There has been a recorded increase in the number of young people being diagnosed with hypertension and high blood pressure in Ekurhuleni in recent months.<\/p>\n
Ekurhuleni health practitioners have attributed these worrying developments mainly to a high-level intake of salt.<\/p>
During National Salt Awareness Week (which took place between March 12 and 18) the manager for non-communicable diseases for the metro, Angie Ndhambi, strongly urged residents, young and old, to adopt the recommended daily intake limit of 5gs of salt as part of their lifestyle.<\/p>\n
\u201cFamilies should ensure that they remove salt shakers from their dining tables to ensure that the young members of their families use less salt and allow their taste buds to adapt to foods that are not seasoned with salt,\u201d Ndhambi said.<\/p>
<\/p>\n
ALSO READ:<\/span><\/p>\n Autumn season health and fitness tips<\/a><\/p>\n Elderly encouraged to keep a close watch of their health<\/a><\/p>\n <\/p>\n The health practitioner further stressed that adding raw salt to cooked food is more detrimental and can lead to high blood pressure, which is a leading cause of cardiovascular disease.<\/p>\n However, this non-communicable disease can be prevented by adopting the following lifestyle changes:<\/p>\n \u2022 Using herbs, spices, garlic, chillies or lemon to season food instead of salt.<\/p>\n \u2022 Staying away from takeaways such as fried chicken as they have large quantities of salt.<\/p>\n \u2022 Eat more fruits and vegetables as they contain minerals.<\/p>\n \u2022 Check food labels and consume foods with less sodium.<\/p>\n Ekurhuleni residents are strongly urged to take action in fighting non-communicable diseases and to visit their nearest primary healthcare facilities across the city.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Have a story?<\/strong><\/p>\n Contact the newsroom by emailing: Melissa Hart (Editor)\u00a0<\/span>germistoncitynews@caxton.co.za <\/a><\/strong>or Leigh Hodgson (News Editor)\u00a0<\/span>leighh@caxton.co.za<\/a>\u00a0<\/strong>or\u00a0Kgotsofalang Mashilo (journalist) kgotsofalangm@caxton.co.za<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n Remember to visit the Germiston City News on the following social media platforms:<\/p>\n Facebook<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n Twitter<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n Instagram<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n YouTube\u00a0<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n Or add the GCN on\u00a0<\/b><\/span>WhatsApp 079 406 1181<\/strong>\u00a0<\/span>or\u00a0BBM (BBM Pin: 7F102137)<\/strong>\u00a0<\/b><\/span>today, to get all the latest news.<\/p>\n Catch-up on more local news with our sister newspapers\u00a0<\/span>Bedfordview Edenvale News<\/a><\/strong>,\u00a0<\/span>Alberton Record<\/a><\/strong>\u00a0and\u00a0<\/span>Kempton Express<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n