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Research suggests that, on average, Americans consume about 3,400 mg of sodium daily, which is almost 50 percent more than the recommended limit of 2,300 mg. Because most of that sodium is found in processed and restaurant foods, as opposed to the salt shaker, the FDA is focusing its efforts on the food industry. The agency is accepting public comment on its goals. You can share your thoughts with the FDA on its website. Short-term goals call for daily average consumption to reach 3,000 mg in two years and 2,300 mg in 10 years.

One of the other differences youll notice is in the listing of vitamins, minerals and other nutrients. Calcium and iron will still be listed, but they will be joined by potassium and vitamin D. Vitamins A and C will no longer be required, but may be added voluntarily by the manufacturer. Deficiencies in vitamins A and C are rare, but research suggests that vitamin D and potassium are very important to general nutrition, but that many people dont get enough of them.

Confusion also swirls around vitamin K and warfarin. Vitamin K is found in many foods, including leafy green vegetables, such as kale and spinach. Dr. Cho notes that too much vitamin K may reduce the effectiveness of warfarin. However, the foods rich in vitamin K are also part of a heart-healthy diet. She suggests that if you have questions about how much vitamin K is safe, or about any aspect of warfarin therapy, you should talk with your doctor.

Restoring normal rhythm led to improved exercise capacity, Dr. Elshazly says. This (study) provides mechanistic evidence that a rhythmcontrol strategy may potentially improve peak exercise capacity and survival, a finding that requires future prospective appraisal in this patient population.

Two recent studies have underscored the importance of fitness in lowering your odds of dying of a heart attack and of developing depression following an MI. In one study, based on the Henry Ford Exercise Testing (FIT) Project, researchers found that heart attack victims who had greater fitness levels were significantly more likely to survive the events and have more successful recoveries. The other study, published in the American Journal of Medicine, found that individuals who exercised regularly before having a heart attack were much less likely to to be diagnosed with depression compared with heart attack patients who seldom, if ever, exercised.

You know a heart-healthy diet includes plenty of fruits and vegetables, but that leaves a lot of options to choose from in your stores produce section. A recent study in BMJ actually identifies the types of flavonoids and their dietary sources that are best for preventing weight gain over time.

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