.edu\/nutritionexperts\/2018\/08\/27\/how-sodium-relates-to-making-healthy-lifestyle-changes\/","title":{"rendered":"How Sodium Relates to Making Healthy Lifestyle Changes"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"Heart

Image: Jamie Street\/Unsplash<\/p><\/div>\n

By Laura Ann Horwitz, CSUN DPD* Student<\/span><\/p>\n

This is the fourth article in the series on Sodium<\/em>. The first two articles centered on foods that contribute to a high Sodium<\/em> diet<\/a>, and how to reduce Sodium <\/em>when eating on campus<\/a> (or eating out). The third article concentrated on Sodium<\/em> as it relates to health<\/a>. In our last article, we\u2019ll explore how to implement healthy lifestyle changes, which include lowering your sodium intake.<\/p>\n

In our younger years, especially when we are on the go as students, or busy paving the way towards a career, we may not think about our overall well-being in regard to the future. High blood pressure (aka hypertension) strikes one in every three adults; it is often referred to as a \u201csilent killer\u201d — countless people are unaware they have high blood pressure since it often has no symptoms or warning signs.1<\/sup>\u00a0Family history plays a part in genetic predisposition to disease risks, though it is not always an exact cause.2<\/sup> Experts have not yet cured hypertension, but once diagnosed, it can be controlled.3 \u00a0<\/sup>While altering your genetic constitution is not possible, it IS <\/em>possible to make changes to your environmental and lifestyle factors. What you put in your body today, whether you are 25 years old, 50 years old or 75 years old, will make a difference in your health today, tomorrow or many years from now. It is never too late to implement a healthier lifestyle. And today, the prevalence of hypertension is found across all age levels, genders and ethnicities.3<\/sup><\/p>\n

High sodium in your diet is a known risk factor for developing heart disease, ranked as the number one cause of death among men and women throughout the world.4\u00a0 \u00a0<\/sup>While several major minerals affect hypertension, sodium was among earliest to be identified as having a direct connection to hypertension.5\u00a0 <\/sup>Studies ranging across numerous age levels in various population groups have consistently shown that there is a correlation between reducing sodium in your diet and lowering blood pressure levels.5<\/sup> \u00a0You can begin lowering your risk factors today by developing healthy lifestyle habits that include implementing a nutritious eating plan, incorporating physical activity into your daily routine and reducing the amount of sodium you eat on a daily basis.<\/p>\n

The suggestions given in the article 10 Tips to Reduce Sodium When Eating\u00a0on Campus<\/a>\u00a0can apply to eating at home as well as in restaurants, on campus or just about anywhere if you make it part of your eating routine. Make wise food choices (choose fresh over pre-packaged). Peruse and compare Nutrition Facts Labels (choose lower sodium options). Become choosy about the foods you eat, aiming toward utilizing the no salt, low, very low, reduced or light sodium guidelines given in the previous blog article. Educate yourself about sodium — you can start by reading some of the references used to compile this series on sodium. The Centers for Disease Control<\/a> (CDC), the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute<\/a> (NHLBI), the American Heart Association\/American Stroke Association<\/a> (AHA\/ASA) and the Food and Drug Association<\/a> (FDA, a part of the U. S. Department of Health and Human Services) all have excellent information on their websites about Sodium. A list of helpful websites can be found at the end of this article.<\/p>\n

The Dietary Guidelines for Americans<\/em> were co-developed by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the Department of Agriculture to help professionals in the health field educate the general public to make healthier food choices in their daily diets.6<\/sup> Currently in its 8th<\/sup> edition, the guidelines recommend maintaining a healthy eating standard, which should include consuming:<\/strong><\/p>\n