New studies continue to provide important evidence that excess
sodium promotes structural and functional impairment of the
heart, blood vessels, and kidneys. Over time, these impairments
usually progress to severe diseases, cardiac failure, end-stage
renal disease, and death. When the American Heart Association
(AHA), issued a sodium reduction advisory in 2011, that prompted
six other independent studies to be conducted. In 2011, the AHA
recommended that all US adults maintain a sodium intake of not
more than 1500 mg/d. Generally speaking, most US adults consume
more than twice that level of salt daily. Children ages 1-3
years should have less than 1,000 mg/d daily, and children ages
4-8 years of age should consume less than 1,200 mg/d daily. The
six studies did not agree with the AHA’s recommendations and
claimed inconsistencies in the AHA’s report. One study even
suggested that low sodium intake was as unhealthy as a high
sodium intake diet. Undeterred, the AHA decided to investigate
the six studies that co