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How Does Sodium Increase Cardiovascular Disease

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Population Strategies to Decrease Sodium Intake and the Burden of Cardiovascular Disease

Introduction
In our bodies, sodium forms part of the extracellular fluid; and it is important to regulate the water and fluid balance and distribution in the body, active transport of solutes, blood pressure, the balance of acids and bases, as well as nerve and muscle function. We rarely consume too little sodium, instead most people most of the time consume much more sodium than our bodies need. Usually there are so many sources of sodium in our diets that deficiencies are never the major problem. Instead, it s normally having excess sodium in our diets that is most common, and which brings along a host of health problems chiefly raising blood pressure and leading to cardiovascular / heart disease. Many foods and condiments contain sodium including the table salt (sodium chloride) that we use to cook food as well as to marinate, flavor, and preserve food. Other notable sources of sodium in our diets are milk, frozen meals, cheeses (Provolone, Swiss Yellow American, White American, parmesan, ), condiments (pickles, soy sauce, barbecue sauce, ketchup, sauerkraut), deli meats, prepackaged entrees, canned meats and vegetables, …show more content…

All these sources combined lead to a buildup of sodium in our bodies and can quickly reach a toxic level

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