Why it's not a sin to use salt

Hypertension is a silent killer. It heightens one’s risk for cardiovascular disease (CVD) and stroke that could ultimately lead to death.

“An estimated 17.5 million people died of CVDs in 2005, representing 30 percent of all global deaths,” says the World Health Organization (WHO). “Of these deaths,” WHO continues, “an estimated 7.6 million were due to coronary heart disease and 5.7 million were due to stroke.” 

In the Philippines, an estimated 122,400 lives were claimed by CVDs in 2002. In a study published in The Philippine Journal of Neurology, Dr. Navarro observes that stroke affects 486 out of 100,000 Filipinos. That is roughly half a million of us.

Despite these figures, many Filipinos still do not understand the disease and, therefore, fail to respond to it appropriately.

In an effort to raise awareness on hypertension, Pansalt initiated a World Heart Day celebration at the Harbor Square of the CCP complex last Sept. 28. It gathered men and women for aerobic exercise and free consultations with Radio Veritas’s doctor ng bayan Dr. Rey Salinel. 

“Heart disease and stroke remain the top killers in the Philippines. This is attributable to an unhealthy lifestyle and probably a lack of awareness on their prevention,” comments Dr. Salinel. 

However, hypertension can be controlled and prevented, and therefore its complications like heart disease and stroke can also be averted. The cures lie in regular exercise, proper rest, and healthy eating. 

Dr. Salinel gave the following tips at the World Heart Day celebration:

• Make it a habit to check your blood pressure and pulse regularly. The top number of your blood pressure should be less than 140 while a normal pulse rate ranges between 66 and 82. If your figures are higher than these, consult your doctor.

• Watch your weight. If you are overweight, take steps to lose the extra pounds.

• Use your heart. Do aerobic exercises to lower blood pressure and prevent hypertension.

• Put out that cigarette. Cigarettes have no health benefits and only increase your risk of stroke.

• Get ample rest. Get a good night’s sleep and avoid stress.

• Eat healthy. Increase your intake of high-fiber foods such as fruits and vegetables. Stay away from high-sodium and fatty foods.

You need not remove salt completely from your diet, though. There is a way to salt your dishes without compromising taste. Pansalt is real salt but has 43 percent less sodium and is virtually devoid of the harmful effects of common salt. It is ideal for hypertensives, stroke patients, and the health-conscious who love food, but will not forego flavor. Developed in Finland by health experts, it has also been found to improve the therapeutic effects of treatment drugs for high blood pressure and is virtually devoid of the harmful effects of common salt.

Pansalt is available in leading supermarkets and drugstores and is distributed by Accord International, Inc. For more information, visit www.pansalt.ph or call 531-4881 to 86.