APRIL , Salt, Fruits and Veggies

IN THE NEWS SALT SENSITIVITY COULD INCREASE RISK OF HEART DISEASE Study conclusion: People who experience a jump in blood pressure when they consume salt are at increased risk of dying from heart disease, according to a study published in the Feb. 16, 2001 supplemental issue of Hypertension, a journal of the American Heart Association.

* The study's findings highlight the potential effects of dietary salt on long-term health.

* Even salt-sensitive individuals with initially normal blood pressure are at risk, according to the study.

* Researchers analyzed medical data from about 600 people ages 18 to 80. The initial analysis showed nearly 40% of the group had high blood pressure and 50% were salt sensitive. About 21% died of cardiovascular or other causes during the 25-year study. Individuals who were deemed salt sensitive and initially had normal blood pressure were just as likely to have died as those with high blood pressure.

* The researchers estimate that 26% of Americans with normal blood pressure and about 58% of those with high blood pressure may be salt sensitive.

* The researchers recommend reducing processed food consumption to cut down daily salt intake to 2,400 mg (slightly more than 1 tsp). This includes limiting intake of processed foods such as luncheon meats, canned vegetables, and prepared cheeses.

FRUITS AND VEGGIES DON'T SUPPLY AS MUCH VITAMIN A AS ORIGINALLY BELIEVED Study conclusion 1: Dark-colored fruits and vegetables, such as carrots, sweet potatoes, and broccoli, provide only half the vitamin A originally thought, according to a new report on Dietary Reference Intakes (DRIs) from the National Academies' Institute of Medicine.

Study conclusion 2: The report establishes new DRIs and upper limits (ULs) for numerous nutrients.

* Ensuring a sufficient vitamin E intake is especially important for people who don't eat meat, fish, eggs, or vitamin A-fortified milk or cereal.

* The DRI report is the fifth in a series that updates and expands on the Recommended Dietary Allowances (RDAs) in the U.S. and the Recommended Nutrient Intakes (RNIs) in Canada.

* DRIs not only establish recommended daily intakes for maintaining health, but also tolerable upper intake levels (ULs).

* In addition to vitamin A, the report examines the nutritional value of the micronutrients vitamin K, arsenic, boron, chromium, copper, iodine, iron, manganese, molybdenum, nickel, silicon, vanadium, and zinc. It sets a daily maximum level of intake for vitamin A as well as for boron, copper, iodine, iron, manganese, molybdenum, nickel, vanadium, and zinc. Specific recommended intakes are given for vitamins A and K, chromium, copper, iodine, iron, manganese, molybdenum, and zinc.

* The report recommends the following intakes of key nutrients:

--Vitamin A: 900 mcg daily for men; 700 mcg for women. The upper limit (UL) was set at 3 mg per day.

--Vitamin K: 120 mcg for men and 90 mcg for women. No upper limit was established.

--Chromium: 35 mcg for men and 25 mcg for women. No UL was set.

--Copper: 900 mcg a day for men and women. The UL is set at 10 mg.

--Iodine: 150 mcg a day for men and women. The UL is set for 1.1 mg.

--Iron: 8 mg per day for men and postmenopausal women; 18 mg for premenopausal women. Pregnant women can consume 27 mg per day. Women who breast-feed and are not menstruating should take 9 mg a day; adolescents who breast-feed should take 10 mg daily. The UL is 45 mg a day for adults.

--Manganese: 2.3 mg per day for men and 1.8 mg per day for women. The UL is set at 11 mg for adults.

--Molybdenum: 45 mcg per day for both men and women. The UL is 2 mg.

--Zinc: 11 mg per day for men and 8 mg per day for women. The UL is 40 mg for adults.

--Arsenic, boron, nickel, silicon, and vanadium. No recommended intakes established. UL set at 20 mg for boron, 1.8 mg of vanadium, 1 mg of nickel. Although arsenic in chemical forms is known as a toxic element, not enough data exists on chronic intakes at lower levels from food and supplements to set a UL. Data also were lacking upon which to base a UL for silicon.

* The report also stated that high priority should be given to research on micronutrients, as there has been a lack of research aimed at studying the role of these micronutrients and optimum health.