Do people who restrict salt have lower rates of heart attacks?
Actually, a recent study found that Americans who consumed the currently-recommended 2,300 mg/day of sodium had a 37 percent higher chance of dying from heart attacks. Researchers from Albert Einstein Medical School analyzed the Second United States National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey and found that evidence linking sodium intake to mortality outcomes is scant and inconsistent (American Journal of Medicine, March 2006).
The results are surprising because a high-salt diet can cause some people to develop high blood pressure, which increases a person?s chances of suffering heart attacks and strokes. Most medical authorities will continue to recommend diets low in salt, but salt itself is probably not the culprit. They recommend a plant-based diet that is low in meats and processed foods. Processed foods are loaded with salt because salt makes foods taste better and helps to prolong the shelf life of certain foods. Meats are naturally rich in salt. Fruits, vegetables, whole grains, beans, seeds and nuts are naturally low in salt, and even if home cooks add some salt during preparation, they will contain far less salt than typical processed foods.
Are statin drugs the best way to lower cholesterol?
The Treatment to New Targets (TNT) study reported at the 2005 meeting of the American College of Cardiology showed that very high doses of 80 mg per day of Lipitor lower cholesterol far better than lower doses, and reduce the rate of heart attacks and strokes by 29 percent. This study shows that your doctor should try to lower blood levels of the bad LDL cholesterol as much as possible, probably to below 75. Statin drugs such as Lipitor usually don?t cause many serious side effects, but they can cause muscle pains, particularly in heavy exercisers.
On the basis of this latest research, doctors are encouraged to treat people at high risk for heart attacks with diet and high doses of statin drugs. Pe! ople wit h high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and diabetes are at the highest risks. All people at increased risk for heart attacks should try to restrict saturated and partially hydrogenated fats and refined carbohydrates, and base their diet on plants: fruits, vegetables, whole grains, beans and other seeds..
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Dr. Gabe Mirkin has been a radio talk show host for 25 years and practicing physician for more than 40 years; he is board certified in four specialties, including sports medicine. Read or listen to hundreds of his fitness and health reports at http://www.DrMirkin.com
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