What is the meaning of a low-sodium diet plan?

A low-sodium diet plan helps followers to reduce the amount of salt in their diets. According to WebMD, British studies show that following a low-sodium diet plan lowers the chances of cardiovascular disease by 25 to 30 percent. Reducing salt helps to reduce hypertension, a condition that affects one in three Americans and is a leading cause of heart disease and stroke.

In order to help Americans follow a low-sodium diet plan, the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute developed the DASH eating plan. This diet focuses on reducing salt and fat while increasing fruits, vegetables, fish and other healthy choices. The diet is low in trans-fats and saturated fats but increases the fiber, protein, magnesium and potassium intake. The eating plan includes normal foods as well as recipes for meal preparation. It offers two sodium levels, 2,300 milligrams daily for most followers and 1,500 milligrams daily for those in high-risk groups.

The Colorado State University Extension indicates that many foods naturally contain sodium in low levels, but the primary source of sodium in the human diet comes from table salt. Sodium deficiency is rare in Americans, and less than one teaspoon of salt daily meets the dietary requirement. Reducing sodium also benefits individuals with kidney disease and osteoporosis.