Sodium and the Healthy Plate
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Transcript of Sodium and the Healthy Plate
Sodium and the Healthy Plate
Connie Diekman, M.Ed, RD, LD, FADA
Past President, American Dietetic Association
Director of University Nutrition, Washington University in St. Louis
Who Is ADA? Largest professional association of food and nutrition professionals in the world Founded in 1917 Total membership of more than 68,000
50 states, D.C., Puerto Rico and international affiliates
Headquarters in Chicago D.C. office: ADA’s policy work
Who Are ADA’s 68,000 Members?
Majority are registered dietitians (RD) >50% have graduate degrees
More than 1,500 have earned doctoral or professional degrees
Members also include: Nutritionists who are not RDs Dietetic technicians, registered (DTR) Students Honorary members
Membership Practice Area
Perc
en
t of
Mem
bers
hip
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
Clinical Nutrition
Community Nutrition
Consultation & Business Practice
Food & Nutrition Management
Education
Research
Most ADA Members Are Clinicians
ADA Supports 2005Dietary Guidelines for
Americans
In favor of educational efforts for consumers
Public (governmental) Private (proprietary, industrial)
A total diet approach to communicating food and nutrition information best serves the public
Sodium Essential to Health
Major mineral in the body Maintains fluid balance Regulates blood pressure with potassium and magnesium Transmits nerve impulses Aids muscle relaxation
Sodium Essential to Health
Kidneys regulate sodium levels
Increased salt intake leads to increased sodium loss
Kidney failure to remove excess leads to retention
Sodium Essential to Health
Minimum needed 500 milligrams/day
Dietary Reference Intakes for adults:– Tolerable Upper Limit - 2300 milligrams/day– Adequate Intake - 1500 milligrams/day
ADA Comments to FDA on Sodium
1) Quantitative amounts of sodium be required on front-of-package when sodium claims are made
Facilitate consumer understanding of sodium claims
2) Manufacturers also be allowed to truthfully claim reformulation of products to yield lower sodium on front-of-package
Even if not qualify for sodium content claim Required to provide quantitative amounts on FOP
3) FDA encourage innovation and approval of new salt substitutes additives
4) FDA reduce the amount of sodium allowed in a food when a health claim is made
Disqualifying sodium levels for health claims be consistent with sodium levels to claim a food is “healthy”
Across-the-board reduction of 15%-25% for disqualifying levels of sodium
ADA Comments to FDA on Sodium
How Much Sodium? Current estimates indicate average intake is 3,000 – 4,000 mg/day Scientific evidence does not show a “clear” appropriate intake ADA currently suggests 2,300 mg/day ADA suggests more research on benefit of lower levels
ADA Evidence Analysis Guideline
Evidence process to review science and grade significance
Currently a group is appointed to review science of sodium and health
Evidence Analysis Guidelines
Group has developed questions to ask in reviewing the science
Completion will provide overview of current science and recommendation for intake based on science
Help Americans makeinformed decisions
to build a better diet
Labeling Policy Should…
… always be based on the best scientific evidence with the goal to …
Thank you!