Disease Proof : Disease Proof : Health & Nutrition News & Commentary : Dr. Joel Fuhrman

New research in the Journal of Functional Foods suggests flaxseeds contain amino acids that may help lower blood pressure. The study is a little complicated, but scientists determined a protein in flaxseed meal acts as an ACE-inhibitor, lowering blood pressure and reducing angiotensin. Angiotensin causes blood vessels to contract and induces hypertension. Researchers noted that these proteins have beneficial effects in the kidneys that may also help lower blood pressure; Food Navigator reports.

I eat flaxseeds everyday. Flaxseeds are potent sources of omega-3 essential fatty acids are great sources of iron, zinc, calcium, protein, magnesium, vitamin E and folate, all potent disease-fighters, but flaxseed oil is a drag. According to Dr. Fuhrman, flaxseed oil is nothing but fat and devoid of all the nutrients that make flaxseed so good. Maybe you can use it on a squeaky door.

In related news, previous research has shown salt decreases levels of nitric oxide synthase, an enzyme that reduces blood pressure and all that high blood pressure makes it hard for kids to think.

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It’s drummed into our heads. Salt bad, salt bad, salt bad. But why! A new study in the Journal of Nutrition claims salt decreases levels of an enzyme called nitric oxide synthase (NOS). NOS signals nearby muscles to relax, which improves blood flow and reduces high blood pressure. First, using bovine cells, scientists observed a decrease in NOS activity with an increase in salt concentration and similar results were observed using Chinese hamster ovary cells; Food Navigator reports.

A previous study showed obese people following a low-salt diet for two weeks had improved flow-mediated dilation, i.e. blood vessels ability to relax, and in the United States, cutting salt by just 1 gram could lower the number of new heart disease cases by 250,000.

In addition to heart-risks, Dr. Fuhrman explains eating too much salt over-stimulates taste buds resulting in an inability to detect subtle flavors in food, specifically fresh fruits and vegetables.

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Salt is in everything! We all know that. And now a new study highlighted at the American Heart Association's Cardiovascular Disease Epidemiology and Prevention annual conference claims cutting salt just a little, only 1 gram, could result in 250,000 fewer new cases of heart disease. Experts say Americans consume 50% more salt than we did 40 years ago, between 9 to 12 grams of salt a day, most of it coming from processed food. Their research model determined 800,000 "life years" could be saved for every gram of salt eliminated from our diets; HealthDay News reports.

And here’s a pair of coincidental studies. Presented at the American Heart Association's Conference of the Council High Blood Pressure Research, scientists reported that cutting salt can help control high-blood pressure. Then in February research in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition showed that a low-salt diet lowers systolic blood pressure and improves the ability of blood vessels to widen.

In related news, earlier research revealed people with metabolic syndrome have increased sensitivity to salt and higher blood pressure and a British study determined individuals who lowered salt intake were 25% less likely to develop heart disease. Long story short, don’t eat salt. Uh, duh!

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Irish consumers aren’t paying attention. A new survey by Ireland’s Nutrition and Health Foundation claims 61% of men and 40% of females never read nutrition labels before making a purchase. Experts questioned 536 people in local supermarkets and determined only 32% of those surveyed knew the difference between salt and sodium and only 10% understood the difference between energy and calories; Food Navigator reports.

Read nutrition facts carefully. Labels on many processed foods, like potato chips, are deceptive and sometimes contain too much salt even though they say sodium or contain trans-fat when the package reads trans-fat free. Scoundrels!

Ireland is consumed with national health, especially obesity. The government wants to limit the amount of Subway sandwich shops, saying their food is too high in calories.

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