Federal Govt Warns Nigerians: Reduce Your Salt Intake Or …

The Federal Government has sent out a warning to Nigerians to reduce their salt intake, failing which they should prepared for the severe health consequences.

The caution is a major fallout of a nationwide campaign under the auspices of the Federal Ministry of Health

According to it, there is increasing incidence of cardiovascular disease in the country and this is traceable to high salt intake.

Mr Victor Osuagwu, Scientific Officer at the Department of Food and Drug Services of the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, made this clear Wednesday, during an outreach programme at Oke Arin Market in Lagos.

Lamenting that many Nigerians did not even read the labels of the things they bought, he particularized on the level of salt intake by Nigerians, asserting:

“We are trying to create awareness to public on what the Federal Ministry of Health is doing on the initiative that we are taking in trying to reduce salt.

“We are also making people aware of the dangers of excessive salt intake.”

“We are trying to do it step by step, until every Nigerian is aware”, he said.

His points were underscored by health advocate and brand ambassador for Centre for Communication and Social Impact  (CCSI), Dr Olawale Ogulana, who also expressed concern on the level of consumption of seasonings cubes which are high on sodium according to Ogunlana, there is a link between this practice and the increasing incidence of hypertension in the country.

“We are not saying that your meals should not be tasty, but it shouldn’t be with high levels of sodium, because that in itself will put us at risk”.

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“As a medical doctor, I will encourage using natural spices in your meals.

“Elevated salt consumption is a risk factor for hypertension or high blood pressure”, he said, listing other effects of high consumption of salt.

These according to him, include:

1. hypertension,
2. stroke and
3. Kidney damage.

Aside checking food labels before consumption, Nigerians he advised, should generally reduce daily intake of the aforementioned elements in their own health interests.

He referred to the World Health Organisation, saying that the global health body has a recommendation of no more than five grams of salt, about a teaspoon as daily consumption.

The Eagle reports that the sensitisation programme was held in collaboration with the Centre for Communication and Social Impact (CCSI).