38. Using reduced-sodium salt might decrease the risk of heart attack and stroke
Dr. David Geier is an orthopedic surgeon and sports medicine specialist in Charleston, South Carolina and Charlotte, North Carolina. He helps athletes and active people feel and perform their best, regardless of age, injuries and medical history. He has been featured in major media publications and shows over 2,500 times throughout his career.
Over 100 million people in this country have high blood pressure, which gives them a significant risk of a future heart attack or stroke. Medical experts have long believed that consuming too much sodium contributes to this risk. A new study of over 20,000 Chinese adults with high risk of stroke were instructed to substitute reduced-sodium salt for regular table salt. The researchers found that consuming reduced-sodium salt significantly lowered the rate of cardiovascular events and deaths over the next five years. The typical American diet greatly exceeds the recommended daily limit of 2,300 milligrams for healthy people, and 1,500 milligrams for those with high blood pressure. Simply switching to low-sodium salt might be an easy way to improve your health.
Through the stories of a dozen athletes whose injuries and recovery advanced the field (including Joan Benoit, Michael Jordan, Brandi Chastain, and Tommy John), Dr. Geier explains how sports medicine makes sports safer for the pros, amateurs, student-athletes, and weekend warriors alike.
