![\"\"](\"http:\/\/blueheronhealthnews.com\/site\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/04\/Salt_Deaths.jpg\" "\\"Salt_Deaths\\"")
In a study recently released out of Harvard Medical School, researchers looked again at the relationship between high blood pressure, heart disease, and stroke to a common (and necessary) food ingredient, used all over the world in almost every culture.<\/p>\n
The researchers warn to consider seriously cutting back on this ingredient that we actually can\u2019t live without.<\/p>\n
The combined deaths due to heart attack, stroke, heart failure, and other cardiovascular disease have been linked directly to hypertension, or high blood pressure. <\/p>\n
One of the biggest culprits that doctors like to blame is high sodium.<\/p>\n
For this reason, and for decades, many people who are hypertensive are placed on salt-restricted diet in the hope that the negative effects can be avoided.<\/p>\n
Authors of the study assert that a global outreach initiative is desperately needed to limit the intake of salt, noting that at least 1 in 10 heart-related deaths could have been avoided if salt were not a factor.<\/p>\n
Countries listed with the highest numbers of what scientists call \u201csalt-related\u201d deaths were Ukraine, Egypt, and Russia. The US, surprisingly, didn\u2019t even make it to the top ten. The US was number 19 in a list of 30.<\/p>\n
The Achilles heel of the study is that it did not mention the role processed food plays, or if consuming the same amount of salt from a processed meal would be any different than fresh food seasoned with sea salt.<\/p>\n
Many doctors argue that sodium is sodium, and too much of it is the problem no matter what form it takes. <\/p>\n
The verdict is still out there on this one. What do you think? Please leave your comment below.<\/p>\n