First Baptist Nashville has a Rapid Response Team of health care providers, led by Jason Jean, which assists the church proactively and reactively in matters of life safety and health. Each week a member of this team is present at times of church gatherings to assist members and guests with safety and health provisions.
From time to time, this team will provide health tips in order to encourage our congregation to healthy living disciplines. I Corinthians 6:19-20 says, "...your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you...therefore glorify God in your body."
Hold the Salt, Please!
Excess intake of sodium chloride has an important and probably predominant role in the development of raised blood pressure. On average, as salt intake increases, blood pressure increases. The importance of this cannot be overstated; the evidence is indisputable.
Several medical studies have estimated the benefits of reducing NaCl intake to 5 grams, or less, daily.
One study estimated that across 23 countries with a high burden of chronic disease, 850,000 lives would be saved each year from a reduction in salt intake to 5 grams daily.
Another analysis reported that an average daily intake of 5.8 grams NaCl (2300 g sodium; the recommended upper limit in the US) would reduce the prevalence of hypertension by 11 million, save $18 billion in health care costs, and gain 312,000 quality adjusted life years.
Other studies demonstrate a higher salt intake is associated with increased incidence of stroke.
Salt is a neglected aspect of the healthy diet. Few individuals calculate their salt intake. They pay less attention to salt than to fats and calories.
Additionally, those of us who eat commercially-prepared foods face difficulties in reducing salt intake. Ideally, to reduce salt intake food must be prepared at home, and the salt shaker removed from the table.
