What is sodium to my body? Sodium is a mineral that’s essential for life. It’s regulated in the body by your kidneys, and it helps control your body’s fluid balance. It also helps send nerve impulses and affects muscle function. How does sodium affect my heart health? When there’s extra sodium in your bloodstream, it pulls water into your blood vessels, increasing the total amount (volume) of blood inside your blood vessels. With more blood flowing through your blood vessels, blood pressure increases. It’s like turning up the waterRead More

The Salt Controversy Should You Put That Shaker Away? By Cynthia Herrick , MD Salt (also known as sodium) is everywhere! Not limited to the salt shaker, it is already present or, more often, added into many food products we buy or prepare. So if salt is everywhere, why the concerns about salt? Let’s review what is known about salt and its effects on your health. Why Worry About Salt? Many people think salt is essential to the flavor of food. We crave salty foods because they taste good. Unfortunately,Read More

Here’s what happens when you trade the fake food for the real deal. Everyone has heard the phrase “processed foods” by now, but many people don’t really know what life would be like without them. Here’s a hint: Your health, mood, and appearance will improve—dramatically! Processed foods are chemical-laden, addictive foods usually sold in jars, boxes, and bags, and armies of well-paid food scientists make it their missions to come up with recipes that appeal to your taste buds, even if it means causing havoc to your health. “These foods areRead More