I found these tips about sodium, blood pressure and weight/exercise, and sleep in Good Housekeeping July 2009. These tips in particular either have to do with some statistics I found astounding or pertain to certain family members.
SODIUM
The American Heart Assoc. calculated that is we all cut back sodium 400mg, there would be 250,000 fewer heart disease cases and 200,000- plus fewer deaths over the next 10 years. Stepping on the scale will be less scary too. “Sodium makes you retain water, when there’s less in your body, you’ll lost fluid,” says Norman Kaplan M.D. professor of internal medicine at UT South-western Medical Center.
BLOOD PRESSURE, WEIGHT, and EXERCISE
People who cut back on salt usually eat more fresh foods. Toss in exercise and you’ll naturally be losing weight. “You can expect blood pressure to fall one point for every pound you lose,” says Dr. Kaplan. And sometimes more: “I lost 10 pounds and my pressure went down 15 points,” he adds.
SLEEP
Sleep 10% more. Sleep isn’t like pulling the car into the garage and turning off the engine,” says James Walsh, PhD, executive director of the Sleep Medicine and Research Center at St. Luke’s Hospital in Chesterfield, MO. “Sleep actively restores the brain and body, including the immune system.” People who snagged less than 7 hours sleep were nearly 3x more likely to catch a cold after being exposed to viruses than well-rested souls who averaged 8 or more hours of sleep. Getting 8 hours can also help protect you from high blood pressure, heart disease, diabetes, and help keep your weight down. (Personal note on weight * "Because you’re not awake to eat!").
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