Wellnews by Scott LaFee

You consume too much salt. I can say that with confidence because, according to the U.S. Center for Disease Control and Prevention, 9 out of 10 Americans do.

In the CDCs latest Vital Signs report, the federal health agency finds that 10 types of common food (primarily processed) are responsible for almost half of people's sodium intake. They are breads and rolls and luncheon meats such as deli ham or turkey. Pizza, poultry, soups, cheeseburgers and other sandwiches as well as cheese, pasta dishes and meat dishes such as meat loaf, not to mention snack foods, like bags of potato chips, pretzels and popcorn are also on the list.

Foods such as bread get a bad rap because while individual servings aren't necessarily high in sodium, most Americans have multiple servings per day. It all adds up — to increased disease risk.

"Too much sodium raises blood pressure, which is a major risk factor for heart disease and stroke," said Dr. Thomas R. Frieden, the CDC's director. "These diseases kill more than 800,000 Americans each year and contribute an estimated $273 billion in health care costs."

According to the CDC study, the average American consumes about 3,300 milligrams of sodium per day, not including any salt added at the table. That's more than twice the recommended limit for about half of Americans and 6 of every 10 adults. The U.S. Dietary Guidelines recommend limiting sodium intake to less than 2,300 milligrams per day; 1,500 milligrams per day for people aged 51 and older or anyone with high blood pressure, diabetes, chronic kidney disease, and African-Americans.

Do not take this recommendation with a grain of salt. The CDC estimates that if Americans reduced their sodium intake just 10 percent, it would save more than 28,000 lives annually.

BODY OF KNOWLEDGE

In chemical terms, the substance human blood most resembles is seawater.

GET ME THAT.

STAT!

The total lifetime estimated financial costs associated with just one year of confirmed cases of child maltreatment (physical abuse, sexual abuse, psychological abuse and neglect) is approximately $124 billion, according to a report released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

NUMBER CRUNCHER

A cup of sunflower seeds, edible hulls included, contains 269 calories, 213 from fat. It has 23.7 grams of total fat or 36 percent of the recommended total fat intake for a 2,000-calorie daily diet.

It also contains zero cholesterol; 4 mg of sodium (less than 1 percent); 9.2 grams of total carbohydrates (3 percent); 4 grams of dietary fiber and 9.6 grams of protein.

COUNTS

4,500 — Estimated number of children sent to hospitals annually due to abuse

300 — Number who die from their injuries

Source: Yale University

DOC TALK

Dose sponge — a radiology worker

PHOBIA OF THE WEEK

Koumpounophobia — fear of buttons

NEVER SAY DIET

The world's speed-eating record for cabbage is 6 pounds, 9 ounces in 9 minutes, held by Charles Hardy.

BEST MEDICINE

After years with a psychiatrist, a man who thought he was a dog was declared cured. A friend asked him how he felt. The former patient replied, "Fine! Just feel my nose."

OBSERVATION

"Half the modern drugs could well be thrown out the window except that the birds might eat them."

— German-American physician and author Martin Fischer (1879-1962)

LAST WORDS

"Only you have ever understood me. And you got it wrong."

— German philosopher Georg Friedrich Wilhelm Hegel (1770-1831) to his favorite student

To find out more about Scott LaFee and read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate website at www.creators.com.

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