Heart Health Blog

Every person who is watching their sodium knows how difficult shopping can be. We walk down the aisle picking up every can and jar to read the nutrition label. We drive from store to store, or order online, to get the few low-sodium products that are available. Packages proudly proclaim that that are gluten-free, nut-free,… Continue reading Together We Can Make Shopping Healthier

While this special day is largely ignored, it carries an important message. We need to cut back on salt! Heart disease is the #1 cause of death in the United States and other developed countries, and excess sodium is a leading contributor. The USDA recommends a daily limit of 2,300 mg of sodium. (Most other… Continue reading August 29 is “More Herbs, Less Salt” Day

For people trying to reduce their salt intake for better heart health, it’s hard to believe that salt just isn’t necessary. Clearly, sodium occurs naturally in many foods. There is ample sodium to meet our dietary needs in fruits, vegetables, grains, and meats. But somehow, we can’t resist adding more salt. The USDA recommends a… Continue reading A Very Short History of Salt

For people who are trying to watch their sodium, shopping can be very difficult. It’s very important to learn how to read nutrition labels, but it’s still convenient to look at the information on the front of the package! Fortunately, the FDA has created specific definitions for the terms that can be used on packages… Continue reading What Does “Low Sodium” Mean?

Americans consume far too much salt. The FDA recommends a daily limit of 2,300 mg per day (1,500 mg or less for people with heart problems), but the average American consumes 3,400 mg per day. Excess salt is a major contributor to health problems. Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United… Continue reading FDA Establishes New Voluntary Guidelines for Salt

Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States. Nearly half of all Americans have some form of caridovascular disease, and over 30 million have been diagnosed with heart disease. A leading cause of this health crisis is high sodium diets. According to the CDC, 90% of Americans eat more than the… Continue reading Promoting Low Sodium Cooking on TV

According to the US Food and Drug Administration, an average person (who consumes 2,000 calories per day) should have a maximum of 2,300 mg of sodium. People with heart problems are typically restricted to 1,500 mg or less, and many heart specialists recommend that everyone stay well below 2,300 mg. Some people believe that the… Continue reading Sea Salt, Himalayan Salt, and Table Salt

Particle pollution – also known as particulate matter or PM – is a general term for a mixture of tiny solid or liquid particles suspended in the air. Particle pollution may come from power plants, industries, automobiles, wood stoves, fireplaces, furnaces, and wildfires. In indoor settings, smoking, cooking, sweeping, dusting, or vacuuming can cause particle… Continue reading Pollution and Heart Health

Want to quickly calculate the heart health score of a product, meal, or meal kit? Try our new Heart Health Calculator! The calculator takes into account the levels of saturated fat and sodium – two of the biggest contributors to heart disease.

A Lipid panel is a simple and inexpensive blood test that evaluates the risk for developing atherosclerosis (arterial plaque) and coronary heart disease. A Lipid panel test includes: Total Cholesterol, Triglycerides, HDL Cholesterol, LDL Cholesterol, Total Cholesterol/HDL Ratio. You don’t need a doctor’s order to get a Lipid panel. You can order the test yourself… Continue reading Assess Your Heart Risk with a Lipid Panel

Have questions about heart health, or things you’d like to share? Visit our Facebook Heart Health Forum at: facebook.com/groups/hearthealthforum