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!