Too much salt is killing us

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I have been hearing for years that some salt is good, but too much salt is killing us -- that too much salt  is bad for the heart, the nerves, will raise the blood pressure, will make the veins pop and bleed. There have been scientific reports over the years warning against the intake of too much salt, that it leads to hypertension, heart attacks, strokes. Most of the salt Americans consume is in processed food. Yesterday, press reports stated that the Food and Drug Administration, (FDA),  had finally drawn up a plan to cut sodium levels in processed food over a ten year period. In today's press report two members of Congress said ten years would take too long, people are dying today, and that this is a "public health crisis," and the FDA must move fast to respond to it.

"I understand they want to do it in a phased kind of a deal, but I don't want it to be too long," said Sen. Tom Harkin (D-Iowa), chairman of the Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee. "This is crying out for change that's long overdue." Rep. Rosa DeLauro (D-Conn.) agreed, saying in a conference call with Harkin and reporters: "I don't want this to take 10 years . . . This is a public health crisis." 


Well, I agree with the Senator and the Congresslady, ten years? For what? Some of the food processors are already limiting the salt content of their products. Others are dragging their tails for what reason? For no good reason.